Question

Review the ninth and tenth paragraphs. Luisa's Letter Lulsa unlocked the gate, hurried into her building, and checked the mailbox. The mall was still there, thank goodness. An eggshell-white envelope lay atop the pile. She seized it and slipped it into her bag. Upstairs, she handed the remaining mall her mother. "How was school, Maria Luisa?" Mamá asked. "Something to eat?" Lulsa's mother had prepared her a board of cheeses, meats, and bread. "It was fine," said Luisa, giving her mother a quick hug. "I'll just take an apple and do some homework." Why does Luisa's heart sink? She thinks her father will disapprove of her desire to travel abroad. She will miss her father's colleague, who is a family friend. She doesn't want her father to talk about work during dinner.​

Answer 1

Luisa's heart sinks as she anticipates her father discussing work during dinner, conflicting with her desire for a relaxed family atmosphere. This reflects her yearning for genuine familial connections.

In the ninth and tenth paragraphs of Luisa's letter, her heart sinks because she anticipates her father talking about work during dinner. As she hands the remaining mail to her mother, Luisa's concern is evident. The question her mother poses about how school was triggers this reaction. Luisa is aware of her father's demanding job, and the prospect of work-related discussions during dinner dampens her spirits.

Luisa values her family time, and her desire to focus on simple, familial conversations clashes with the potential intrusion of her father's work discussions. This is a recurring theme for her, as hinted by her reluctance to indulge in a full dinner and choosing instead to opt for a solitary apple and homework.

The sinking feeling in Luisa's heart reflects her wish for a more relaxed and personal atmosphere during family meals, contrasting with the professional and work-centric environment she associates with her father's career. This nuance adds depth to Luisa's character, showcasing her yearning for genuine familial connections amid the challenges posed by her father's demanding professional life.

In essence, Luisa's heart sinks because she fears the intrusion of work-related discussions into their family dinner, desiring a more intimate and personal atmosphere at home.