Question

What does the following passage reveal about the private’s mother?

but his mother had discouraged him. she had affected to look with some contempt upon the quality of his war ardor and patriotism. she could calmly seat herself and with no apparent difficulty give him many hundreds of reasons why he was of vastly more importance on the farm than on the field of battle. she had had certain ways of expression that told him that her statements on the subject came from a deep conviction. moreover, on her side, was his belief that her ethical motive in the argument was impregnable.

a. she wants him to become a colonel in the army.
b. she hopes he will return to farming after the war is finished.
c. she does not want him to go to war.
d. she resents her son.

Answer 1

The private's mother does not want her son to join the war, option c, and provides many reasons for him to stay, indicating a strong anti-war conviction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage reveals that the private's mother strongly opposes his involvement in war and has deep convictions against it. She uses her expressiveness and reasoning to persuade him that he is more important at home, on the farm, rather than on the battlefield.

Her arguments are rooted in a deeply held belief that war is unwise and unnecessary, and she conveys these views to her son with clarity and force, hoping to influence his decision against going to war. It is clear that her mother’s ethical stance on the matter is unassailable in the eyes of her son.

Therefore, the correct option that reflects the mother's intentions for her son is:

c. she does not want him to go to war.