Question

Question 5 of 5

How does Freddy change from the beginning to the end of the passage?
"Jones" from The Wit and Humor of America, Volume VI (of X)
by Lloyd Osbourne (excerpt)
(1) I could have taken "No" and gone away decently and never bothered her
again. I told her so straight out in the first angry flush of my rejection-but this
string business, with everything left hanging in the air, so to speak, made a
fellow feel like thirty cents.
(2) "It simply means that I'm engaged and you are not," I said.
(3) "It's nothing of the kind," she returned tearfully. "You're as free as free,
Ezra. You can go away this moment, and never write or anything!"

Answer 1

At the beginning of the passage, Freddy appears to be confident and pursuing the woman, despite her lack of interest in him. He is initially angry and frustrated by her rejection, but he then becomes more accepting of her decision, acknowledging that she is engaged to someone else. By the end of the passage, Freddy's tone has changed from confrontational to sympathetic as he reassures her that he won't bother her again. Overall, Freddy changes from being assertive and confrontational to being more accepting and sympathetic towards the woman's feelings.