How do tomato plants fight aphids?

Which two sentences in this excerpt from theodore dreiser my brother paul are examples of characterization that suggest paul is a superstitious person?

Which passage from the story best shows the author's use of surprise to advance the story? a. i'd have gone up to the boss and told him just what i think, tell him everything i would, let him know just what i feel b. "oh, god", he thought, "what a strenuous career it is that i've chosen! travelling day in and day out." c. and he looked over at the alarm clock, ticking on the chest of drawers. "god in heaven! " he thought. it was half past six and the hands were quietly moving forwards, it was even later than half past, more like quarter to seven. d. one morning, when gregor samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. submit

How does the literature of this period influence future generations of american literature? where have you seen traces of these themes and how were they presented in the other literature you read?