Question

Read the excerpt from Eighty Years and More: Reminiscences, 1815-1897.

I still recall, too, going into the large darkened parlor to see my brother, and finding the casket, mirrors, and pictures all draped in white, and my father seated by his side, pale and immovable. As he took no notice of me, after standing a long while, I climbed upon his knee, when he mechanically put his arm about me and, with my head resting against his beating heart, we both sat in silence, he thinking of the wreck of all his hopes in the loss of a dear son, and I wondering what could be said or done to fill the void in his breast.

Which best retells the central idea in this excerpt?

-Stanton’s memory of her brother’s funeral is still fresh in her mind.
-Stanton develops a need to please her father during childhood.
-Stanton decides she must work to discover the cause of her brother’s death.
-Stanton’s relationship with her father is stronger than that of her sisters.

Answer 1

Stanton felt depressed that his brother was dead, and his father was sorrowful, and he wanted to know how to help his dad in his time of need.

So the question asked should be:

Seeing that his father is depressed, how can he help the situation by making both he (for he is sad too) & his father hope for a better future, and cope with the situation?

hope this helps