Final answer:
Excerpt c ('In my opinion, the Mississippi is the most fascinating river.') from Mark Twain's 'Life on the Mississippi' best shows that the story is by a subjective narrator, as it directly states the narrator's opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which excerpt from Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" displays that the story is narrated by a subjective narrator. A subjective narrator conveys the story from a personal point of view, often including his or her own feelings and opinions. Of the options given:
- Excerpt a ("The river was a glorious, wide expanse of beauty.") uses descriptive language that conveys an opinion about the river's beauty, which indicates subjectivity.
- Excerpt b ("I believe this is the best novel ever written about river life.") directly states the narrator's belief, which is clearly subjective.
- Excerpt c ("In my opinion, the Mississippi is the most fascinating river.") spells out that the statement is an opinion, hence subjective.
- Excerpt d ("The facts about the river are presented without bias.") suggests objectivity, which is the opposite of subjectivity.
Considering the details provided above, the excerpts that best indicate a subjective narrator are b and c, since they directly express the narrator's beliefs and opinions using phrases like 'I believe' and 'In my opinion'. Of these, excerpt c is explicitly presented as the narrator's viewpoint on the Mississippi, making it a strong example of a subjective narrative.
Mark Twain's personal narrative style and the use of first-person narration are key to portraying a subjective viewpoint in his memoirs such as "Life on the Mississippi". Twain's descriptions and opinions about the river add depth to the narrative by giving readers insight into his personal experience and perspective.