Question

Read the excerpt from chapter 7 of Obasan by Joy Kogawa.


"Maybe,” I said feebly, "he’s trying to be conciliatory and see the point of view of the other side. Or maybe he believes the welfare of the whole is more important than the welfare of the part and the fears of the collective can only be calmed by the sacrifice of a minority. Isn’t that the way it’s always been?”


"Some people,” Aunt Emily answered sharply, "are so busy seeing all sides of every issue that they neutralize concern and prevent necessary action. There’s no strength in seeing all sides unless you can act where real measurable injustice exists. A lot of academic talk just immobilizes the oppressed and maintains oppressors in their positions of power.”

Which mood does the author create in the excerpt?

strained
hopeless
uncertain
nostalgic

Answer 1

strained

The exchange is tense and uneasy—the narrator's tentative, "feebly" spoken suggestion and Aunt Emily's sharp rebuttal create a feeling of strain and conflict rather than hope, nostalgia, or mere uncertainty.