Question

my assignments against the negroes and puerto ricans. i hesitated for a long, long minute. the ancestral manners that the most illiterate puerto rican passes on from father to son were struggling inside me. here was i, way past midnight, face to face with a situation that could very well explode into an outburst of prejudices and chauvinistic conditioning of the “divide and rule” policy of present - day society. it was a long minute. i passed on by her as if i saw nothing. as if i was insensitive to her need. like a rude animal walking on two legs, i just moved on half running by the long subway platform leaving the children and the valise and her with the baby on her arm. i took the steps of the long concrete stairs in twos until i reached the street above and the cold air slapped my warm face. this is what racism and prejudice and chauvinism and official artificial divisions can do to people and to a nation! perhaps the lady was not prejudiced after all. or not prejudiced enough to scream at the coming of a negro toward her in a solitary subway station a few hours past midnight. if you were not that prejudiced, i failed you, dear lady. i know that there is a chance in a million that you will read these lines. i am willing to take the millionth chance. if you were not that prejudiced, i failed you, lady, i failed you, children. i failed myself to myself. assessment questions 4. how does the phrase “like a rude animal walking on two legs” impact meaning and tone in paragraph 10? a. the phrase makes it easier for the reader to understand the concept of fear by expanding the idea of escape. b. the phrase uses positive connotation and shifts the attitude expressed by the author. c. the phrase conveys a shameful, guilty tone and connects to the authors purpose. d. the phrase provides the reader information to better understand the speaker

Explanation:

The phrase "like a rude animal walking on two legs" shows the author's self - loathing for ignoring the lady's need. It creates a shameful and guilty tone, which aligns with the author's purpose of reflecting on the negative impacts of racism and prejudice. It doesn't expand the idea of fear, use positive connotation, or mainly provide information to understand the speaker.

Answer:

C. The phrase conveys a shameful, guilty tone and connects to the author's purpose.