I have placed my happiness on seeing you good and accomplished; and no distress which this world can now bring on me would equal
that of your disappointing my hopes. What is the connotative effect of the word distress on Jefferson's tone in this letter? A) The word "distress" does not show any particular concern or worry on Jefferson's part for his daughter's education. B) It shows how deeply and seriously Jefferson wants his daughter to take her education--because his love for her depends upon it. C) Jefferson is using the word primarily to create a joking or teasing tone with his daughter that is evident throughout the entire passage. D) It shows that Jefferson is more concerned with his daughter being happy or carefree than he is worried about her education and studying all the time.
The following statement is the correct answer: It shows how deeply and seriously Jefferson wants his daughter to take her education--because his love for her depends upon it. The entire letter is extremely formal and serious (at least to modern ears). Jefferson repeatedly states that education is vital to his love and affection for his daughter. To call her failures the greatest distress he can experience in this world (even after her mother had died) is, to put it lightly, extreme, or at least, very powerful hyperbole.
B) It shows how deeply and seriously Jefferson wants his daughter to take her education--because his love for her depends upon it
Explanation:
The connotative tone of the word distress would be one of great disappointment and upset in this excerpt. Jefferson is saying here that he wants his daughter to become an accomplished, well educated, financially secure and successful person and if she for any reason grows up and does not become these things he would feel let down by her to such large degree that even his love for her would become less. He is placing his own selfish happiness on her accomplishments in life.
