Question
Which excerpt from The Great Fire is a counterexample of the theme that people have the capacity to act selflessly during disasters?
"I saw a great many kindly acts done as we moved along," White would recall almost fondly.
I heard of cartmen demanding one hundred and fifty dollars (in hand, of course) for carrying a single load.
The wind had increased in velocity, and burning chunks of wood were being carried for many blocks before they fell to earth.
In addition to the tiny shacks, substantial wood, brick, and stone structures were begun as well, and an army of workers emerged to do the job.
"I saw a great many kindly acts done as we moved along," White would recall almost fondly.
I heard of cartmen demanding one hundred and fifty dollars (in hand, of course) for carrying a single load.
The wind had increased in velocity, and burning chunks of wood were being carried for many blocks before they fell to earth.
In addition to the tiny shacks, substantial wood, brick, and stone structures were begun as well, and an army of workers emerged to do the job.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The excerpt that serves as a counterexample to the theme that people have the capacity to act selflessly during disasters is:
"I heard of cartmen demanding one hundred and fifty dollars (in hand, of course) for carrying a single load."
This line highlights opportunistic behavior during a disaster, suggesting that not everyone acts selflessly and that some individuals take advantage of the crisis for personal gain.
"I heard of cartmen demanding one hundred and fifty dollars (in hand, of course) for carrying a single load."
This line highlights opportunistic behavior during a disaster, suggesting that not everyone acts selflessly and that some individuals take advantage of the crisis for personal gain.