Which statement best expresses a theme in the story?
A. Pursuing knowledge and bettering yourself is the best use of your time.
B. The desire to prove to others that you’re right can lead to disastrous results.
C. Greed and impulsive decisions can lead to huge consequences.
D. There is nothing worse than depriving someone of their dreams.
Which paragraph from the short story best supports your answer?
A. “He threw himself eagerly into these studies — and the banker had enough to do to get him the books he needed.”
B. “The desire to be right consumed him, leading him to make choices he would later regret.”
C. “Greed often clouds our judgment and leads us down a treacherous path.”
D. “He realized that depriving someone of their dreams was more painful than failing himself.”
The best answer that expresses a theme in the story is B. The desire to prove to others that you’re right can lead to disastrous results.
The supporting paragraph for this theme is B. “The desire to be right consumed him, leading him to make choices he would later regret.”
This option illustrates how a strong desire to be right can dominate a person’s thoughts and actions, resulting in regretful decisions. It highlights the consequences of letting pride and the need for validation influence one’s choices, demonstrating the core theme of the story. If you have more questions or need further exploration of this theme, consider checking the extended services page for more detailed assistance!