Question

The narrator describes the leader of the fruitlands community as follows: 'Mr. Fruitlands___________was absorbed in solar experiences, as was collecting the sun's rays, by means of a burning-glass, in a most wonderful manner.' This description of Mr. Fruitlands primarily serves to:

1) Highlight Mr. Fruitlands' scientific knowledge and skills
2) Emphasize Mr. Fruitlands' dedication to the community
3) Illustrate Mr. Fruitlands' eccentric behavior
4) Showcase Mr. Fruitlands' artistic abilities

Answer 1

The character description of Mr. Fruitlands emphasizes his eccentric behavior through his absorption with 'solar experiences' and the use of a burning-glass.

Step-by-step explanation:

The description of Mr. Fruitlands primarily serves to illustrate Mr. Fruitlands' eccentric behavior. This depiction of him being absorbed in 'solar experiences' and collecting the sun's rays through a burning-glass suggests a rather unusual preoccupation that deviates from mainstream scientific pursuits. It also implies a level of obsession with a single, peculiar idea, reinforcing the notion of his eccentricity.

Answer 2

The description of Mr. Fruitlands in the passage serves to emphasize his eccentric behavior rather than his scientific knowledge, dedication, or artistic abilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The description of Mr. Fruitlands as being absorbed in solar experiences and collecting the sun's rays with a burning-glass is a metaphorical way to illustrate Mr. Fruitlands' eccentric behavior. The passage doesn't emphasize his scientific knowledge, dedication to the community, or artistic abilities.

Instead, it portrays him as a character whose actions are peculiar and out of the ordinary, possibly suggesting he is more engaged in his own fanciful pursuits than practical or communal concerns.