Question

Which statement best describes how the theme of decaying beauty interacts with the theme of gender roles in Eudora Welty's short story "The Petrified Man"?
A) Mr. Petrie in the story was once a traditional man, but due to decaying southern culture and economy, must resort to working in a freak show.

B) The women in the story all work while the men stay home in their houses.

C) The story is set in a particularly disgusting beauty parlor, suggesting that while it is a traditional role for women to make themselves beautiful, all beauty fades.

D) Leota was once a beautiful woman who filled traditional gender roles, but due to the decline of her beauty with age, she must work to take care of her unemployed husband.

Answer 1

The answer is C) The story is set in a particularly disgusting beauty parlor, suggesting that while it is a traditional role for women to make themselves beautiful, all beauty fades.

Answer 2

The answer to the given question above would be option D. The statement that best describes how the theme of decaying beauty interacts with the theme of gender roles in Eudora Welty's short story "The Petrified Man" is this:  Leota was once a beautiful woman who filled traditional gender roles, but due to the decline of her beauty with age, she must work to take care of her unemployed husband. Hope this helps.