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 Roky’s role in the story?

(1 point)
Responses

He is a complex character that learns a lesson from story events.
He is a complex character that learns a lesson from story events.

He is a complex character that turns into an animal because of his behavior.
He is a complex character that turns into an animal because of his behavior.

He is a static character that is present to motivate a complex character to change.
He is a static character that is present to motivate a complex character to change.

He is a static character that helps move the plot forward with his motivations and actions.
He is a static character that helps move the plot forward with his motivations and actions.
Remaining Attempts : 3
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Answer 1

Based on the description provided in the passage from "The Crow-Child," the best response that describes Ruky’s role in the story is:

He is a static character that helps move the plot forward with his motivations and actions.

Ruky is depicted as a young boy who is closely bonded with his sister, Cora, and while he may have his own experiences, his character does not seem to undergo significant change. Instead, he contributes to the story's progression through his interactions and relationship with Cora.