Question

1.4.3 test (cst): modernism and language
read the following excerpt from katherine anne porters \the jilting of granny weatherall\:

it had been a hard pull, but not too much for her. when she
thought of all the food she had cooked, and all the clothes
she had cut and sewed, and all the gardens she had made
— well, the children showed it. there they were, made out
of her, and they couldnt get away from that. sometimes
she wanted to see john again and point to them and say,
well, i didnt do so badly, did i?

which two themes does this passage most clearly develop?
a. life presents obstacles to be overcome; parents are childrens first
role models.
b. sometimes we doubt our own strength; its fruitless to live in the
past.
c. past experiences shape who we are; the insecure often seek to be
validated.
d. adversity builds character; tough times make for tough people.

Explanation:

1. The passage references Granny Weatherall's life of hard work (cooking, sewing, gardening) as the foundation for her children, showing her past experiences shaped her identity and her family.
2. Her desire to show her children to John and ask if she "didn't do so badly" reveals her underlying insecurity and need for validation of her life's efforts from someone from her past.

Answer:

C. Past experiences shape who we are; the insecure often seek to be validated.