altough his younger students greeted the new practice with enthusiasm the old guard had staked their reoutaions on the belief in miasmas

Question

which type of connections does the author make between the ideas in the sentence

Answer 1

In the sentence you provided, the author makes a contrastive connection between two groups: "younger students" and "the old guard."

1. Contrast: The younger students are portrayed as enthusiastic and open to new practices, indicating a willingness to embrace change and innovation. In contrast, the old guard is depicted as resistant to change, having "staked their reputations" on a traditional belief in miasmas. This juxtaposition highlights the generational differences in attitudes toward new ideas.

2. Conflict: The differing beliefs between the two groups create a tension or conflict: the progressive views of the younger students are at odds with the traditional views of the older generation.

3. Ideological Separation: The mention of "miasmas" represents an outdated scientific belief, suggesting the idea of stagnation in the old guard. In contrast, the enthusiasm of the younger generation symbolizes progress and a move toward new understandings, possibly referencing advancements in fields like medicine or science.

Overall, the author connects contrasting ideas of tradition versus innovation, suggesting a broader theme of the evolution of thought in society.