Question

53 clanking, clownish, and huge, harrison stood - in the center of the studio. the knob of the uprooted studio door was still in his hand. ballerinas, technicians, musicians, and announcers cowered on their knees before him, expecting to die.
54 \i am the emperor!\ cried harrison. \do you hear? i am the emperor! everybody must do what i say at once!\ he stamped his foot and the studio shook.
55 \even as i stand here\ he bellowed, \crippled, hobbled, sickened - i am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! now watch me become what i can become!\
56 harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds.
57 harrisons scrap - iron handicaps crashed to the floor.
58 harrison thrust his thumbs under the bar of the padlock that secured his head harness. the bar snapped like celery. harrison smashed his headphones and spectacles against the wall.
59 he flung away his rubber - ball nose, revealed a man that would have awed thor, the god of thunder¹.
60 \i shall now select my empress!\ he said, looking down on the cowering people. \let the first woman who dares rise to her feet claim her mate and her throne!\
61 a moment passed, and then a ballerina arose, swaying like a willow.
62 harrison plucked the mental handicap from her ear, snapped off her physical handicaps with marvelous delicacy. last of all he removed her mask.
63 she was blindingly beautiful.
64
ow - \ said harrison, taking her hand, \shall we show the people the meaning of the word dance? music!\ he commanded.

1. how does harrison’s character develop (or change) in this section of text?
2. how does harrison’s character development affect the plot?
3. how does the setting impact the plot?
4. describe what part of the story this section of text is from. where does it fall in the plot?

Explanation:

Sub - Question 1

At first, Harrison is presented with handicaps (clownish, with scrap - iron handicaps) and in a somewhat constrained state. But as he tears off his handicap harness, smashes his handicaps, and reveals his true self, he becomes more assertive, powerful, and confident. He proclaims himself the Emperor, takes control, and shows his strength (like tearing straps that can support five thousand pounds, snapping the padlock bar easily). His character shifts from being handicapped and constrained to a powerful, self - asserting ruler - like figure who is ready to embrace his true potential.

Harrison's character development (becoming powerful and assertive) drives the plot forward. His actions of removing handicaps and asserting his rule lead to him selecting an Empress (the ballerina who rises), and then deciding to show people the meaning of dance. These actions create conflict (against the status - quo of the handicapped society) and move the story towards a climax of rebellion and self - expression through dance, as he takes charge and initiates new events.

The setting is a studio where people (ballerinas, technicians, etc.) are cowering, under a system that enforces handicaps. This oppressive setting (where people are afraid and handicapped) makes Harrison's rebellion (removing handicaps, asserting power) more impactful. The cowering people in the studio show the control of the old order, so Harrison's actions against this backdrop of oppression and fear highlight his rebellion and push the plot as his actions challenge the status - quo of this controlled studio environment.

Answer:

Harrison starts as a handicapped (with clownish and heavy handicaps) figure. As he removes his handicaps (tearing harness straps, smashing handicaps), he becomes assertive, powerful, and confident, proclaiming himself Emperor and taking control, revealing his true, strong self.

Sub - Question 2