Question

select the correct answer. what is the effect of reflection in this excerpt from theodore dreisers \my brother paul\? imagine, if you can, a man weighing all of three hundred pounds, not more than five feet ten - and - one - half inches in height and yet of so lithesome a build that he gave not the least sense of either undue weight or lethargy. his temperament, always ebullient and radiant, presented him as a clever, eager, cheerful, emotional and always highly illusioned person with so collie - like a warmth that one found him compelling interest and even admiration. easily cast down at times by the most trivial matters, at others, and for the most part, he was so spirited and bubbly and emotional and sentimental that your fiercest or most gloomy intellectual rages or moods could scarcely withstand his smile. a. dreiser reflects upon his brothers good - natured personality to show how it shaped pauls dreams and ambitions. b. dreiser reflects upon the contrast between his brothers build and personality to develop complexity of character. c. dreiser reflects upon his brothers physical stature to compare and contrast it with his own physical weaknesses. d. dreiser reflects upon his brothers warm and cheerful nature to demonstrate pauls optimistic outlook of life.

Explanation:

The excerpt highlights the contrast between the brother's large - size build and his lively, energetic personality. This contrast helps in creating a more complex and multi - faceted character. There is no mention of how it shaped his dreams (A), comparison with the author's physical weaknesses (C) is not present, and while his warm nature is mentioned, the focus is on the contrast with his build rather than just his optimism (D).

Answer:

B. Dreiser reflects upon the contrast between his brother's build and personality to develop complexity of character.