Question

from the squatter and the don by maria ruiz de burton the squatter and the don involves two families in san diego in the 1870s. the alamar family, headed by don mariano, has lived on a large ranch for decades. but since the mexican - american war ended, settlers from the eastern united states have been occupying the alamars land. in this excerpt, clarence darrell, the son of one such settler, runs into senor alamars son don victoriano. \good morning,\ said clarence, \i am glad to catch up with you, don victoriano. i have been wanting to speak to you.\ victoriano bowed, saying, \will you go to my house?\
o, id rather not. i am not dressed to be seen by ladies. i would rather speak to you here.\ \you are going to build a large house, mr. darrell?\ said victoriano, turning his horse so as to ride beside clarence; \judging by the amount of lumber being hauled.\ \yes; rather. we are a large family, and require a good deal of room. but before we do any more work i want to speak with your father. i want to ask him - ask him as a favor - and yet, as a business proposition\ - he hesitated, he was evidently embarrassed, but victoriano, not guessing the drift of his words, remained waiting silently, offering no assistance. \well,\ he continued, \i mean this: i dont like this fashion of taking peoples lands, and i would like to pay senor alamar for what has been located by us, but at the same time i do not wish my father to know that i have paid for the land, as i am sure he would take my action as a reproach - as a disclaimer of his own action, and i dont wish to hurt his feelings, or seem to be disrespectful.\ \i understand, and i think my father will be willing to sell the land. he is at home now. let us go up to see him.\ \had you not better speak to him, and make an appointment for me to see him to - morrow, or some other time? id rather not risk being seen by the ladies in this blue flannel shirt and heavy boots. i look too rough - like a smuggler or a select the correct answer. which statement expresses why the author most likely includes the last sentence in the passage? a. to characterize clarence as an extremely shy person who avoids most interaction. b. to show that clarence is relieved that he will not have to confront don mariano. c. to slow down the pace of the narrative by revealing clarences internal monologue. d. to foreshadow that clarence will in fact run into one of the women in the house. reset next

Explanation:

Throughout the passage, Clarence shows concern about his appearance and being seen by ladies. His repeated mention of not wanting to be seen in his current attire implies he is self - conscious. The last sentence about not wanting to be seen by ladies in his blue flannel shirt and heavy boots reinforces his self - consciousness and desire to avoid social situations where he might be judged on his appearance. This best aligns with the idea of characterizing him as a shy person who avoids interaction.

Answer:

A. To characterize Clarence as an extremely shy person who avoids most interaction