Question

question 9 of 25
read the following excerpts in which granny weatherall, from katherine anne porter’s “the jilting of granny weatherall,” and j. alfred prufrock, from t. s. eliot’s “the love song of j. alfred prufrock,” assess their pasts:

what if he did run away and leave me to face the priest by myself? i found another a whole world better. i wouldn’t have exchanged my husband for anybody except st. michael himself, and you may tell him that for me with a thank you in the bargain.

—“the jilting of granny weatherall” by katherine anne porter

no! i am not prince hamlet, nor was meant to be;
am an attendant lord, one that will do
to swell a progress, start a scene or two,
advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
deferential, glad to be of use,
politic, cautious, and meticulous;

—“the love song of j. alfred prufrock,” by t. s. eliot.
which best states the theme that is developed in both excerpts?

a. how we see others shapes who we become.

b. personal worth isn’t derived from how others treat us.

c. choices have consequences.

d. living in isolation can protect you from pain.

Explanation:

Granny Weatherall reflects on her past and asserts her self - worth despite being jilted. She found a better life and values her husband (Michael) on her own terms. J. Alfred Prufrock, in his musings, is not comparing himself to Prince Hamlet (a more heroic figure) but defines his own role. He is an "attendant lord" and finds his worth in his own qualities (deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, meticulous) rather than in being a grand, heroic figure like Hamlet. Both are establishing that their personal worth is internal and not based on how others (like a jilter for Granny or a heroic ideal for Prufrock) treat or define them.

Answer:

B. Personal worth isn't derived from how others treat us.