AP Success - AP English Literature: An Idle Fellow
This is a descriptive piece by Kate Chopin.
I am tired. At the end of these years I am very tired. I have been studying in books the languages of the living and those we call dead. Early in the fresh morning I have studied in books, and throughout the day when the sun was shining; and at night when there were stars, I have lighted my oil-lamp and studied in books. Now my brain is weary and I want rest.
I shall sit here on the door-step beside my friend Paul. He is an idle fellow with folded hands. He laughs when I upbraid him, and bids me, with a motion, hold my peace. He is listening to a thrush’s song that comes from the blur of yonder apple-tree. He tells me the thrush is singing a complaint. She wants her mate that was with her last blossom-time and builded a nest with her. She will have no other mate. She will call for him till she hears the notes of her beloved-one’s song coming swiftly towards her across forest and field.
Paul is a strange fellow. He gazed idly at a billowy white cloud that rolls lazily over and over along the edge of the blue sky.
He turns away from me and the words with which I would instruct him, to drink deep the scent of the clover-field and the thick perfume from the rose-hedge.
We rise from the door-step and walk together down the gentle slope of the hill; past the apple-tree, and the rose-hedge; and along the border of the field where wheat is growing. We walk down to the foot of the gentle slope where women and men and children are living.
Paul is a strange fellow. He looks into the faces of people who pass us by. He tells me that in their eyes he reads the story of their souls. He knows men and women and the little children, and why they look this way and that way. He knows the reasons that turn them to and fro and cause them to go and come. I think I shall walk a space through the world with my friend Paul. He is very wise, he knows the language of God which I have not learned.
Question 1
The narrator's exhaustive study is highlighted by his routine of studying:
only at night to avoid the distractions of the day.
during all times of day, reflecting his dedication.
only when the conditions were quiet and peaceful.
in the absence of natural light, using only his oil-lamp.
without any specific routine, suggesting a lack of commitment.
Question 2
The phrase "languages of the living and those we call dead" (line 2) most likely refers to:
a study of modern and ancient languages.
a metaphorical comparison of vibrant and obsolete cultures.
a literal belief in communication with the deceased.
a contrast between useful and useless knowledge.
an exploration of biological life and death.
Question 3
The character Paul is presented as:
an industrious individual who values hard work over leisure.
a friend who provides comfort and advice to the narrator.
someone indifferent to the narrator’s achievements.
an idle individual who finds joy in simple pleasures of nature.
a mentor who teaches the narrator about academic disciplines.
Question 4
Paul's interpretation of the thrush’s song (lines 12-18) serves to:
illustrate his detachment from reality.
emphasize his deep connection with nature.
contrast with the narrator's scientific approach to life.
highlight his expertise in ornithology.
show his misunderstanding of animal behavior.
Question 5
The narrator's decision to walk with Paul (lines 28-32) suggests:
a desire for a new academic pursuit.
a willingness to explore different perspectives.
a rejection of his previous studies.
an attempt to teach Paul about his studies.
a feeling of superiority over Paul’s lifestyle.
Question 6
The repetition of the phrase "Paul is a strange fellow" (lines 9 and 20) most likely indicates:
the narrator's admiration for Paul.
the narrator's confusion about Paul's behavior.
a sense of irony in Paul’s actions and beliefs.
a growing tension between Paul and the narrator.
the narrator’s insistence on Paul’s uniqueness.
Question 7
The description of the environment (lines 20-26) primarily serves to:
create a backdrop for the characters’ actions.
contrast the complexities of nature with the narrator's studies.
symbolize the emotional state of the narrator.
emphasize the monotony of the narrator's life.
introduce a new character who changes the story's direction.
Question 8
In the context of the passage, the "oil-lamp" (line 5) symbolizes:
the narrator's isolation from the world.
the pursuit of knowledge regardless of circumstances.
a traditional way of living that contradicts modern values.
the contrast between natural and artificial light.
Paul’s disinterest in academic endeavors.
Question 9
The phrase "the language of God" (line 41) most likely symbolizes:
a specific religious doctrine.
an innate wisdom or understanding beyond academic knowledge.
a mystical language known only to a chosen few.
the scientific terminology the narrator has studied.
Paul’s secret knowledge that he refuses to share.
Question 10
The overall tone of the passage can best be described as:
cynical, with a critical view of both characters.
contemplative, reflecting on the different paths of life.
humorous, mocking the pursuits of the characters.
didactic, teaching a clear moral lesson.
indifferent, presenting facts without emotional involvement.
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