In this version of a classical water nymph myth, Undine's father relays the story of how she came to his and his wife's home after the death of their child.

Question

adapted from Undine
by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque

We were sitting together by our cottage hearth and had no desire to talk, even if our tears would have permitted us. As we sat in mournful stillness, we heard a slight rustling at the door. The door flew open, and we saw a little girl, three or four years old, standing on the threshold, richly dressed, and smiling upon us. We were struck dumb with astonishment, and I knew not for a time whether the tiny form were a real human being or a mockery of enchantment. But I soon perceived water dripping from her golden hair and rich garments and that the child stood in immediate need of our help.
"Wife," said I, "let us do her what we would have done for our child."
We put her to bed and gave her something to drink. She spoke not a word, but only turned her eyes upon us—eyes blue as sea or sky—and continued looking at us with a smile.
The next morning, I asked her about her parents and how she had come to us, but the account she gave was both confused and incredible. She must surely have been born far from here, not only because I have been unable for these fifteen years to learn anything of her birth, but because she continues to say things of so very singular a nature, that neither of us know whether she may not have dropped from the moon. Her talk runs upon golden castles and crystal domes. What, however, she related with most distinctness was this: that while she was once taking a sail with her mother, she fell out of the boat into the water, and that when she first recovered her senses, she was here under our trees, where our shore filled her with delight.
We very soon determined to keep and bring up the child. We now endeavored to give her a good name and agreed on Dorothea. She, on the contrary, would not hear Dorothea mentioned; she insisted, that as she had been named Undine by her parents, Undine she ought to be called.

1
This illustration of Undine is by Arthur Rackham (1909).

A painting of a girl standing and touching the door with one hand and holding her dress with the other.

Which detail do both the illustration and the passage emphasize?

A.
The clothes Undine wears are extraordinary.
B.
The day is ending when Undine arrives.
C.
The homeowners are surprised by their guest.
D.
The house is quiet close to the water.

Answer 1

Both the illustration and the passage emphasize the detail:

C. The homeowners are surprised by their guest.

In the passage, the father's astonishment at seeing Undine standing at the door is evident, as he describes being "struck dumb with astonishment." The illustration likely captures the surprise and intrigue of the moment as well, highlighting the unexpected arrival of Undine.