Question
Which of these passages from the essay “Fish Cheeks,” the short story “Broken Chain,” the short story “Flowers for Algernon,” or the poem “Escape” best supports the theme that it isn’t a good idea to try to change who you are?
“Dinner threw me deeper into despair. My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table . . .”
“Alfonso didn’t want to be the handsomest kid at school, but he was determined to be better looking than average.”
“Artificially increased intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.”
“I must take this test just like everyone”
“Takes tests”
“Dinner threw me deeper into despair. My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table . . .”
“Alfonso didn’t want to be the handsomest kid at school, but he was determined to be better looking than average.”
“Artificially increased intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.”
“I must take this test just like everyone”
“Takes tests”
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The passage that best supports the theme that it isn’t a good idea to try to change who you are is:
**“Alfonso didn’t want to be the handsomest kid at school, but he was determined to be better looking than average.”**
This line reflects Alfonso's desire to change his appearance in order to fit in or meet certain standards, hinting at the internal conflict related to self-acceptance and authenticity. It aligns with the broader theme of the challenges and potential negative consequences of trying to change one's identity or self-perception.
**“Alfonso didn’t want to be the handsomest kid at school, but he was determined to be better looking than average.”**
This line reflects Alfonso's desire to change his appearance in order to fit in or meet certain standards, hinting at the internal conflict related to self-acceptance and authenticity. It aligns with the broader theme of the challenges and potential negative consequences of trying to change one's identity or self-perception.