The Orphan Keeper

Question

by Camron Wright

The family home was fashioned out of poles, mud, and mountains of woolly mammoth-type thatch that smothered the roof and walls—standard construction for the Indian poor. But it wasn’t a lonely structure. It stood as one of eighteen similar huts, looking like a lost herd of hairy animals who had lined up in two scattered rows to rest for the night.

At the head of their ranks, indeed, towering over them, was the only hairless building of the bunch: a modern, two-story cement home with an ornate teak door, edged on three sides by a halo of sculpted brass, standing proudly atop a rise of peppered granite steps. The structure was imperial white with a hint of rose, more stately than proud, standing in stark contrast to the humble huts it watched over.

It was the home of Mrs. Papathi Iyer, the landowner.

The Orphan Keeper' by Camron Wright. Published by Shadow Mountain Publishing.

The Invisible Red String
by Quen Law

One bright spring morning Ju-Lin flung open the windows to let in the fragrance of the blooming orange trees and watched in awe as a long procession approached the gated entrance of the moi-yun’s house. Seated in a large, carved wooden sedan chair, held aloft by four brawny servants, was a wealthy matron robed in delicately embroidered silk brocade. The moment she stepped down on her tiny, bound feet encased in dainty matching silk slippers, she winced as if suffering from painful bunions. She introduced herself as Madam Yuen from a distant western province. When the moi-yun offered her a chair, the matron thanked her and gratefully sank into it. Waving away any offer of refreshment, the matron wasted no time in getting to the point of her visit.

Quen Law/YonSheng Xuan. Cricket Media Incorporated

Question
Use the passages from The Orphan Keeper by Cameron Wright and “The Invisible Red String” by Quen Law to answer the question.

What do the physical descriptions in both passages help readers understand?

(1 point)
Responses

the social status of characters
the social status of characters

the traditions of the community
the traditions of the community

the structure of the society
the structure of the society

the kinds of work people do
the kinds of work people do
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

The physical descriptions in both passages help readers understand the social status of characters.

In "The Orphan Keeper," the stark contrast between the humble huts and the modern, ornate home of Mrs. Papathi Iyer reveals the differences in wealth and social standing within the community. Similarly, in "The Invisible Red String," the lavish sedan chair and silk garments of Madam Yuen indicate her elevated position in society compared to the moi-yun. These descriptions serve to highlight the varying social statuses of the characters in both narratives.