A Fable

Question

by Mark Twain

Once upon a time an artist who had painted a small and very beautiful picture placed it so that he could see it in the mirror. He said, “This doubles the distance and softens it, and it is twice as lovely as it was before.”

The animals out in the woods heard of this through the housecat, who was greatly admired by them because he was so learned, and so refined and civilized, and so polite and high-bred, and could tell them so much which they didn't know before, and were not certain about afterward. They were much excited about this new piece of gossip, and they asked questions, so as to get at a full understanding of it. They asked what a picture was, and the cat explained.

“It is a flat thing,” he said; “wonderfully flat, marvelously flat, enchantingly flat and elegant. And, oh, so beautiful!”........

**All the way to the end of A Fable"**

What message about perspective does the author conveys the in the whole passage:
1. It changes depending on the information that comes with it.
2. It evolves as the person holding it changes their mind.
3. It can be affected by who is looking and where they are from.
4. It can be different for everyone without anyone being wrong.
Thank you.

Answer 1

In Mark Twain's "A Fable," the passage explores the theme of perspective, particularly how it can be influenced by the perceptions and understanding of those observing it. The way the animals interpret the artist's description through the educated cat highlights how information and context shape one's view of something. Given the options provided, the message about perspective conveyed in the passage aligns most closely with:

3. It can be affected by who is looking and where they are from.

The animals' excitement and their responses to the cat's explanation illustrate how their understanding of art (the "picture") is shaped by the cat's learned perspective, which may differ fundamentally from their own. This reflects the idea that perspective is subjective and can vary based on the observer's background and knowledge.

Answer 2

Thank you very much for your assistance!

Answer 3

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy reading!