Character and Theme in "Gentleman of Rio en Medio"
Question 4 • Language Arts 7 B (M12 25/26 S2)
Read the words of Don Anselmo in Gentleman of Río en Medio"The trees in that orchard are not mine, Señor, they belong to the children of the village. Every person in Río en Medio born since the railroad came to Santa Fe owns a tree in that orchard. I did not sell the trees because I could not. They are not mine."How does Don Anselmo’s sale of his land, but not the trees on that land, help reveal a theme in the story?
Answer
A
Don Anselmo’s action allows him to make more money on his land than the Americans want to pay.
B
Don Anselmo’s action allows him to keep possession of the orchard on the property he sold.
C
Don Anselmo’s action allows him to continue to plant trees on the land he sold to the Americans.
D
Don Anselmo’s action allows him to ensure that his entire community prospers from the sale of his land.
Explanation
Don Anselmo separates the land he can sell from the trees that belong to the village’s children. By refusing to sell the trees, he protects something the whole community can share and enjoy. This supports the theme that community ties and generosity matter more than treating everything as private property. Choice D is closest because it shows his concern for the community’s benefit, not just his own gain.
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