Mood" in a novel is typically created through the setting. Which of the following pieces of text BEST supports the overal mood of "building tensions" in the first two chapters?
a
Well, he’s a pretty nice fella. Gets pretty mad sometimes, but he’s pretty nice.
b
"Strong as a bull," he repeated. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten.
c
Don't never speak to him. If he comes in here you move clear to the other side of the room. Will you do that, Lennie?"
d
In front of the low horizontal limb of a giant sycamore there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it.
c
The text that best supports the overall mood of "building tensions" in the first two chapters is option C: "Don't never speak to him. If he comes in here you move clear to the other side of the room. Will you do that, Lennie?" This text suggests a sense of caution and conflict, which contributes to the building tensions in the story.
To determine which piece of text best supports the overall mood of "building tensions" in the first two chapters, we need to analyze each option and look for elements that suggest conflict, suspense, or a sense of unease.
Option a, "Well, he’s a pretty nice fella. Gets pretty mad sometimes, but he’s pretty nice," does not create a strong sense of building tensions. It may indicate some mild conflict, but it does not convey a sense of escalating tension.
Option b, ""Strong as a bull," he repeated. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten," suggests a growing tension between the characters of George and Lennie. The repetition and George's scowl indicate a deepening conflict.
Option c, "Don't never speak to him. If he comes in here you move clear to the other side of the room. Will you do that, Lennie?" conveys a sense of fear and caution. This caution implies that there might be dangers associated with the person being referred to, which contributes to building tensions.
Option d, "In front of the low horizontal limb of a giant sycamore, there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it," does not directly suggest any building tensions. It describes a setting but lacks explicit conflict or a sense of rising tension.
Considering the criteria, the option that best supports the overall mood of "building tensions" is option b: ""Strong as a bull," he repeated. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten." This dialogue and the characters' reactions indicate a growing conflict or tension between them.