Question

The thin wafers of paper were fragile with old angers. Crimes of history, I thought to myself, can stay in history. What we need is to concern ourselves with the injustices of today. Expedience still demands decisions which will one day be judged unjust. Out loud I said, “Why not leave the dead to bury the dead?”

“Dead?” she asked. “I’m not dead. You’re not dead. Who’s dead?”

–Obasan,
Joy Kogawa

Based on the short sentences in Emily’s response to Naomi, what mood is the author trying to create?

important and urgent
obedient and exhausted
calm and patient
excited and triumphant

Answer 1

important and urgent

The short, clipped questions and statements create a brisk, urgent tone—surprised and insistent rather than calm, exhausted, or triumphant.