Question

Why might the author spare old Amelia the mockery of freedom?

a) To preserve the dignity of Amelia
b) To emphasize Amelia's sense of responsibility
c) To highlight the societal constraints on freedom
d) To criticize Amelia's lack of ambition

Answer 1

The author might spare Amelia the mockery of freedom to preserve her dignity, emphasize her responsibility, highlight societal constraints, or criticize her lack of ambition, each serving as a commentary on her character and societal norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author might spare old Amelia the mockery of freedom for various reasons depending on the context of the literary work. One reason might be to preserve the dignity of Amelia, avoiding ridiculing her character by providing an illusion of freedom that she ultimately cannot enjoy due to societal constraints. Alternatively, it could be to emphasize Amelia's sense of responsibility, highlighting her ability to maintain dignity and grace despite the lack of true freedom. Another possibility is to highlight the societal constraints on freedom, showing that while Amelia might physically be free, the society she lives in imposes limitations that render her freedom meaningless. Finally, sparing Amelia could be a technique to criticize Amelia's lack of ambition in pursuing true freedom. This choice would reflect on her acceptance of societal roles and question whether her passivity is to be criticized or sympathized with.