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Tradition by George Middleton MARY. [With quiet dignity.] You thought you'd force me to stay here at home to do as you wished b...Question
Tradition
by George Middleton
MARY. [With quiet dignity.] You thought you'd force me to stay here at home to do as you wished by paying for my food and clothes; well, since I left you've not helped me with my work or given me a penny.
OLLIVANT. Then who helped you? Ben?
MARY. How could he help me? Are men the only ones who help women?
EMILY. [Quietly.] Tell him, Mary; it's best now.
OLLIVANT. [Turning slowly to her in surprise.] You knew and have kept it from me?
EMILY. [Calmly, as she puts down the hat she has been trimming.] I found I hadn't lost my old skill, though it's been a good many years since I held a brush—since before we were married, George. I had an idea I thought would sell: paper dolls with little hand-painted dresses on separate sheets. I wrote to Mr. Aylwin—you remember—he was so kind to me years before. He had called here once before when you were away and asked after my work. He used to think I had such promise. He found an opportunity to use the dolls as a specialty, and when I explained he induced some other firms to use all I can paint, too. They pay me very well. I made enough each month to help Mary when she went behind.
OLLIVANT. [Incredulously.] You! After you heard me say when she left I wouldn't give her a cent?
EMILY. [Looking fondly at MARY.] You were supporting Ben, weren't you?
OLLIVANT. But—that's—that's different.
EMILY. I didn't see why we shouldn't help both our children.
OLLIVANT. [Perplexed by this he turns to MARY.] And you took it?
MARY. Yes.
OLLIVANT. You knew how she got the money?
MARY. Yes.
OLLIVANT. Your mother working herself sick for you, and you took it?
EMILY. I told you I've never been so happy.
MARY. [Simply.] You didn't help me. Ben and I both went against your will, but you helped him because he was your son. I was only your daughter.
[OLLIVANT eyes her and seems to be struggling with himself. He is silent a long while as they both watch him. Finally, after several efforts he speaks with emotion.]
OLLIVANT. Mary, I—I didn't realize how much you meant to me till—till I thought of what might have happened to you without my help. Would—would you have stayed on in the city if—if your mother hadn't helped you?
MARY. [Firmly.] Yes, father; I would have stayed on.
OLLIVANT. Are you too proud to take help from me—now?
MARY. [Simply.] No, father; till I succeed. Then I'll pay you back like Ben promised.
OLLIVANT. [With sincerity.] I don't exactly understand that any more than the feeling you spoke of driving you from home. But I do see what you mean about brothers and sisters. You seem to think boys and girls are the same. But they're not. Men and women are different. You may not know it, but your mother had foolish ideas like you have when I first knew her. She was poor and didn't have a mother to support her, and she had to work for a living. She'd about given up when I met her—trying to work at night to feed herself in the day while studying. But she was sensible; when a good man came along who could support her she married him and settled down.
"Tradition" by George Middleton
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Reread the boldfaced lines. What does this monologue reveal about Ollivant?
(1 point)
Responses
He supports his wife’s past and present decisions to have a career.
He supports his wife’s past and present decisions to have a career.
He is sympathetic to Mary’s desire for freedom and independence.
He is sympathetic to Mary’s desire for freedom and independence.
He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.
He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.
He believes that both of his children should have the same opportunities.
He believes that both of his children should have the same opportunities.
by George Middleton
MARY. [With quiet dignity.] You thought you'd force me to stay here at home to do as you wished by paying for my food and clothes; well, since I left you've not helped me with my work or given me a penny.
OLLIVANT. Then who helped you? Ben?
MARY. How could he help me? Are men the only ones who help women?
EMILY. [Quietly.] Tell him, Mary; it's best now.
OLLIVANT. [Turning slowly to her in surprise.] You knew and have kept it from me?
EMILY. [Calmly, as she puts down the hat she has been trimming.] I found I hadn't lost my old skill, though it's been a good many years since I held a brush—since before we were married, George. I had an idea I thought would sell: paper dolls with little hand-painted dresses on separate sheets. I wrote to Mr. Aylwin—you remember—he was so kind to me years before. He had called here once before when you were away and asked after my work. He used to think I had such promise. He found an opportunity to use the dolls as a specialty, and when I explained he induced some other firms to use all I can paint, too. They pay me very well. I made enough each month to help Mary when she went behind.
OLLIVANT. [Incredulously.] You! After you heard me say when she left I wouldn't give her a cent?
EMILY. [Looking fondly at MARY.] You were supporting Ben, weren't you?
OLLIVANT. But—that's—that's different.
EMILY. I didn't see why we shouldn't help both our children.
OLLIVANT. [Perplexed by this he turns to MARY.] And you took it?
MARY. Yes.
OLLIVANT. You knew how she got the money?
MARY. Yes.
OLLIVANT. Your mother working herself sick for you, and you took it?
EMILY. I told you I've never been so happy.
MARY. [Simply.] You didn't help me. Ben and I both went against your will, but you helped him because he was your son. I was only your daughter.
[OLLIVANT eyes her and seems to be struggling with himself. He is silent a long while as they both watch him. Finally, after several efforts he speaks with emotion.]
OLLIVANT. Mary, I—I didn't realize how much you meant to me till—till I thought of what might have happened to you without my help. Would—would you have stayed on in the city if—if your mother hadn't helped you?
MARY. [Firmly.] Yes, father; I would have stayed on.
OLLIVANT. Are you too proud to take help from me—now?
MARY. [Simply.] No, father; till I succeed. Then I'll pay you back like Ben promised.
OLLIVANT. [With sincerity.] I don't exactly understand that any more than the feeling you spoke of driving you from home. But I do see what you mean about brothers and sisters. You seem to think boys and girls are the same. But they're not. Men and women are different. You may not know it, but your mother had foolish ideas like you have when I first knew her. She was poor and didn't have a mother to support her, and she had to work for a living. She'd about given up when I met her—trying to work at night to feed herself in the day while studying. But she was sensible; when a good man came along who could support her she married him and settled down.
"Tradition" by George Middleton
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Reread the boldfaced lines. What does this monologue reveal about Ollivant?
(1 point)
Responses
He supports his wife’s past and present decisions to have a career.
He supports his wife’s past and present decisions to have a career.
He is sympathetic to Mary’s desire for freedom and independence.
He is sympathetic to Mary’s desire for freedom and independence.
He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.
He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.
He believes that both of his children should have the same opportunities.
He believes that both of his children should have the same opportunities.
Answers
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Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The boldfaced lines in the passage reveal that Ollivant has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles. He contrasts the experiences of his wife and daughter, emphasizing traditional views regarding the support of women and the expectations placed on them in relation to work and independence. He recalls how his wife had to work hard due to her circumstances and suggests that she made a sensible choice by marrying him for security, indicating that he believes women should prioritize settling down over pursuing independence. Therefore, the correct response is:
**He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.**
**He has very conservative ideas about men’s and women’s roles.**
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