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Difficulty: EasyNarrative Function of Setting

Read the following passage carefully:

(1) The rain had ceased, but the narrow street was still slick with a dark, (2) oily sheen that reflected the gas lamps in distorted yellow smears. Arthur (3) stood beneath the rusted awning of the apothecary, his collar turned up (4) against the persistent chill. The air carried the sour odor of coal smoke (5) and wet brick, a heavy dampness that seemed to seep directly into his (6) bones. Across the lane, the shuttered windows of the boarding house (7) looked down like blind, indifferent eyes, offering no promise of warmth (8) or welcome to the traveler waiting in the shadows below. Behind him, the (9) drip of water from a broken rainspout measured the slow, stagnant seconds (10) of his vigil, reinforcing the isolation of the deserted district.

Which of the following best describes the narrative function of the setting in the passage?

  1. A
    provide a detailed physical record of the municipal infrastructure and weather conditions of the city
  2. B
    chronicle the chronological events of Arthur's journey from the rainstorm to his arrival at the apothecary
  3. establish a mood of isolation and emotional stagnation that mirrors the character's lonely waitAnswer
  4. D
    reveal the author's personal condemnation of the urban decay caused by industrial progress
  5. E
    indicate the specific geographical location of the boarding house in relation to the apothecary shop

Answer

establish a mood of isolation and emotional stagnation that mirrors the character's lonely wait
The description of the dark, slick street, the persistent chill, and the boarding house windows that look like 'blind, indifferent eyes' establishes a somber, lonely atmosphere. This setting functions to mirror and intensify the character's internal state of isolation and the stagnation of his wait.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the descriptive details of the setting in the passage, such as the dark, slick streets, cold air, and indifferent shuttered windows.
These details convey a gloomy, cold, and unfriendly atmosphere.
Understanding the immediate sensory impact of the setting is the first step in determining its narrative function.
2
Examine how the character's situation interacts with this atmosphere, noting Arthur's turned-up collar and his stagnant wait in the shadows.
The character's physical discomfort and isolation align closely with the bleak urban environment.
Connecting the setting to the character's situation reveals how the environment serves as a mirror for the character's state.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that best captures this relationship between the atmospheric setting and the character's situation.
The option describing the establishment of a mood of isolation and emotional stagnation that mirrors the character's wait is the most accurate analysis.
This option correctly identifies the narrative function of the setting rather than summarizing the plot or reading the details literally.

Key Concept

The narrative function of setting in establishing mood and mirroring a character's internal state.
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Narrative Function of Setting

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