Question

Read the excerpt from The Land.

"As I recall," said my daddy, "it was Mitchell who near to crippled Ghost Wind."

"That was a long time ago. Mitchell's learned a lot about horses since then."

My daddy thought on that. "I suppose," he agreed. "How old is that boy now?"

"He just turned sixteen first part of the year."

"Sixteen and he can't ride, can he?"

"That's because you don't let him."

What does this dialogue reveal about Paul?

He admires his father’s strength.
He is learning to stand up to his father.
He is scared of his father’s temper.
He envies his father’s skill with horses.

Answer 1

The dialogue reveals that Paul is learning to stand up to his father. He challenges his father's assumption about Mitchell not being able to ride and points out that it's because his father doesn't allow it. This suggests that Paul is beginning to assert his own viewpoint and push back against his father's authority, indicating a level of growth and independence.