Question

Read the excerpt from Walden.

Hardly a man takes a half-hour’s nap after dinner, but when he wakes he holds up his head and asks, “What’s the news?” as if the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels [soldiers].
Which best describes the “man” Thoreau refers to in the excerpt?
He expects others to attend to his needs when he wakes up.
He is under constant protection by soldiers.
He naps often and is always sleepy.
He must have the most up-to-date news at all times.

Answer 1

He expects others to attend to his needs when he wakes up.

Explanation: By asking "What’s the news?" as if "the rest of mankind had stood his sentinels," Thoreau criticizes a man who assumes others have been watching and looking after him and will now report or provide for him.