In the context of paragraph 15, the word "exalted" means A. acclaimed. It implies that the woman was honored and highly regarded in the social and literary world, reflecting her success and recognition.
A Story of Vengeance
Alice Ruth Moore (1875-1935) was an American poet, journalist, and political activist. In this story, a woman describes memories of an old love.
Yes, Eleanor, I have grown grayer. I am younger than you, you know, but then, what have you to age you? A kind husband, lovely children, while I — I have none of that. Time goes slowly, slowly for me now.
Why did I never marry? Bernard? Oh, that’s a long story. I’ll tell you if you wish; it might pass an hour.
Do you ever think about the old school days? We thought such foolish things then, didn’t we? Every one of us imagined we would have only to knock ever so faintly on the portals of fame and they would fly wide for our entrance into the magic realms. On Commencement Night, we whispered merrily among ourselves on the stage to see our favorite planet, Venus, of course, smiling at us through a high, open window, “bidding adieu1 to her astronomy class,” we said.
Then you went away to plunge into the most brilliant whirl of society, and I stayed in the beautiful old city to work.
Bernard liked you a great deal in those days, because in school-girl parlance2 you were my “chum.” You say — thanks, no tea — you say you know what happiness means — maybe, but I don’t think any living soul could experience the joy I felt in those days; it was absolutely painful at times.
Lord Byron3 and his counterparts are ever dear to the enamoured heart, whether young or old. Such a man was Bernard: gloomy, tired of the world, with a few dozen broken relationships among his varied experiences. Of course, I worshipped him secretly, what romantic, silly girl of my age would not?
One day, he folded me securely in his arms, and said:
“I have nothing to give you in exchange for that priceless love of yours but a heart that has already been at another’s feet, but may I ask for it?"
“It is already yours,” I answered.
Then began some of the happiest hours that ever the jolly old sun beamed upon or the lovesick moon clothed in her rays of silver. Deceived me? No, no. He admitted that the old love for Blanche was still in his heart, but that he had lost all faith and admiration for her, and could nevermore be other than a friend. Well, I was foolish enough to be content with such crumbs.
We had five months of happiness. I tamed down during that time — even consented to adopt his peerless Blanche as a model. I gave up all my most ambitious plans and cherished schemes because he disliked women whose names were constantly in the mouth of the public. In fact, I became quiet, sedate, and renounced some of my best and dearest friends upon his request. Still, for all the suffering I’ve experienced, I’d be willing to go through it all just to experience those five months again. Every day together, at nights on the lake-shore listening to the soft lap of the waters as the silver sheen of the moon spread over the dainty curled waves; sometimes in a hammock swinging among the trees talking of love and reading poetry. Talk about paradise!
But there is an end to all things. His father sent for his wayward4 son after falling ill. I will always believe he loved me, but he was eager to get home to his mother and father, and anxious to view Blanche in the light of their new relationship. We had a whole series of parting scenes — tears and vows and kisses exchanged. We clung to each other and swore never to forget, and to write every day. Then there was a final wrench. I went back to my old life — he, away at home.
For a while, I was content; there were daily letters from him to read, his many little tokens to adore — until there came a change — letters less frequent, more mentions of Blanche and her love for him, less of his love for me, until the truth was forced upon me. Then I grew cold and proud, and with an iron will crushed and stamped all love for him out of my tortured heart and cried for vengeance.
Yes, quite melodramatic, wasn’t it? It is a dramatic tale, though.
So I threw off my habits of seclusion, mingled again with friends, and took up all my long-forgotten plans. It was really wonderful, wasn’t it? It seems as though that fickle goddess, Fortune, showered every blessing on my path. Success followed success, triumph succeeded triumph. I was lionized, honored, exalted by the social and literary world. You often used to wonder how I withstood it all those years. With the heart-sick weariness and the fierce loathing that possessed me, I hardly know myself.
But, mind you, Eleanor, I schemed well. I had everything seemingly that humanity craved for, but I suffered, and by all the gods, I swore that he should suffer too. Blanche turned against him and married his brother. An unfortunate chain of circumstances drove him from his father’s home branded as a fraud. Strange, wasn’t it? But money is a strong weapon, and its long arm reaches over miles and miles of land and water.
One day, he found me in a distant city, and he begged for my love again, and for mercy and pity. Blanche was only a mistake, he said, and he loved me alone, and so on. I remembered all his trilling tones and tender glances, but they might have moved granite sooner than me. He knelt at my feet and pleaded. I laughed at him and sneered at his misery, and I told him what he had done to my happiness, and what I, in turn, had done to his.
