Read the following passage:
Gideon set the heavy iron key upon the stack of lease agreements on his desk. It was an oversized object, forged in a workshop three generations ago, possessing a weight that far exceeded its utility in a modern building operated entirely by keycards. Here, on the twelfth floor, surrounded by clean glass and polished steel, the iron key looked out of place. Yet, whenever Gideon’s fingers brushed its cold, uneven surface, he did not see the sleek high-rise. Instead, he saw the dark, timbered door of his family's ancestral home, which had stood locked for decades, keeping their history safely contained.
Based on the passage, the iron key on Gideon's desk serves primarily to symbolize which of the following?
- AThe literal difficulty of securing entry to modern apartment buildings.
- BHis frustration with the modern apartment's electronic security system.
- Gideon’s emotional link to his family’s ancestral past and its secrets.Answer
- DThe envy he feels toward others who still live in traditional homes.
- EThe author's critique of the poor craftsmanship of contemporary architecture.
Answer
Gideon’s emotional link to his family’s ancestral past and its secrets.
The correct answer is correct because the passage explicitly contrasts the physical, modern environment of Gideon's high-rise office with the memories triggered by touching the antique key. The key acts as a tangible connection to Gideon's heritage, prompting him to visualize the locked door of his family's ancestral home and the history kept within it, thereby symbolizing his emotional link to his family's past.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying the symbolic function of objects and setting details in short fiction.