A Horseman in the Sky

Question

by Ambrose Bierce

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.

The Veteran
by Stephen Crane

The long flames sang their drumming chorus in voices of the heaviest bass. The wind whirled clouds of smoke and cinders into the faces of the spectators. The form of the old barn was outlined in black amid these masses of orange-hued flames.

And then came this Swede again, crying as one who is the weapon of the sinister fates: “De colts! De colts! You have forgot de colts!”

Old Fleming staggered. It was true: they had forgotten the two colts in the box-stalls at the back of the barn. “Boys,” he said, “I must try to get ‘em out.” They clamoured about him then, afraid for him, afraid of what they should see. Then they talked wildly each to each. “Why, it’s sure death!” “He would never get out!” “Why, it’s suicide for a man to go in there!” Old Fleming stared absent-mindedly at the open doors. “The poor little things!” he said. He rushed into the barn.

When the roof fell in, a great funnel of smoke swarmed toward the sky, as if the old man’s mighty spirit, released from its body—a little bottle—had swelled like the genie of fable. The smoke was tinted rose-hue from the flames, and perhaps the unutterable midnights of the universe will have no power to daunt the colour of this soul.

Use the passages to answer the question. Select passage 1 and passage 2.

Both passages develop the theme that

(1 point)
Responses

an honorable person protects all living things.
an honorable person protects all living things.

the most important lesson soldiers learn is to protect the innocent.
the most important lesson soldiers learn is to protect the innocent.

going against a parent’s wishes can lead to disaster.
going against a parent’s wishes can lead to disaster.

acting out of a sense of duty can come at a great personal cost.

Answer 1

Both passages develop the theme that

acting out of a sense of duty can come at a great personal cost.

In "A Horseman in the Sky," Private Carter Druse is compelled by his duty as a soldier to fire at an enemy, ultimately leading to the tragedy of killing his own father. In "The Veteran," Old Fleming risks his life to save the colts, demonstrating a strong sense of duty despite the danger, ultimately leading to his demise. Both characters face significant personal sacrifice as a result of their commitments.