Eleanor, I shall never forget his face as he rose from his knees, and with one awful, indescribable look of hate, anguish, and scorn, walked from the room. As he neared the door, all the old love rose in me like a flood, drowning the sorrows of past years, and overwhelming me in a deluge of pity. Strive as I did, I could not repress it. I called to him in terror, “Bernard, Bernard!” He did not turn; gave no sign of having heard.
He passed slowly away with bent head, out of the house and out of my life. I’ve never seen him since, never heard of him. Somewhere out there, he wanders outcast, forsaken, loveless. I have my vengeance, but it is like Dead Sea fruit, all bitter ashes to the taste. I am a miserable, heart-weary wreck — a woman with fame, without love.
Vengeance is an arrow that often falls and strikes the hand that sent it.
What does "exalted" mean as it is used in paragraph 15?
A. acclaimed
B. amazed
C. envied
D. isolated
11 answers
What does the following quote imply about the narrator? "money is a strong weapon, and its long arm reaches over miles and miles of land and water." (Paragraph 16)
A. She always knew that Bernard was a fraud.
B. She used money to cause Bernard's misfortune.
C. She fears Bernard may use his money against her.
D. She was jealous of Bernard's money and influence.
A. She always knew that Bernard was a fraud.
B. She used money to cause Bernard's misfortune.
C. She fears Bernard may use his money against her.
D. She was jealous of Bernard's money and influence.
The quote "money is a strong weapon, and its long arm reaches over miles and miles of land and water" implies that B. She used money to cause Bernard's misfortune. The narrator acknowledges the power of money and suggests that it can be used to affect others negatively, indicating that she may have used her own resources or influence to bring about Bernard's downfall.
How do paragraphs 18-19 develop the narrator's point of view?
A. They show that she regrets her actions.
B. They show that she expects Bernard's forgiveness.
C. They show that she is satisfied that she hurt Bernard.
D. They show that she is pleased Bernard loves her again.
A. They show that she regrets her actions.
B. They show that she expects Bernard's forgiveness.
C. They show that she is satisfied that she hurt Bernard.
D. They show that she is pleased Bernard loves her again.
Paragraphs 18-19 develop the narrator's point of view by showing that A. They show that she regrets her actions. The narrator reflects on Bernard's departure with feelings of pity and sorrow, indicating that despite her earlier desire for vengeance and her satisfaction in his suffering, she ultimately feels a deep emotional conflict and regret. She acknowledges that her revenge has left her feeling miserable and without love, highlighting the bitterness of her actions.
What is the meaning of "forsaken" as it is used in paragraph 19?
A. regretful
B. abandoned
C. disappointed
D. incompetent
A. regretful
B. abandoned
C. disappointed
D. incompetent
In paragraph 19, the word "forsaken" means B. abandoned. The narrator refers to Bernard as wandering outcast and forsaken, implying that he is alone and has been deserted, both by her and by others in his life.
Which statement best identifies the central idea of the article?
A. Staghorn ferns grow more quickly in communities than they do independently.
B. Staghorn ferns have specific duties and share resources to help each other survive.
C. Staghorn ferns only share resources with other staghorn ferns that possess the same genes.
D. Staghorn ferns grow on other species of plants from which they get their water and nutrients.
A. Staghorn ferns grow more quickly in communities than they do independently.
B. Staghorn ferns have specific duties and share resources to help each other survive.
C. Staghorn ferns only share resources with other staghorn ferns that possess the same genes.
D. Staghorn ferns grow on other species of plants from which they get their water and nutrients.
The statement that best identifies the central idea of the article is B. Staghorn ferns have specific duties and share resources to help each other survive. This statement encompasses the idea of cooperation and resource-sharing among staghorn ferns, which is likely a key focus of the article.
Paragraph 1 contributes to the overall passage by —
A. introducing interesting characteristics of staghorn ferns.
B. explaining how staghorn ferns survive high in the treetops.
C. highlighting the variety of plant species that can coexist together.
D. showing how different species must rely on each other to survive.
A. introducing interesting characteristics of staghorn ferns.
B. explaining how staghorn ferns survive high in the treetops.
C. highlighting the variety of plant species that can coexist together.
D. showing how different species must rely on each other to survive.
Paragraph 1 contributes to the overall passage by A. introducing interesting characteristics of staghorn ferns. This choice indicates that the paragraph sets the stage for discussing the unique features and importance of staghorn ferns within their ecosystem, which helps to engage the reader and establish the context for further information in the passage.
1 answer