Question

Which detail from “A Cub Pilot” helps shape the central idea that if you believe in and trust yourself, no one should be able to shake your confidence? Twain tells Mr. Bixby that he couldn’t hit the bottom of the river “with a church steeple.” Twain says to Mr. Bixby the he can make the crossing “with [his] eyes shut.” Mr. Bixby asks, “Didn’t you know there was no bottom in that crossing?” Mr. Bixby tells Twain, ““I am going below awhile.”

Answer 1

Answer:

The detail that helps shape the central idea of believing and trusting in yourself is:

Mr. Bixby asks, “Didn’t you know there was no bottom in that crossing?”

Explanation:

In "A Cub Pilot", Samuel is initially confident in his abilities to navigate without Mr. Bixby. That is why he says he can do it with his eyes shut. However, Mr. Bixby asks him if he is sure he can really do it. From this point on, Samuel doubts himself. Even though he does know how to do it, he becomes unsure of his ability. However, that was just a test. Mr. Bixby wanted him to learn to believe in himself, to not doubt his own skills. That is why he asks, “Didn’t you know there was no bottom in that crossing?”