In Paragraph 3 of "The Refusal," the narrator reveals that the tax-collector's grandchildren "are not allowed down in the Market Square." Which commentary best responds to this textual evidence?

Answer 1

The detail that the tax-collector's grandchildren "are not allowed down in the Market Square" speaks to the social ostracism and stigma associated with their grandfather's profession. This exclusion reinforces the theme of societal judgment and the impact of one's lineage on personal identity. It illustrates how the actions and reputations of ancestors can taint the lives of their descendants, highlighting a rigid social structure where individuals are judged not by their own merit, but by their family's reputation. This commentary emphasizes the pervasive nature of this social hierarchy, suggesting that the characters in the narrative are trapped in an inherited cycle of shame and exclusion.