Question

When Giovanni questions whether the garden is “the Eden of the present world” and whether the gardener is Adam (lines 79–82), he is expressing his belief that the gardener: F. goes about his work with great care. G. has every reason to be distressed by the plants. H. should treat the plants with reverence. J. should not appear so afraid of the plants.

Short answer

J. should not appear so afraid of the plants.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Context

Read lines 79-82 to understand Giovanni's thoughts about the garden and the gardener. Look for words or phrases that describe how the gardener interacts with the plants.

- Identify Keywords

Identify keywords or phrases in lines 79-82 that highlight Giovanni’s observations about the gardener’s behavior towards the plants.

- Analyze Giovanni's Perception

Analyze Giovanni’s perception of the garden as 'the Eden of the present world' and how this perception influences his view of the gardener.

- Compare Answer Choices

Compare the identified keywords and Giovanni’s perception with each answer choice (F, G, H, J) to determine which one aligns best with the textual evidence.

- Select the Best Answer

Based on the context and analysis, choose the answer that best describes the gardener's perceived attitude towards the plants.

Key concepts

textual evidence

Textual evidence includes specific pieces of text that support or explain ideas and concepts. For Giovanni's questioning in lines 79-82, pay close attention to the words he uses. He likens the garden to 'the Eden of the present world' and refers to the gardener as Adam. This comparison gives critical clues about his thoughts. To answer this question, it’s important to find keywords or phrases in these lines that reveal Giovanni’s view of the gardener and the garden.
For example, by calling it 'Eden', Giovanni implies perfection and reverence, which suggests a certain respect or awe for the gardener's role. This sort of textual evidence is key.
Here’s a quick guide for finding textual evidence:

• Read lines carefully and pay attention to descriptive words.
• Underline or highlight key phrases that stand out.
• Think about what these words suggest about the characters or settings.

character perception

Character perception is how characters see and understand each other and their surroundings. Giovanni views the garden as 'the Eden of the present world', indicating he sees it as a place of beauty and significance. Because of this, he perceives the gardener similarly to Adam, the first man who tended the Garden of Eden in biblical tradition.
To analyze character perception effectively:

• Think about the character’s background and personality.
• Consider how their experiences shape their viewpoints.
• Analyze how the character’s perceptions influence their actions and thoughts.

Giovanni's perception of the gardener shapes his views on how the gardener should interact with the garden, influencing the correct answer choice.

literary context

Literary context involves understanding the larger narrative or background in which a scene or quote exists. In Giovanni’s case, lines 79-82 do not stand alone. They are part of a bigger story that helps us understand his viewpoint.
When considering literary context:

• Think about what has happened in the story before this point.
• Reflect on how this moment relates to the overall themes of the text.
• Consider any literary allusions (like Eden and Adam) and what they add.

Recognizing the literary context helps clarify why Giovanni sees the gardener and the garden in this special way, guiding you to a more informed answer.

answer choice comparison

Comparing answer choices is the final step in selecting the correct answer. Once you’ve gathered textual evidence and understood Giovanni’s perception within the literary context, you need to evaluate each answer choice.
Here's how to do that effectively:

• Read each choice carefully.
• Compare them with the keywords and perceptions you have identified.
• Eliminate choices that don’t align with the textual evidence.
• Select the choice that best fits Giovanni’s viewpoint.

For this question, reviewing the evidence might show that options F, G, and J don’t align with Giovanni’s view as strongly as H does. Thus, understanding Giovanni’s perception that the gardener should treat the plants with reverence (like Adam in Eden) leads you to the correct choice.