Use the excerpt from the story “Dusk” by H. H. Munro to answer the question.

Question

Dusk
by H.H. Munro (Saki)

The wanderers in the dusk did not choose to have strange looks fasten on them, therefore they came out in this bat-fashion, taking their pleasure sadly in a pleasure ground that had emptied of its rightful occupants. Beyond the sheltering screen of bushes and palings came a realm of brilliant lights and noisy, rushing traffic. A blazing, many-tiered stretch of windows shone through the dusk and almost dispersed it, marking the haunts of those other people, who held their own in life’s struggle, or at any rate had not had to admit failure. So Gortsby’s imagination pictured things as he sat on his bench in the almost deserted walk. He was in the mood to count himself among the defeated. Money troubles did not press on him; had he so wished he could have strolled into the thoroughfares of light and noise, and taken his place among the jostling ranks of those who enjoyed prosperity or struggled for it. He had failed in a more subtle ambition, and for the moment he was heartsore and disillusionised, and not disinclined to take a certain cynical pleasure in observing and labelling his fellow wanderers as they went their ways in the dark stretches between the lamp-lights.
Based on this excerpt, which inference can you make about Gortsby’s character based on his choices?

Responses

He would rather be unhappy than happy.
He would rather be unhappy than happy. - no response given

He doesn’t understand how to be wealthy.
He doesn’t understand how to be wealthy. - no response given

He loves to be around people.
He loves to be around people. - no response given

He can admit failure.
He can admit failure. - no response given

Answer 1

Based on the excerpt from "Dusk," the best inference about Gortsby’s character based on his choices is:

He can admit failure.

This inference is supported by the text, which indicates that Gortsby feels he has failed in a "more subtle ambition" and is "heartsore and disillusionised." It suggests a level of self-awareness and acceptance of his circumstances, indicating that he acknowledges his failures rather than pretending to be part of the world of prosperity and success he observes around him.