Read the excerpt from "A Genetics of Justice” by Julia Alvarez.

Question

When the novel came out, I decided to go ahead and risk her anger. I inscribed a copy to both Mami and Papi with a note: "Thank you for having instilled in me through your sufferings a desire for freedom and justice." I mailed the package and—what I seldom do except in those moments when I need all the help I can get—I made the sign of the cross as I exited the post office. Days later, my mother called me up to tell me she had just finished the novel. "You put me back in those days. It was like I was reliving it all," she said sobbing. "I don't care what happens to us! I'm so proud of you for writing this book."

I stood in my kitchen in Vermont, stunned, relishing her praise and listening to her cry. It was one of the few times since l had learned to talk that I did not try to answer my mother back. If there is such a thing as genetic justice that courses through the generations and finally manifests itself full-blown in a family moment, there it was.

How does the author develop the central idea across these paragraphs?

Alvarez describes how writing the novel brought her and her mother closer together.
Alvarez realizes that, through her writing, she has finally won her mother’s respect.
Alvarez explains how her mother's reaction to her novel provoked a rare moment of peace between them.
Alvarez explains how she knew that her mother would appreciate the novel she wrote.

Answer 1

The central idea across these paragraphs is best captured by the option that states: "Alvarez explains how her mother's reaction to her novel provoked a rare moment of peace between them."

In the excerpt, Alvarez reflects on her mother's emotional response to the novel, showcasing how the act of writing helped bridge a significant emotional gap. The moment is described as one of connection and mutual understanding, illustrating a rare instance where the author does not feel the need to respond or defend herself, highlighting the peace brought about by her mother's pride and emotional reaction.