Question

What do these lines suggest about the narrator? He is disappointed that his gifts are not appreciated. He wishes he had not given away his favorite coat. He worries that his employees are suffering. He feels that people should be content with what they have.

Answer 1

This question is missing the excerpt. I've found the complete question online. It is as follows:

Read the following passage and answer the question.

I verily believe that buttoning himself up in so downy and blanket – like a coat had a pernicious effect upon him; upon the same principle that too much oats are bad for horses. In fact, precisely as a rash, restive horse is said to feel his oats, so Turkey felt his coat. It made him insolent. He was a man whom prosperity harmed.

What do these lines suggest about the narrator?

a) He is disappointed that his gifts are not appreciated.

b) He wishes he had not given away his favorite coat.

c) He worries that his employees are suffering.

d) He feels that people should be content with what they have.

Answer:

These lines suggest:

d) He feels that people should be content with what they have.

Explanation:

In the passage we are analyzing, the narrator is visibly criticizing someone for "feeling his coat," making a pun out of the expression "to feel his oats." The person he is criticizing changed while wearing what seems to be a fancy coat. This transformation is disappointing to the narrator. It shows that that person is probably greedy. Instead of being happy with what he has, Turkey seems to want more and, when he does get some more, he changes, becomes "insolent". That is clearly something that bothers the narrator.