Hide and Seek

Question

by Fiodor Sologub

The Nesletyevs, Sergey Modestovich and Serafima Aleksandrovna, had married without love or calculation, because it was the accepted thing. He was a young man of thirty-five, she a young woman of twenty-five; both were of the same circle and well brought up; he was expected to take a wife, and the time had come for her to take a husband.

It even seemed to Serafima Aleksandrovna that she was in love with her future husband, and this made her happy. He looked handsome and well-bred; his intelligent grey eyes always preserved a dignified expression; and he fulfilled his obligations of a fiancé with irreproachable gentleness.

The bride was also good-looking; she was a tall, dark-eyed, dark-haired girl, somewhat timid but very tactful. He was not after her dowry, though it pleased him to know that she had something. He had connections, and his wife came of good, influential people. This might, at the proper opportunity, prove useful. Always irreproachable and tactful, Nesletyev got on in his position not so fast that anyone should envy him, nor yet so slow that he should envy anyone else—everything came in the proper measure and at the proper time.

from "Hide and Seek" by Fiodor Sologub

Question
Use the excerpt from “Hide and Seek” by Fyodor Sologub to answer the question.

How does the use of third-person omniscient narration demonstrate the author’s attitude toward the subject of marriage?

(1 point)
Responses

by providing the context for how Serafima and Sergey first met
by providing the context for how Serafima and Sergey first met

by explaining the personality traits of Serafima and Sergey
by explaining the personality traits of Serafima and Sergey

by comparing the expectations of Serafima and Sergey for each other
by comparing the expectations of Serafima and Sergey for each other

by describing the physical characteristics of Serafima and Sergey

Answer 1

The correct response is:

by explaining the personality traits of Serafima and Sergey.

This choice highlights how the third-person omniscient narration allows the author to delve into the internal characteristics and motivations of both characters, reflecting on their dutiful but unpassionate approach to marriage. The description of their personalities suggests a critical view of the societal expectations surrounding marriage at the time, emphasizing the lack of genuine love or personal connection.