MAYDELLE. Put that down... please, put it down...
JOE. Say you believe it was string ... say it! (Off-stage
crowd laughter and birthday son now set to rock and roll
beat.)
MAYDELLE. Please, for my sake ... put it down.. it's all
right
JOE. I say... say you believe it!
MAYDELLE. I believe you ... I believe it was string ...a
piece of string ... there! There! It was string. And don't you
ever speak to me again for as long as you live. (She exits.
He is alone.)
JOE. String ... string ... a piece-a string ... it was a piece-
a string... string... string ... a piece a string ... (Slumps
to the ground. Lights dim.)
Which statement best describes the intended aesthetic impact of this
excerpt?
O
A. Joe's violent reaction indicates that his sense of indignity about
being wrongly accused of theft is deep.
O
B. By setting up conflict between Joe and his one remaining ally, the
author shows how truly alone Joe is.
O
C. Because the reader knows that Joe is innocent, he or she feels
angry about the injustice of the situation.
O
D. The audience sees Joe's true nature for the first time and can't
help but pity those who tried to help him.