Question Details

I am losing my interest in human beings; in the significance of their lives and their actions. Someone has said it is better to study one man than ten books. I want neither books nor men; they make me suffer. Can one of them talk to me like the night – the Summer night? Like the stars or the caressing wind?

The night came slowly, softly, as I lay out there under the maple tree. It came creeping, creeping stealthily out of the valley, thinking I did not notice. And the outlines of trees and foliage nearby blended in one black mass and the night came stealing out from them, too, and from the east and west, until the only light was in the sky, filtering through the maple leaves and a star looking down through every cranny.

The night is solemn and it means mystery.

Human shapes flitted by like intangible things. Some stole up like little mice to peep at me. I did not mind. My whole being was abandoned to the soothing and penetrating charm of the night. The katydids began their slumber song: they are at it yet. How wise they are. They do not chatter like people. They tell me only: ―sleep, sleep, sleep.‖ The wind rippled the maple leaves like little warm love thrills. Why do fools cumber the Earth! It was a man‘s voice that broke the necromancer‘s spell. A man came today with his ―Bible Class.‖ He is detestable with his red cheeks and bold eyes and coarse manner and speech. What does he know of Christ? Shall I ask a young fool who was born yesterday and will die tomorrow to tell me things of Christ? I would rather ask the stars: they have seen him.

[Short Story by Kate Chopin]

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Options

A

Being close to nature can bring one closer to God.

B

Nature is just a mystery.

C

Books and Man are both detestable.

D

None of these.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

Being close to nature can bring one closer to God.

Solution :

The correct option is: Being close to nature can bring one closer to God.


Let us analyze the passage step-by-step to understand why this conclusion can be inferred:

1. Disillusionment with Humans and Conventional Teachings:
The narrator expresses frustration with human beings and traditional religious authority, rejecting a young man from a "Bible Class" by stating: "What does he know of Christ? Shall I ask a young fool who was born yesterday and will die tomorrow to tell me things of Christ?" This shows that the narrator finds human spiritual instruction shallow and inadequate.

2. Spiritual Connection via Nature:
Immediately after rejecting the human teacher, the narrator declares: "I would rather ask the stars: they have seen him." Here, nature (represented by the stars) is viewed as an ancient, direct witness to Christ (God), capable of revealing divine truths far better than people or books.

3. Peace and Elevation in Nature:
Throughout the passage, the narrator finds solace, wisdom, and a solemn, mystical peace in the night, the wind, and the stars ("My whole being was abandoned to the soothing and penetrating charm of the night"), contrasting the chaotic, detestable nature of human chatter.


Therefore, it can be logically inferred that the passage conveys the idea that being close to nature can bring one closer to God.

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