Years passed by. Every spring when the roses began to bloom seven youths and seven maidens were put on board of a black-sailed ship and sent to Crete to pay the tribute which King Minos required. In every house in Athens there was sorrow and dread, and the people lifted up their hands to Athena on the hilltop and cried out, "How long, O Queen of the Air, how long shall this thing be?"

Question

In the meanwhile the little child at Troezen on the other side of the sea had grown to be a man. His name, Theseus, was in everybody's mouth, for he had done great deeds of daring; and at last he had come to Athens to find his father, King Aegeus, who had never heard whether he was alive or dead; and when the youth had made himself known, the king had welcomed him to his home and all the people were glad because so noble a prince had come to dwell among them and, in time, to rule over their city.

–“The Cruel Tribute,”
James Baldwin

Why does the author allow years to pass between the making of the treaty with King Minos and the return of Aegeus’s son, Theseus? Check all that apply.

to emphasize how terrible the situation is
to prove that Aegeus is courageous
to make readers curious about Theseus’s role in the plot
to allow Theseus to grow and mature
to cause readers to lose interest

Answer 1

The author allows years to pass between the making of the treaty with King Minos and the return of Aegeus’s son, Theseus, for the following reasons:

1. To emphasize how terrible the situation is: The passage highlights the ongoing tragedy faced by the people of Athens over the years, as they suffer the sorrow and dread of losing youths to the tribute demanded by King Minos.

2. To make readers curious about Theseus’s role in the plot: The passage builds anticipation for Theseus's involvement, suggesting that he may bring a change to the tragic situation that has persisted.

3. To allow Theseus to grow and mature: The time that passes allows Theseus to develop from a child into a capable young man, ready to take on the challenges ahead.

The option "to prove that Aegeus is courageous" does not directly apply, as the focus is more on the impact of the tribute rather than Aegeus's courage itself. Additionally, the option "to cause readers to lose interest" does not align with the author’s intent, as the buildup of time contributes to the narrative tension and interest in Theseus’s impending actions.