Read the excerpt from Notes of a Native Son . In that year I had had time to become aware of the meaning of all my father’s bitter warnings, had discovered the secret of his proudly pursed lips and rigid carriage: I had discovered the weight of white people in the world. I saw that this had been for my ancestors and now would be for me an awful thing to live with and that the bitterness which had helped to kill my father could also kill me. Baldwin’s use of the word “weight” helps readers visualize the effects of racial prejudice as a burden that
Answer
A
creates tension and strain in the body.
B
eases up and lightens over time.
C
builds muscle mass in the body.
D
causes an inability to react to stress.
Explanation
The word “weight” suggests something heavy that a person must carry. Baldwin connects racial prejudice to his father’s rigid posture and bitterness, showing how living with it creates ongoing pressure and strain. Therefore, “creates tension and strain in the body” best captures the burden he describes.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.