by Mary Mapes Dodge
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.
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Question
Use the story to answer the question.
Which two topics interact to create a theme for the overall story?
(1 point)
Responses
guilt and gloominess
guilt and gloominess - no response given
anger and guilt
anger and guilt - no response given
gloominess and happiness
gloominess and happiness - incorrect
happiness and anger
happiness and anger - no response given
Incorrect
Although Cora is described as gloomy and Ruky is described as happy, these descriptors are not key to the story’s overall theme.
Remaining Attempts : 2
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1 answer
The correct response is "guilt and gloominess."
In the context of the story, the interactions between Cora's responsibilities and emotional burdens (which can be associated with guilt) along with the gloomy atmosphere created by their circumstances as orphans contribute to the overall theme. Cora often feels the weight of her role as caregiver to Ruky, while Ruky’s innocence and happiness contrast with the darker elements surrounding them, reflecting the complexity of their experiences.
