Question

1. what thematic idea in the novel is reinforced by the discussion of the guillotine on pages 111 - 112?

○ a. losing a parent profoundly affects a childs view of the world.
○ b. a society has the right to punish people who harm others.
○ c. there is nothing significant about any one persons death.
○ d. public executions are morally repulsive.

Explanation:

The guillotine was a tool of public execution. If the discussion of it reinforces a thematic idea, we need to consider the nature of public executions. Option D about public executions being morally repulsive aligns with the negative connotations often associated with such a brutal method of execution. Option A is about parental loss which has no direct link to the guillotine. Option B is about societal punishment rights but the guillotine's use (especially in a novel's context) may not be framed as a positive right - it's more about the act's repulsiveness. Option C is too nihilistic and not likely the main thematic idea related to the guillotine's discussion.

Answer:

D. Public executions are morally repulsive.