Question

Read the excerpt from "Fern” in Cane.

Nothing ever really happened. Nothing ever came to Fern, not even I. Something I would do for her. Some fine unnamed thing. . . . And friend, you? She is still living, I have reason to know. Her name, against the chance that you might happen down that way, is Fernie May Rosen.

How does Toomer best create a tone of familiarity in this excerpt?

A.by repeating “ever” to create hyperbole
B.by referring to the reader as “friend” and “you”
C.by using the word “I” to signal a personal story
D.by including the proper name of “Fern”

Answer 1

B.by referring to the reader as “friend” and “you”

In this excerpt, Toomer creates a tone of familiarity by referring to the reader as "friend" and "you." By using these familiar terms, Toomer creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the narrator and the reader. This tone of familiarity is further reinforced by the use of personal pronouns like "I" and "her," which suggest a close relationship between the narrator and Fern.

The repetition of the word "ever" is not used to create hyperbole in this excerpt. Instead, it emphasizes the sense of nothingness and lack of excitement in Fern's life. The proper name of Fern is also not used to create familiarity, but rather to identify her as the subject of the story.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.