Question

A Horseman in the Sky by Ambrose Bierce It was not for long; in another moment his face was raised from earth, his hands resumed their places on the rifle, his forefinger sought the trigger; mind, heart and eyes were clear, conscience and reason sound. He could not hope to capture that enemy; to alarm him would but send him dashing to his camp with his fatal news. The duty of the soldier was plain: the man must be shot dead from ambush—without warning, without a moment’s spiritual preparation, with never so much as an unspoken prayer, he must be sent to his account. But no—there is a hope; he may have discovered nothing; perhaps he is but admiring the sublimity of the landscape. If permitted, he may turn and ride carelessly away in the direction whence he came. Surely it will be possible to judge at the instant of his withdrawing whether he knows. It may well be that his fixity of attention—-Druse turned his head and looked through the deeps of air downward as from the surface of the bottom of a translucent sea. He saw creeping across the green meadow a sinuous line of figures of men and horses—some foolish commander was permitting the soldiers of his escort to water their beasts in the open, in plain view from a hundred summits! . . . After firing his shot, Private Carter Druse reloaded his rifle and resumed his watch. Ten minutes had hardly passed when a Federal sergeant crept cautiously to him on hands and knees. Druse neither turned his head nor looked at him, but lay without motion or sign of recognition. “Did you fire?” the sergeant whispered. “Yes.” “At what?” “A horse. It was standing on yonder rock-pretty far out. You see it is no longer there. It went over the cliff.” The man’s face was white, but he showed no other sign of emotion. Having answered, he turned away his eyes and said no more. The sergeant did not understand. “See here, Druse,” he said, after a moment’s silence, “it’s no use making a mystery. I order you to report. Was there anybody on the horse?” “Yes.” “Well?” “My father.” The sergeant rose to his feet and walked away. “Good God!” he said. "A Horseman in the Sky" by Ambrose Bierce Question Use the passage from “A Horseman in the Sky” by Ambrose Bierce to answer the question. Which statement analyzes how Druse’s moral dilemma influences the theme of the story? (1 point) Responses Druse’s decision to shoot the horse supports a theme related to prioritizing human life above all else. Druse’s decision to shoot the horse supports a theme related to prioritizing human life above all else. Druse’s disrespect for his sergeant develops a theme about the benefits for the individual versus the group. Druse’s disrespect for his sergeant develops a theme about the benefits for the individual versus the group. Druse’s decision to kill his father develops a theme about the consequences of prioritizing the many over the few. Druse’s decision to kill his father develops a theme about the consequences of prioritizing the many over the few. Druse’s emotional response in the middle of combat supports a theme related to the importance of inner strength. Druse’s emotional response in the middle of combat supports a theme related to the importance of inner strength. Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The best response that analyzes how Druse’s moral dilemma influences the theme of the story is:

Druse’s decision to kill his father develops a theme about the consequences of prioritizing the many over the few.

This statement encapsulates the central conflict Druse faces: the tension between his duty as a soldier to protect his fellow soldiers and the heartbreaking reality of his action resulting in the death of his father. This dilemma reflects on the broader themes of sacrifice and the impact of war on individual lives, emphasizing the tragic consequences of prioritizing military duty over personal relationships.