Question

A look of perplexity appeared on Gabriel's face. It was true that he wrote a literary column every Wednesday in The Daily Express, for which he was paid fifteen shillings. But that did not make him a West Briton surely?

Answer 1

The provided texts deal with complex themes of identity, perception, and societal roles. Gabriel's puzzlement highlights the conflict between being a public writer and private loyalty, reflecting broader themes in the excerpts.

Step-by-step explanation:

A look of perplexity on Gabriel's face implies confusion or puzzlement, likely due to the accusation of being a 'West Briton', a term used to describe an Irish person perceived as being overly sympathetic to British customs or law. The context appears to be set in a historical setting and the text is dense with themes of identity and societal perception.

Gabriel writes for The Daily Express and is paid for his contributions, which leads to questioning of his national loyalty. The snippets of texts provided suggest the exploration of characters grappling with their sense of self and place within society, be it through the rejection of a visiting card, the stark differences between social classes, or the struggles for freedom from injustice.