Question

read the passage from the novel the catcher in the rye. in the passage, the narrator goes to a carousel with his younger sister, phoebe.
\ill be on this bench right over here. ill watch ya.\ i went over and sat down on bench, and she went and got on the carousel. she walked all around it. i mean walked once all the way around it. then she sat down on this big, brown, beat - up looking old horse. then the carousel started, and i watched her go around and around. there were only about five or six other kids on the ride .... all the ki kept trying to grab for the gold ring, and so was old phoebe, and i was sort of afr shed fall off the ... horse, but i didnt say anything or do anything. the thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and say anything. if they fall off, they fall off, but its bad if you say anything to them.
from j.d. salinger, the catcher in the rye. copyright 1979 by j.d. salinger
which of the following best describes the narrators perspective while watching phoebe on the carousel?
the narrator feels angry because he wants phoebe to get off the carousel.
the narrator feels relieved that phoebe is enjoying her time with the other children.
the narrator feels nervous for phoebe but thinks children need to try things on their own.
the narrator feels bored but worries phoebe will be upset if he asks her to leave.

Explanation:

The passage states the narrator was "sort of afraid she'd fall off" (showing nervousness) but also believes "if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it" (valuing children's independent attempts). The other options do not match the text: there is no anger, relief about her time with others, or boredom mentioned.

Answer:

The narrator feels nervous for Phoebe but thinks children need to try things on their own.