Question

Nick narrates, as he and Tom get gasoline, "I stared at him and atTom, who had made a parallel discovery less than an hour before— and it occurred to me that there was no difference between men, in intelligence or race, so profound as the difference between the sick and the well." Which of the following statements expresses Nick's point in this passage?A. Both Wilson and Tom have shared with each other the news that their wives have been unfaithful.B. Nick feels that Wilson and Tom have similar levels of intelligence.C. Nick sees no differences among men of different races.D. Nick recognizes, in their contrasting reactions to the news of their wives' infidelities, Wilson's sickness and Tom's health.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is letter D. Nick recognizes, in their contrasting reactions to the news of their wives' infidelities, Wilson's sickness and Tom's health.

Explanation:

Nick is the narrator in the novel "The Great Gatsby", by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He is now witnessing how the news of having an unfaithful wife affects Tom and Wilson in completely different manners. Tom is a strong man in every sense; a brute with intelligence. He is used to having and keeping what he wants. He knows he will not lose Daisy, his wife, to Gatsby. He sees himself as an incomparable specimen. Wilson, on the other hand, is physically strong, but mentally and intellectually weak. The news breaks his spirits to the point he decides to force his wife to move away with him. He is unable to understand the situation, the reasons behind it, and the best way to deal with it. Nick sees, therefore, that Tom and Wilson are subject to the same issues, the same tragedies. The difference is in Tom's healthy and Wilson's sick minds.