Question

The passage below from "the gift of the magi" contains concrete details that...

4- in the vestibule below was a letterbox into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young."

A. help the reader visualize the setting of the Young's shabby apartment.
B. reveal the many fine qualities of Mr. James Dillingham Young.
C. further the action of the story.

Answer 1

A. help the reader visualize the setting of the Young's shabby apartment.

The concrete details in the passage, such as the letterbox into which no letter would go and the non-functional electric button, help paint a vivid picture of the shabby condition of the vestibule in the Youngs' apartment building. The description of the card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young" further adds to the visual imagery of the setting. It suggests that the apartment building is not well-maintained and may be in a state of disrepair, setting the tone for the overall condition of the Youngs' living situation.