Read the quotation from Lincoln Steffens’s The Shame of the Cities . "My purpose was...to see if the shameful facts, spread out in all their shame, would not burn through our civic shamelessness and set fire to American pride." Which of the following best describes Steffens' purpose in writing about government?
Answer
A
to incite Americans into a fiery revolt against their government
B
to arouse public sympathy for government officials
C
to highlight corruption in city and state governments
D
to encourage Americans to feel more pride in their government
Explanation
Steffens wanted to expose shameful facts about government so the public would recognize the problem and respond. The Shame of the Cities focused on corruption in municipal and state politics, so highlighting that corruption best describes his purpose. He was not trying to defend officials or encourage a revolt.
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