Question

elf-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man. Which phrases from this excerpt support the narrator's distrust of human beings? Select all that apply. "unselfish and self-sacrificing" "love of a brute" "directly to the heart" "frequent occasion" "paltry friendship" "gossamer fidelity"Read this excerpt from Paragraph two of Poe's "The Black Cat" and answer the question. There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man. Which phrases from this excerpt support the narrator's distrust of human beings? Select all that apply. "unselfish and self-sacrificing" "love of a brute" "directly to the heart" "frequent occasion" "paltry friendship" "gossamer fidelity"

Answer 1

The phrases are: "paltry fiendship" and "gossamer fidelity"

They are both describing the "mere Man", in other words, the human being. The word "paltry" means something that has very little value or quality, in this excerpt it describes human friendship, so the relations the human creates are not worthy, there are not strong bonds that keep them going.

The word "gossamer" means something that is very delicate and light, therefore something that can be broken very easily. By saying "gossamer fidelity" Poe refers to the human faithfulness towards someone else, therefore human should not be trusted as very few things are needed to happen to him to be unfaithful.

The other phrases are refered to " a brute" which can be an animal, they are not negative and therefore don't show distrust.

Answer 2

the quote "...who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man." holds three phrases that support the narrators distrust of humans.

"frequent occasions", "paltry friendship", "gossamer fidelity"