Final answer:
Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley from Edith Wharton's 'Roman Fever' share a deep secret which is the foundation of the story's drama. The narratives provided reference various themes like friendship dynamics, secrecy, social norms, and reform movements, exhibiting complex character interactions and historical contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley, characters from Edith Wharton's Roman Fever, have several things in common, but the correct answer to the student's question is (b) they share a deep secret. Both women harbored feelings for the same man and the secret revolves around a clandestine meeting that Mrs. Ansley had with him, unbeknownst to Mrs. Slade. This secret and the tension it generates form the crux of the story's dramatic turns.
Regarding Twyla and Roberta from Toni Morrison's Recitatif, the complexities of their personal histories, racial identities, and social contexts prevent them from maintaining their friendship throughout their lives.
The quote involving Jane and her silent women is from Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage, where Jane's household staff is involved in secretive actions, likely against her. This passage illustrates themes of betrayal and secrecy.
In the scenario involving Marjorie and Bernice, we see social dynamics at play in F. Scott Fitzgerald's Bernice Bobs Her Hair. The two cousins have different perspectives on female friendships and social interactions, with Marjorie considering most girls and Bernice desiring traditional feminine camaraderie.
The passage about bird collecting references Sarah Orne Jewett's A White Heron, where a guest expresses his enthusiasm for ornithology to Mrs. Tilley, highlighting different attitudes towards nature and the potential for conflict between collection and preservation.
The conversation between Claire and Elizabeth hints at peer influence and societal expectations of women from an unspecified text. It suggests themes of conformity and the individual's relation to societal norms.
Sarah and Angelina Grimké were influential figures in both the abolitionist and women's rights movements. Their actions, inspired by personal experiences and profound moral beliefs, mark significant contributions to social reform and highlight the interconnected nature of various forms of oppression.