Final answer:
The author wants readers to dig deep into Reader-Response Criticism, engage in self-analysis, and speculate about broader societal issues reflected in the story and their own personal values and experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the part of the story being referred to, the author invites the reader to deeply consider a range of pertinent issues through reflective questioning. The approach used here aligns with Reader-Response Criticism, which emphasizes the individual experience of the reader with the text. As characters navigate their situations, readers are encouraged to ponder both the characters' decisions and their own potential reactions in similar circumstances.
Analysis of the protagonist's predicament and choices sparks discussions about the possible prevention of conflicts and the reflection of real-life situations. As readers, we are also pushed to engage with our own feelings and experiences, prompting a critical examination of our values and ethics as suggested by the story.
To speculate on an author's intentions and the enduring questions and conflicts that have remained relevant across time further deepens the engagement with the text. These aspects are highlighted in questions such as, 'Could the outcome have been different?' and 'What enduring real-life issues does this story reflect?', encouraging readers to connect their understanding of the text to broader cultural and societal contexts.