Question

Read this excerpt from “Life Without Go-Go Boots” and answer the question. Once I left home and went to college I was on my own, fashion-wise … . But I found I still had to reckon with life’s limited choices. After classes I worked variously as a house cleaner, typesetter, and artists’ model. I could spend my wages on trendy apparel … or on the lesser gratifications of food and textbooks. It was a tough call, but I opted for education. This was Indiana and it was cold; when it was cold, it was rainy. I bought an army surplus overcoat, with zip-out lining, that reached my ankles, and I found in my parents’ attic a green pith helmet. Using context clues and what you have learned about the importance of diction, what is the best meaning Kingsolver intends to give to the phrase "or on the lesser gratifications of food and textbooks"? In about 75 words, discuss what the context clues were in the above excerpt that help support your answer. Use specific words that were clues for you.

Answer 1

In this excerpt, the author talks about the ways in which she spent her money during her college years. She tells us that she had to make choices about how to spend her wages. She claims that she was undecided between spending it on fashion or on "the lesser gratifications of food and textbooks."

What this phrase implies is that the author does not find "food" and "textbooks" to be nearly as gratifying as buying fashionable clothes. The statement is meant to be ironic because most people would think that food and textbooks are any student's priorities. Therefore, the statement emphasizes how important clothing is for the author.

Answer 2

I would have to say that the meaning of this phrase would be that she sees that food and education does'nt give her the gratification trendy that apparel does. I'm sorry but this is the closest that I could possibly think well hopefully you get the idea. Sorry if i didnt answer this correctly. Hope i help