Midway between a certain blue lake and a deep forest there once stood a cottage, called by its owner “The Rookery.” The forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground, breaking with shadows every ray that fell, until only a few little pieces lay scattered about. But the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her, so that sometimes she shone from shore to shore, and the sun winked and blinked above her, as though dazzled by his own reflection. The cottage, which was very small, had sunny windows and dark windows. Only from the roof could you see the mountains beyond, where the light crept up in the morning and down in the evening, turning all the brooks into living silver as it passed. But something brighter than sunshine used often to look from the cottage into the forest, and something even more gloomy than shadows often glowered from its windows upon the sunny lake. One was the face of little Ruky Lynn; and the other was his sister’s when she felt angry or ill-tempered. They were orphans, Cora and Ruky, living alone in the cottage with an old uncle. Cora—or “Cor,” as Ruky called her—was nearly sixteen years old, but her brother had seen the forest turn yellow only four times. She was, therefore, almost mother and sister in one. The little fellow was her companion night and day. Together they ate and slept, and—when Cora was not at work in the cottage—together they rambled in the wood, or floated in their little skiff upon the lake.

Question

What makes Cora complex?

a. She is part of every scene in the story and has the most speaking parts.
b. Her desire for her brother to turn back into a human child shows that she has grown.
c. She is in charge of her brother and must make decisions that will be good for them both.
d. Her love for her brother and annoyance at his behavior cause conflicting motivations.

Answer 1

C. She is in charge of her brother and must make decisions that will be good for them both.

Cora's complexity arises from her role as both a caretaker and a companion to Ruky. She must navigate the responsibilities of looking after her younger brother while also attending to her own needs and desires, which creates a deep and layered character.