Question

Robert stayed with me. "You want me to bring you something, Paul?" he asked.

"No," I said, going down the steps.

"Well, then come on back in the kitchen and get yourself something. There's a lot of good food in there - ham and fried chicken, dumplings, sweet-potato pie and -"

"Don't want any," I replied, and started across the yard.

"Where you going?" Robert called. "Your mama told George and me you were to stay on this porch!"

"Well, that's between my mama and me!"

"You leave, you gonna miss out on all this good food!"

I stopped long enough to turn and shout, "Last thing I want is my daddy's food from a table he doesn't even want me to sit at when his company comes calling!" As I finished my words, I saw that Hammond was standing at the corner of the house. I knew he saw me too, but I didn't care. I turned and ran toward the woods with Robert calling after me to come back.

—The Land,Mildred D. Taylor

Which word best describes Paul’s feelings in this passage?



What causes Paul to feel the way he does?

Answer 1

The word that best describes Paul's feelings in this passage is **resentful**.

Paul feels this way primarily because of his strained relationship with his father. His rejection of the food, which represents a rejected connection to his family and home life, highlights his frustration and hurt over being excluded from the family dynamics and the lack of acceptance he feels from his father. Paul's decision to leave the porch and run toward the woods signifies his desire to escape from a situation that amplifies his feelings of alienation and disappointment.