River of Angels

Question

by Alejandro Morales

It is unclear why at around the age of fourteen he came to America. From Campagna he had walked and rode on public carts to Naples, where he joined a group of twelve children escorted by Benedictine nuns destined for New York. While in Naples he often snuck away from the Benedictine eye to explore the great historical layers of the city: on the surface lay a modern city, and underground the Roman and Greek cities. Young Rodia was astonished at the magnificent buildings, plazas, gardens, palaces and churches in Naples.

Excerpt from "River of Angels" by Alejandro Morales is being reprinted with permission from the publisher (©Arte Público Press - University of Houston)

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

In which phrase from the passage does the author use synecdoche?

(1 point)
Responses

“was astonished at the magnificent buildings”
“was astonished at the magnificent buildings”

“It is unclear why”
“It is unclear why”

“he often snuck away from the Benedictine eye to explore”
“he often snuck away from the Benedictine eye to explore”

“From Campagna he had walked and rode on public carts”

Answer 1

The phrase from the passage that uses synecdoche is:

“he often snuck away from the Benedictine eye to explore”

In this phrase, "Benedictine eye" refers to the watchful care or supervision of the Benedictine nuns, using "eye" to represent their oversight. This is an example of synecdoche, where a part (the eye) is used to represent the whole (the nuns and their authority).