Question

Read this excerpt from The Great Fire.

Claire and her family continued down the street when "a short, rough man grabbed at my bundle [but I] would not let it go. I called for Father and almost lost my bundle except that another man took hold of [the man] and dragged him away. When I turned, I could not find Father or Mother or my sister or brothers. I ran down the sidewalk after them, calling their names and searching everywhere for a familiar face. They were gone — into the smoke and dark and falling fire."

Which excerpt from the paragraph is the best counterexample of the theme that disasters can cause everyday people to do heroic things?

I called for Father and almost lost my bundle…
a short, rough man grabbed at my bundle…
I ran down the sidewalk after them, calling their names…
They were gone — into the smoke and dark and falling fire.

Answer 1

The excerpt that serves as the best counterexample of the theme that disasters can cause everyday people to do heroic things is:

"a short, rough man grabbed at my bundle…"

This part highlights an act of aggression and selfishness during a disaster, contrasting with the idea of heroism that typically emerges in such situations.