Question

read the following excerpt from the end of the great gatsby.
gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that
year by year recedes before us. it eluded us then, but that’s
no matter—to - morrow we will run faster, stretch out our
arms farther.... so we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly into the past.
which statement most accurately analyzes the aesthetic impact of the
excerpt?
a. by using a metaphor of a boat, the author leaves the reader feeling
relaxed and comforted.

b. by explaining the american determination not to give up on our
dreams, the author shows that the american dream is still alive.

c. by summing up the idea that motivated gatsby, the author leaves
the reader feeling beaten but determined to continue.

d. by connecting the pursuit of the american dream with that of the
pilgrims, the author leaves the reader feeling patriotic.

Explanation:

• Option A: The boat metaphor here (boats against the current) conveys struggle, not relaxation/comfort, so A is wrong.
• Option B: The excerpt’s tone about the future (recedes, borne back to past) suggests the American Dream is not “still alive” in a positive, uncomplicated way, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: The excerpt sums up Gatsby’s pursuit (green light = future/dream). Phrases like “beat on” (determination) and “borne back ceaselessly into the past” (feeling beaten by the struggle) match the “beaten but determined” analysis.
• Option D: There’s no connection to pilgrims or patriotic feeling in the excerpt, so D is wrong.

Answer:

C. By summing up the idea that motivated Gatsby, the author leaves the reader feeling beaten but determined to continue.