Question

read the excerpt from eighty years and more: reminiscences 1815 - 1897
i still recall, too, going into the large darkened parlor to see my brother, and finding the casket, mirrors, and pictures all draped in white, and my father seated by his side, pale and immovable. as he took no notice of me, after standing a long while, i climbed upon his knee, when he mechanically put his arm about me and, with my head resting against his beating heart, we both sat in silence, he thinking of the wreck of all his hopes in the loss of a dear son, and i wondering what could be said or done to fill the void in his breast.
which best retells the central idea in this excerpt?
stantons memory of her brothers funeral is still fresh in her mind.
stanton develops a need to please her father during childhood.
stanton decides she must work to discover the cause of her brothers death.
stantons relationship with her father is stronger than that of her sisters.

Explanation:

The excerpt focuses on Stanton's vivid memory of her brother's funeral. The description of the setting (darkened parlor, white - draped items), her father's state (pale, immovable, lost in thought about the loss of his son), and her own actions (climbing on his knee, wondering how to fill the void in his heart) all center around this memory. The other options either introduce elements not in the text (developing a need to please father, discovering cause of brother's death, comparing relationship with sisters) or are not the main focus.

Answer:

Stanton’s memory of her brother’s funeral is still fresh in her mind.