Read the excerpt from Anthem . The word “We” is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it. Which best states the effect of the imagery in the excerpt?
Answer
A
The description of black and white becoming gray helps to develop the theme that living only for oneself is a colorless and bleak existence.
B
The comparison of the word “We” to limestone helps to develop the theme that collective thinking strengthens society.
C
The description of black and white becoming gray helps to develop the theme that all people are equal.
D
The comparison of the word “We” to limestone helps to develop the theme that a collective society destroys humankind’s potential.
Explanation
The lime imagery shows “We” setting and hardening into something that crushes what lies beneath it. The loss of both white and black in the gray suggests that individuality and human differences disappear under the collective. Together, these images support the theme that a society focused on the collective can suppress and destroy human potential. The correct choice is B.
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