Read the excerpt from Eighty Years and More: Reminiscences, 1815-1897. Soon after this I began to study Latin, Greek, and mathem
atics with a class of boys in the Academy, many of whom were much older than I. For three years one boy kept his place at the head of the class, and I always stood next. Two prizes were offered in Greek. I strove for one and took the second. How well I remember my joy in receiving that prize. There was no sentiment of ambition, rivalry, or triumph over my companions, nor feeling of satisfaction in receiving this honor in the presence of those assembled on the day of the exhibition. One thought alone filled my mind. "Now," said I, "my father will be satisfied with me." Which best retells the central idea in this excerpt? A. The opinion of Stanton’s father is the only one that matters to her. B. Stanton studied at an academy with a group of older boys. C. While studying at the academy, Stanton won a prize in Greek. D. Stanton was able to prove her abilities to her teacher and classmates.
A. The opinion of Stanton’s father is the only one that matters to her.
Explanation:
" Eighty Years and More: Reminiscences, 1815-1897" is autobiography written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
This particular excerpt deals with her student days in Academy. She lists all her academic successes, but not with the purpose to brag about them. She didn't want any recognition from her classmates nor teachers; all she wanted was to make her father proud. Throughout her academy years she was constantly trying to impress her father trying to prove she was as capable as a man. She was living in a period when society didn't have high expectations of women and they were regarded as inferior to man. Also, she lost 6 of her brothers who died in young age and her father was devastated due to this loss of male children. These could be regarded as reasons to why she tried to impress her father and present herself as equal to any man and equally valuable to her father as her brothers.
