The Crow-Child

Question

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.

What best describes how the story’s theme emerges and is refined?

(1 point)
Responses

The theme emerges as a specific lesson about avoiding impulsive action when angry and is later refined into a broad lesson about the importance of respect.
The theme emerges as a specific lesson about avoiding impulsive action when angry and is later refined into a broad lesson about the importance of respect.

The theme emerges as a broad lesson about showing respect and is later refined into a specific lesson about the importance of thinking before acting.
The theme emerges as a broad lesson about showing respect and is later refined into a specific lesson about the importance of thinking before acting.

The theme emerges as a broad lesson about conflicting personalities and is later refined into a specific lesson about avoiding impulsive action when angry.
The theme emerges as a broad lesson about conflicting personalities and is later refined into a specific lesson about avoiding impulsive action when angry.

The theme emerges as a specific lesson about showing respect and is later refined into a broad lesson about the danger of conflicting personalities.

Answer 1

The best response based on the text provided is:

The theme emerges as a broad lesson about conflicting personalities and is later refined into a specific lesson about avoiding impulsive action when angry.

This is because the initial interactions between Cora and Ruky suggest a dynamic of conflicting personalities, particularly with Cora's care for her brother and her moments of anger or ill-temper, which can be reflected upon as impulsive actions. As the story progresses, the lessons related to their relationship and actions could lead to a deeper understanding of managing emotions and interactions.