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Synopsis: "Hope and Desperation" follows the journey of Martha, a mother determined to save her ailing daughter, Lucy, against all odds. Faced with a grim prognosis from medical professionals, Martha turns to a faith doctor whose unconventional methods offer a glimmer of hope. As Martha clings to her unwavering belief in a miracle cure, the story delves into themes of faith, determination, and the complexities of hope in the face of adversity. Will Martha's desperate efforts lead to a miraculous recovery, or will they reveal the harsh realities of misplaced trust?
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The Faith Cure Man Answer Key with Explanations
The Faith Cure Man Answer Key with Explanations
1) B. By Martha's unwavering belief in Lucy's recovery
Explanation: Martha's unwavering belief in Lucy's recovery is evident throughout the story as she refuses to accept the doctor's prognosis and continues to have hope for her daughter's well-being. This is shown when Martha states, "No, Lucy was not going to die… Mammy's little gal boun' to git well." Martha's determination and hope drive the narrative forward despite the grim circumstances.
2) C. By trusting the faith doctor's unconventional methods
Explanation: Martha's character influences the plot development by trusting the faith doctor's unconventional methods. Instead of accepting the limitations of medical science, Martha chooses to believe in the faith doctor's promises of healing. This is demonstrated when Martha seeks the faith doctor's help, pays him, and brings the elixir home, convinced of its healing powers.
3) B. It emphasizes the isolation of Martha and Lucy
Explanation: The author's choice of setting, an old tenement house, emphasizes the isolation of Martha and Lucy. The description of the close room at the top of the old tenement house where Lucy is wasting away with a relentless disease conveys a sense of confinement and seclusion, highlighting the challenges they face in seeking help and support.
4) B. By giving Martha hope through conversations with neighbors
Explanation: The author uses dialogue to develop Martha's character by giving her hope through conversations with neighbors. When Martha shares her beliefs and hopes for Lucy's recovery with Mrs. Mason and others, it reveals her unwavering faith and determination to save her daughter. This dialogue showcases Martha's emotional strength and conviction.
5) A. It foreshadows Lucy's recovery through prayer
Explanation: The significance of the preacher's words, "Ask, and ye shall receive," in the context of the story foreshadows Lucy's potential recovery through prayer. Martha's belief in the power of prayer and her constant appeals to a higher power align with the preacher's message, suggesting a hopeful outcome despite the doctor's grim prognosis.
6) C. By challenging the doctor's authority and predictions
Explanation: Martha's reaction to Lucy's illness contributes to the central conflict by challenging the doctor's authority and predictions. Despite the doctor's initial prognosis that Lucy could not live and his recommendation to ease her final days, Martha refuses to believe in medical limitations and challenges the doctor's authority by seeking alternative solutions for her daughter's recovery.
7) C. He offers Martha false hope through questionable methods
Explanation: The faith doctor plays a role in advancing the plot by offering Martha false hope through questionable methods. The faith doctor's claims of having an elixir that is "liquefied prayer and faith" and his fee for services reveal his manipulative tactics and exploitation of Martha's desperation for her daughter's well-being.
8) A. It provides a contrasting view of the faith doctor's methods
Explanation: The author's choice to include Mrs. Mason's perspective enhances the reader's understanding of Martha's situation by providing a contrasting view of the faith doctor's methods. Mrs. Mason's skepticism towards the faith doctor and her critical assessment of Martha's blind faith offer a different perspective on the efficacy of the doctor's treatments, creating tension and complexity in the narrative.
9) A. Through the recurring mention of the faith doctor's elixir
Explanation: The author uses symbolism to underscore Martha's hope for Lucy's recovery through the recurring mention of the faith doctor's elixir. The elixir symbolizes Martha's belief in miracles and her desperate attempts to save her daughter, despite the elixir's actual contents being questionable. The elixir serves as a tangible representation of Martha's unwavering hope and faith.
10) B. By challenging Martha's beliefs and exposing her delusions
Explanation: The story's resolution reflects the overall theme of hope and faith by challenging Martha's beliefs and exposing her delusions. Despite Martha's unwavering hope and trust in the faith doctor's methods, the tragic outcome of Lucy's death forces Martha to confront the harsh reality and the limitations of blind faith. The resolution highlights the consequences of misplaced hope and the complexities of faith in the face of adversity.
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