A Fable

by Mark Twain

Once upon a time an artist who had painted a small and very beautiful picture placed it so that he could see it in the mirror. He said, “This doubles the distance and softens it, and it is twice as lovely as it was before.”

The animals out in the woods heard of this through the housecat, who was greatly admired by them because he was so learned, and so refined and civilized, and so polite and high-bred, and could tell them so much which they didn't know before, and were not certain about afterward. They were much excited about this new piece of gossip, and they asked questions, so as to get at a full understanding of it. They asked what a picture was, and the cat explained.

“It is a flat thing,” he said; “wonderfully flat, marvelously flat, enchantingly flat and elegant. And, oh, so beautiful!”

That excited them almost to a frenzy, and they said they would give the world to see it. Then the bear asked:

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Question
Use the story to answer the question.

What details from the story can you evaluate that would best help determine the story’s theme or themes? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

the way the housecat describes the picture
the way the housecat describes the picture

the way the other characters react to the housecat
the way the other characters react to the housecat

which animals the author chooses to depict
which animals the author chooses to depict

how everyone acts when they are sure they are correct
how everyone acts when they are sure they are correct

how the elephant feels when he looks in the hole

1 answer

The two correct answers that would help determine the story’s theme or themes are:

  1. the way the housecat describes the picture
  2. the way the other characters react to the housecat

These details provide insight into the values and perspectives of the characters, as well as the influence of the housecat's descriptions on the other animals, which can help reveal the underlying themes of perception, admiration, and possibly deception.

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