Use the excerpt below to answer the question.

Question

"OLLIVANT. I couldn't get it into my head then, and I can't now, how any girl would want to leave a home like this, where you have everything. You don't know how lucky you are—or maybe you have realized it. Look about you and see what other girls have. Is it like this? Trees, flowers, and a lake view that's the best in the county. I thought you, at least, would stay here, daughter, in this old house where you were born, where I was born, but you had to up and get out.

MARY. Yes. That's right, father; I had to.

OLLIVANT. [He looks at her sharply.] Had to? Who made you?

MARY. [Reluctantly.] It was something inside me.

OLLIVANT. [In spite of himself.] Tush—that foolishness.

MARY. [Quickly.] Don't make it hard for us again.

OLLIVANT. I made it hard, Mary? Because I objected to your leaving your mother here alone?

MARY. I remember; you said I was a foolish, "stage-struck" girl.

OLLIVANT. Well, you're over that, aren't you?

MARY. That's just where you are mistaken, father. [Slowly.] That's why I asked you if you hadn't misunderstood my coming back. I'm not going to stay and spray the roses.

OLLIVANT. [He eyes her tensely and controls himself with an effort.] So you are not going to stay with your mother and me?

MARY. [Affectionately.] I'll come see you as often as I can and——

OLLIVANT.—and make a hotel of your home? [MARY is silent.] Don't you see your mother is getting older and needs somebody to be here?

EMILY. [With a quiet assurance.] I have never been so well and contented."

What conflict is established in this excerpt?

a. Emily is ill, and her husband wants Mary to care for her.

b. Ollivant is angry with Mary for refusing to tend the garden.

c. Mary wants to go to college, but her father refuses.

d. Mary has left her family home, and Ollivant wants her to return.

Answer 1

The conflict established in the excerpt is:

d. Mary has left her family home, and Ollivant wants her to return.

Ollivant expresses confusion and disappointment over Mary's decision to leave, indicating a desire for her to stay, while Mary feels compelled to follow her own path despite her father's objections.

Answer 2

Let me analyze this step by step:

1. Looking at the key interactions:
- Ollivant (the father) expresses disbelief that Mary would want to leave their beautiful family home
- Mary indicates she "had to" leave due to "something inside" her
- There's mention of her being "stage-struck"
- Ollivant wants her to return to stay with her parents
- Mary makes it clear she's not planning to stay
- Emily (presumably the mother) states she is well and content

2. Examining the options:
a. Emily's illness - The text actually shows Emily saying she's never been better
b. Garden tending - While roses are mentioned, this isn't the main conflict
c. College attendance - There's no mention of college
d. Mary leaving home and Ollivant wanting her return - This is directly evidenced in the text

The correct answer is d. Mary has left her family home, and Ollivant wants her to return.

This is the central conflict because:
- Ollivant repeatedly expresses his desire for Mary to stay at home
- He can't understand why she would leave such a beautiful place
- Mary firmly maintains her decision to leave, likely to pursue a stage career (given the "stage-struck" reference)
- The tension between Mary's independence and Ollivant's desire to keep her at home is the driving force of their dialogue