Question

1.4.2 review: modernism and language
a sedan driven by a forty - year - old woman approached. she saw
the turtle and swung to the right, off the highway, the wheels
screamed and a cloud of dust boiled up. two wheels lifted for a
moment and then settled. the car skidded back onto the road,
and went on, but more slowly. the turtle had jerked into its shell,
but now it hurried on, for the highway was burning hot.
which statement provides the best analysis of the passages symbolism in the
novel?
a. the wheels \screamed,\ which is a form of personification, making the
sedan seem like a living creature with evil intent.
b. the sedan stands for the recklessness of farmers, who create turmoil for
everyone in their path just so they can work faster.
c. the car actually runs over the turtle, but its protected by its shell. once it
recovers, it continues across the road quickly.
d. the turtle represents the plight of the poor, who have free will but are
subject to powerful forces beyond their control.

Explanation:

• Option A: Focuses on personification but doesn't address the main symbolic meaning related to the novel's themes.
• Option B: There is no indication in the passage that the sedan represents farmers' recklessness.
• Option C: Just describes the event literally, not the symbolic aspect.
• Option D: In many literary works, especially those dealing with social issues, a vulnerable entity (like the turtle) can symbolize the poor. The sedan (a more powerful force) represents external powerful forces. This option aligns with common symbolic interpretations in literature where the weak (poor) face challenges from stronger external elements.

Answer:

D. The turtle represents the plight of the poor, who have free will but are subject to powerful forces beyond their control.