What is the authors main argument in the "domination of the canyon"

When i was young enough to still spend a long time buttoning my shoes in the morning, i'd listen toward the hall: daddy upstairs was shaving, in the bathroom, and mother downstairs was frying the bacon. they would begin whispering back and forth to each other up and down the stairwell. my father would whistle his phrase, my mother would try to whistle, then hum hers backi drew my buttonhook in and out and listened to it -know it was "the merry widow." the difference was, their song almost floated with laughter. how different from the record, which growled from the beginning, as if the victrola were only slowly being wound up. they kept it running between them, up and down the stairs where i was now just about ready to run clattering down and show them my shoes. what is the effect of the parallelism used in the above excerpt? it establishes the rhythm of a duet to echo the song. it expresses the same ideas. it mirrors opposite ideas. it is a paradox.

As for this city's government, i don't want to say much, except that it is a shame – a shame; but if i should live twenty-five years longer – and there is no reason why i shouldn't – i think i'll see women handle the ballot. which quotation correctly uses ellipsis to shorten twain’s words? as for this city's government, i don't want to say much, except that it is a shame . . a shame; but if i should live twenty-five years longer – and there is no reason why i shouldn't . . i think i'll see women handle the ballot. as for this city's government, i don't want to say much, except that it is a shame – a shame; but if i should live twenty-five years longer . . i shouldn't – i think i'll see women handle the ballot. as for this city's government, i don't want to say much, except that it is a shame – a shame; but if i should live twenty-five years longer – and there is no reason why i shouldn't . . as for this city's government, i don't want to say much, except that it is a shame – a shame; but if i should live twenty-five years longer . . i think i'll see women handle the ballot.

In the excerpt above, what can be inferred by the statement, "the dillingham had been flung to the breeze during aformer period of prosperity.?