Question

the rope frantically to tell the twisted news of a great battle. this voice of the people rejoicing in the night had made him shiver in a prolonged ecstasy of excitement. later, he had gone down to his mothers room and had spoken thus: ma, im going to enlist.
henry, dont you be a fool, his mother had replied. she had then covered her face with the quilt. there was an end to the matter for that night.
nevertheless, the next morning he had gone to a town that was near his mothers farm and had enlisted in a company that was forming there. when he had returned home his mother was milking the brindle cow. four others stood waiting. ma, ive enlisted, he had said to her diffidently. there was a short silence. the lords will be done, henry, she had finally replied, and had then continued to milk the brindle cow.
when he had stood in the doorway with his soldiers clothes on his back, and with the light of excitement and expectancy in his eyes almost defeating the glow of regret for the home bonds, he had seen two tears leaving their trails on his mothers scarred cheeks.
what is the impact of henrys relationship with his mother to the overall meaning of this excerpt?
a henrys disdain for his mother makes it easier for him to enlist.
b henrys indifference to his mother makes it easier for him to enlist.
c henrys love for his mother makes it more difficult for him to enlist.
d henrys feelings of betrayal by his mother make it easier for him to enlist.

Explanation:

The text shows Henry's internal conflict. His mother's initial opposition ("Henry, don't you be a fool") and later resigned acceptance ("The Lord's will be done, Henry") along with his own "light of excitement and expectancy in his eyes almost defeating the glow of regret for the home bonds" indicate a complex relationship. The regret for home (which likely includes his mother) shows that his love for her makes enlistment a struggle. Options A and B are wrong as there's no indication of disdain or indifference. Option D is incorrect as there's no sign of betrayal.

Answer:

C. Henry's love for his mother makes it more difficult for him to enlist.