Question

which excerpt from \everything that rises must converge\ best shapes the theme that in times of crisis, one gains perspective?

• \then all at once she seemed to explode like a piece of machinery that had been given one ounce of pressure too much.\
• \he saw no reason to let the lesson she had had go without backing it up with an explanation of its meaning.\
• \the tide of darkness seemed to sweep him back to her, postponing from moment to moment his entry into the world of guilt and sorrow.\
• \stunned, he let her go and she lurched forward again, walking as if one leg were shorter than the other.\

Explanation:

To determine the correct excerpt, we analyze each option:

• First option: Describes a character's outburst, not about gaining perspective in crisis.
• Second option: About explaining a lesson, not related to perspective in crisis.
• Third option: The "tide of darkness" and "postponing entry into guilt and sorrow" implies a moment of reflection/perspective as he is drawn back, likely after a crisis (implied by guilt/sorrow context), fitting the theme.
• Fourth option: Describes a character's physical movement, not about perspective.

Answer:

C. "The tide of darkness seemed to sweep him back to her, postponing from moment to moment his entry into the world of guilt and sorrow."