Which of the following details is part of the pattern that helps readers determine what the animals in the garden symbolize?
A. Marcovaldo follows the tabby to the Marchesa's garden.
B. Marcovaldo likes to explore with cats during his lunch break.
C. The cats are rarely seen during the winter, until the day the Marchesa dies.
D. The cats knock things over and jump on the backs of the construction workers.
To determine which detail is part of the pattern that helps readers determine what the animals in the garden symbolize, we first need to understand what the animals symbolize in the story. The question implies that there is a pattern or symbolism associated with the animals.
To find this pattern, we should analyze the descriptions and situations involving the animals in the story. We are given four details to consider:
A. Marcovaldo follows the tabby to the Marchesa's garden.
B. Marcovaldo likes to explore with cats during his lunch break.
C. The cats are rarely seen during the winter, until the day the Marchesa dies.
D. The cats knock things over and jump on the backs of the construction workers.
To determine which detail is part of the pattern, we need to look for recurring themes or symbolic connections related to the animals. We can assess how each detail contributes to this pattern:
A. This detail shows Marcovaldo's relationship with the animals, specifically the tabby cat. It may suggest an affinity or connection between Marcovaldo and the animals, but it doesn't directly provide insight into the animals' symbolism.
B. This detail also highlights Marcovaldo's fondness for exploring with cats. While it provides further insight into his behavior, it does not necessarily reveal the symbolism associated with the animals.
C. This detail mentions that the cats are rarely seen during winter, except on the day the Marchesa dies. It implies a shift in the cats' behavior, potentially symbolizing something related to death or change.
D. This detail describes the cats' mischievous actions, knocking things over and jumping on construction workers. It may indicate playfulness or disruptive behavior, but its symbolism is not immediately apparent.
Based on the analysis, detail C stands out as potentially being part of the pattern that helps readers determine what the animals symbolize. The change in the cats' behavior coinciding with the Marchesa's death could suggest a symbolic connection related to loss, transformation, or the end of a particular era.
Therefore, detail C - "The cats are rarely seen during the winter, until the day the Marchesa dies" - appears to be the most relevant in determining the symbolism associated with the animals in the garden.