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AP Success - AP English Literature: An Idle Fellow

This is a descriptive piece by Kate Chopin.

I am tired. At the end of these years I am very tired. I

have been studying in books the languages of the living and

those we call dead. Early in the fresh morning I have

studied in books, and throughout the day when the sun was

5

shining; and at night when there were stars, I have lighted

my oil-lamp and studied in books. Now my brain is weary and

I want rest.

I shall sit here on the door-step beside my friend Paul. He

10

is an idle fellow with folded hands. He laughs when I

upbraid him, and bids me, with a motion, hold my peace. He

is listening to a thrush’s song that comes from the blur of

yonder apple-tree. He tells me the thrush is singing a

complaint. She wants her mate that was with her last

15

blossom-time and builded a nest with her. She will have no

other mate. She will call for him till she hears the notes

of her beloved-one’s song coming swiftly towards her across

forest and field.

20

Paul is a strange fellow. He gazed idly at a billowy white

cloud that rolls lazily over and over along the edge of the

blue sky.

He turns away from me and the words with which I would

25

instruct him, to drink deep the scent of the clover-field

and the thick perfume from the rose-hedge.

We rise from the door-step and walk together down the gentle

slope of the hill; past the apple-tree, and the rose-hedge;

30

and along the border of the field where wheat is growing. We

walk down to the foot of the gentle slope where women and

men and children are living.

Paul is a strange fellow. He looks into the faces of people

35

who pass us by. He tells me that in their eyes he reads the

story of their souls. He knows men and women and the little

children, and why they look this way and that way. He knows

the reasons that turn them to and fro and cause them to go

and come. I think I shall walk a space through the world

40

with my friend Paul. He is very wise, he knows the language

of God which I have not learned.

Source 1

1

The narrator's exhaustive study is highlighted by his routine of studying:

only at night to avoid the distractions of the day.
in the absence of natural light, using only his oil-lamp.
without any specific routine, suggesting a lack of commitment.
during all times of day, reflecting his dedication.
only when the conditions were quiet and peaceful.

2

The phrase "languages of the living and those we call dead" (line 2) most likely refers to:

a contrast between useful and useless knowledge.
a study of modern and ancient languages.
an exploration of biological life and death.
a literal belief in communication with the deceased.
a metaphorical comparison of vibrant and obsolete cultures.

3

The character Paul is presented as:

a friend who provides comfort and advice to the narrator.
an idle individual who finds joy in simple pleasures of nature.
someone indifferent to the narrator’s achievements.
a mentor who teaches the narrator about academic disciplines.
an industrious individual who values hard work over leisure.

4

Paul's interpretation of the thrush’s song (lines 12-18) serves to:

illustrate his detachment from reality.
show his misunderstanding of animal behavior.
highlight his expertise in ornithology.
emphasize his deep connection with nature.
contrast with the narrator's scientific approach to life.

5

The narrator's decision to walk with Paul (lines 28-32) suggests:

a rejection of his previous studies.
a desire for a new academic pursuit.
an attempt to teach Paul about his studies.
a feeling of superiority over Paul’s lifestyle.
a willingness to explore different perspectives.

6

The repetition of the phrase "Paul is a strange fellow" (lines 9 and 20) most likely indicates:

the narrator’s insistence on Paul’s uniqueness.
the narrator's confusion about Paul's behavior.
a growing tension between Paul and the narrator.
a sense of irony in Paul’s actions and beliefs.
the narrator's admiration for Paul.

7

The description of the environment (lines 20-26) primarily serves to:

emphasize the monotony of the narrator's life.
create a backdrop for the characters’ actions.
introduce a new character who changes the story's direction.
symbolize the emotional state of the narrator.
contrast the complexities of nature with the narrator's studies.

8

In the context of the passage, the "oil-lamp" (line 5) symbolizes:

Paul’s disinterest in academic endeavors.
the pursuit of knowledge regardless of circumstances.
the narrator's isolation from the world.
a traditional way of living that contradicts modern values.
the contrast between natural and artificial light.

9

The phrase "the language of God" (line 41) most likely symbolizes:

a specific religious doctrine.
Paul’s secret knowledge that he refuses to share.
a mystical language known only to a chosen few.
an innate wisdom or understanding beyond academic knowledge.
the scientific terminology the narrator has studied.

10

The overall tone of the passage can best be described as:

indifferent, presenting facts without emotional involvement.
contemplative, reflecting on the different paths of life.
humorous, mocking the pursuits of the characters.
didactic, teaching a clear moral lesson.
cynical, with a critical view of both characters.

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