Question

What evidence supports the conclusion that "The Storyteller” uses satire to impart the theme that adults should respect children’s intelligence? Select two options. “‘Come and look out of the window,’ she added. “The child moved reluctantly to the window. ‘Why are those sheep being driven out of that field?’ he asked.” “‘Oh, look at those cows!’ exclaimed the aunt. Nearly every field along the line had contained cows or bullocks, but she spoke as though she were drawing attention to a rarity.” “The smaller girl made no actual comment on the story, but she had long ago recommenced a murmured repetition of her favourite line.” “The storyteller paused to let a full idea of the park’s treasures sink into the children’s imaginations; then he resumed.” “‘The story began badly,’ said the smaller of the small girls, ‘but it had a beautiful ending.’ “‘It is the most beautiful story that I ever heard,’ said the bigger of the small girls, with immense decision. “‘It is the only beautiful story I have ever heard,’ said Cyril.”

Answer 1

Answer

Why are those sheep being driven out of that field?’ he asked.” “

Nearly every field along the line had contained cows or bullocks, but she spoke as though she were drawing attention to a rarity.”

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

A satire is a genre of literature that takes vices, shortcomings, or other issues and hold them up to ridicule, usually with the intent of poking fun at specific individuals and society to assert their views on how the individuals or society should improve. A typical satire will contain some irony and a deep message; even the most comical and lighthearted satire will have a serious assertion and theme. It relies on exaggeration and irony to create humor, which fuels the comical side of a satirical piece of literature.

In "The Storyteller" by Saki, Saki includes aspects of exaggeration in order to oppose the subject that he is making fun of - the conservative, rigid means of upbringing children. He does this by, through the third-person omniscient perspective, showing how the aunt's ways of teaching are ineffective and her dullness and insipid personality do nothing to calm or satisfy the children. I can see this reflected in today's society; on principle, children who are forced to learn and behave against their better nature usually end up rebellious (this is a big hint on a theme that can be derived from the story). The bachelor, on the other hand, tells a captivating story that leaves all the children in awe.

This brings me to another point. Saki uses the character of the bachelor to bring to light the issue of how society insists on upbringing children to be "good" against their true nature. Saki was raised in a rigid household, and because of his hatred towards it he wrote a good number of satires about the topic; this story also includes the implication that there should be room for children to grow based on their true nature. Such a serious theme is brought up with humor. The bachelor's story is exaggerated (and as a result it is intriguing), and what basically happens is Bertha, the main character of his story, is killed as a result of her good behavior. The situational irony and the humor in which it is presented also encloses a deep issue of society.

In short, Saki's story includes the basic aspects of a satire; exaggeration, irony, and humor in order to ridicule a topic and through these methods he also bring up serious societal issues that are worth contemplating about.

Hope this helps :)