3
9
10
Read the excerpt from "Fern" in Cane.
From the train window I saw her as I crossed her road.
Saw her on her porch, head tilted a little forward where
the nail was, eyes vaguely focused on the sunset. Saw
her face flow into them, the countryside and something
that I call God, flowing into them.... Nothing ever
really happened. Nothing ever came to Fern, not even
1. Something I would do for her. Some fine unnamed
thing.... And friend, you? She is still living, I have
reason to know. Her name, against the chance that
you might happen down that way, is Fernie May
Rosen.
What is the effect of the repetition of the word
"nothing" on the tone of this excerpt?
It creates a defiant tone.
It creates a desperate tone.
It creates a resigned tone.
It creates a critical tone.