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.
"A Horseman in the Sky" by Ambrose Bierce
Question
Use the passages to answer the question. Select passage 1 and passage 2.
Both passages develop the theme that
(1 point)
Responses
acting out of a sense of duty can come at a great personal cost.
acting out of a sense of duty can come at a great personal cost.
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.
1 answer
The correct response is:
acting out of a sense of duty can come at a great personal cost.
In "A Horseman in the Sky," Private Carter Druse is faced with a heartbreaking decision where he must reconcile his duty as a soldier with the emotional toll of acting against his own father. This highlights the theme that fulfilling one's duties can come with severe personal sacrifices.
