Question

Which two sentences best develop the character of john messner? a day's lodging by jack london (adapted excerpt) john messner seemed succumbing to the apathy of it all as the frost was benumbing his spirit. he plodded on with bowed head, unobservant, mechanically rubbing nose and cheeks, and batting his steering hand against the gee-pole in the straight trail-stretches. but the dogs were observant, and suddenly they stopped, turning their heads and looking back at their master out of eyes that were wistful and questioning. their eyelashes were frosted white, as were their muzzles, and they had all the seeming of decrepit old age, what of the frost-rime and exhaustion. the man was about to urge them on, when he checked himself, roused up with an effort, and looked around. the dogs had stopped beside a water-hole, not a fissure, but a hole man-made, chopped laboriously with an axe through three and a half feet of ice. a thick skin of new ice showed that it had not been used for some time. messner glanced about himself. the dogs were already pointing the way, each wistful and hoary muzzle turned toward the dim snow-path that left the main river trail and climbed the bank of the island. "all right," he said. "i'll investigate. you're not a bit more anxious to quit than i am." he climbed the bank and then disappeared. however, the dogs did not lie down, but on their feet eagerly waited his return. he came back to them, took a hauling-rope from the front of the sled. it was a stiff pull, but their weariness fell from them as they crouched low to the snow, whining with eagerness and gladness as they struggled upward to the last ounce of effort in their bodies. when a dog slipped or faltered, the one behind nipped his hind quarters. the man shouted encouragement and threats, and threw all his weight on the hauling-rope.

Answer 1

John Messner is characterized by his resilience and compassion as he battles against the harsh Yukon environment, particularly shown through his interactions with his dogs and his response to the surroundings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The character of John Messner is best developed through his interactions with the environment and his dogs, as presented in Jack London's adapted excerpt from A Day's Lodging. Messner is depicted as a man who, although initially succumbing to the brutal cold and apathy of the vast Yukon, shows signs of resilience and determination. This is evident when he takes active steps to address the needs of his dogs and himself, such as when he investigates a water-hole that the dogs have found, and when he assists the dogs in pulling the sled up the bank. Messner's awareness and response to the surroundings, as well as his interactions with the dogs, demonstrate his capability to adapt and persevere in a harsh environment. Furthermore, the portrayal of Messner standing up against the overwhelming cold and caring for the well-being of his dogs highlights his resilience against nature's challenges and his compassion.