Question

Read the following quote from Wharton's short story "April Showers":

Theodora found herself in the wood beyond the schoolhouse. She was kneeling on the ground, brushing aside the dead leaves and pressing her lips to the little bursting green things that pushed up eager tips through last year's decay. It was spring--spring! Everything was crowding toward the light, and in her own heart hundreds of germinating hopes had burst into sudden leaf. She wondered if the thrust of those little green fingers hurt the surface of the earth as her springing raptures hurt--yes, actually hurt!--her hot, constricted breast!

1What aspect of feminism is Wharton pointing out in this passage?

2Women have a connection with the earth that men do not have.

3Women are more prone to silly emotions and unrealistic expectations than men.

4Women are more sensitive to nature, birth, and death than men are.

Answer 1

The passage does not explicitly discuss issues of feminism in relation to nature but uses the natural world to echo Theodora's emotional state, as part of a personal and possibly feminist journey towards growth and renewal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage from Wharton's short story April Showers doesn't directly align with the provided options regarding an aspect of feminism. Instead, Wharton’s use of natural imagery might suggest a broader theme of personal growth and renewal. Wharton employs vivid descriptions of the natural world to mirror Theodora's internal experiences. This technique humanizes nature and closely aligns the protagonist’s emotional journey with the seasonal cycle of rebirth. Theodora's connection with nature is symbolic of her burgeoning hopes and aspirations, an experience that might illustrate the feminist idea of women seeking their own paths and asserting individual identities.

References to the healing capacity of the natural world, the use of anthropomorphism, and the empathy with personified nature in the cited analysis indicate that natural elements often mirror the emotions and journey of the characters, rather than pointing directly to any gender-specific traits or differences.

Answer 2

Women have dreams and ambitions that are just as strong as men's.

Women did not have many opportunities to work outside of the home during this time.

Step-by-step explanation:

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