Question

mrs. morel was alone, but she was used to it. her son and her little girl slept upstairs; so, it seemed, her home was there behind her, fixed and stable. but she felt wretched with the coming child. the world seemed a dreary place, where nothing else would happen for her—at least until william grew up. but for herself, nothing but this dreary endurance—till the children grew up. and the children! she could not afford to have this third. she did not want it.... she despised her husband, and was tied to him. this coming child was too much for her. if it were not for william and annie, she was sick of it, the struggle with poverty and ugliness and meanness. what aspect of this excerpt most clearly marks it as a work of modernism? a. it combines the topics of children and money. b. it provides social commentary within the context of a narrative. c. it focuses on a main character’s inner thoughts rather than actions. d. it expresses a raw, cynical perspective on family life.

Explanation:

Modernist literature often centers on the internal psychological experiences of characters, prioritizing their inner thoughts, anxieties, and subjective perceptions over external plot or actions. This excerpt focuses entirely on Mrs. Morel's private feelings: her weariness, resentment of her husband, dread of the coming child, and frustration with her life, with no focus on outward actions. Other options are not distinct to Modernism: combining children and money, social commentary in narrative, and cynical family perspectives appear in earlier literary movements too.

Answer:

C. It focuses on a main character's inner thoughts rather than actions.