Question

Why is the little boy referred to as “it” in the final sentence of the story: “and they carried it-the man, the wife, the hysterical trusted housemaid, and the weeping gardener-into the house?” Group of answer choices This reference indicates that the little boy is being compared to a wounded animal This reference indicates that all of the people in the suburb have lost their humanity This reference indicates that everyone has lost all respect for the little boy after he creeps into the “shining coiled tunnel” without permission This reference indicates that the little boy has been cut up and disfigured by the barbed wire to such an extent that he is no longer recognizable

Answer 1

Answer:

This reference indicates that the little boy has been cut up and disfigured by the barbed wire to such an extent that he is no longer recognizable.

Explanation:

Nadine Gordimer's short story "Once Upon A Time," tells the story of a certain white family in Apartheid South America trying to stay safe and secure from the 'outside' disturbance. The story includes themes of racism in the characterization of the white family and the "trusted housemaid".

Before the incident, all characters were specifically labeled in their respective genders including the "trusted housemaid". But after the young boy attempts to play out "Sleeping Beauty" and got stuck in the "razor-bladed coils", he is referred to as "it". This is because the damage to his little, fragile body, "the bleeding mass of the little boy" is too much, too disfigured, and cut up to the point that he seems almost unrecognizable.  

Thus, the correct answer is the last option.