Question

once these disparate parts were held together by a common enemy, by the fault lines of world wars and the electrified fence of communism. with the end of the cold war there was the creeping concern that without a focus for hatred and distrust, a sense of national identity would evaporate, that the left side of the hyphen - african - american, mexican - american, irish - american - would overwhelm the right. - \a quilt of a country,\ anna quindlen what is the denotative meaning of \electrified fence\? what is the connotative meaning of \electrified fence\ in the passage? what does the use of this phrase reveal about how the author views communism? she believes that communism unifies nations. she believes that communism excites citizens. she believes that communism is oppressive.

Explanation:

1. Denotative meaning of "electrified fence"

Denotative meaning is the literal definition. An electrified fence is a fence with electric current, used for security/barrier.

Connotative meaning is the implied idea. In the passage, it's paired with "fault lines of world wars" and related to communism, so it connotes a divisive, threatening, or oppressive force (like the Cold War division/hostility from communism).

The phrase "electrified fence of communism" (with "fault lines of world wars") implies negativity. "Electrified fence" has connotations of danger/oppression. The options: "unifies" is wrong (it's a divisive image), "excites" is wrong. "Oppressive" matches the negative, confining connotation of an electrified fence.

Answer:

A fence that has electric current running through it (used to prevent passage, provide security, or act as a barrier)

2. Connotative meaning of "electrified fence" in the passage