Sample Bridging
“Somerset Maugham was an early nineteenth century British writer. His works often reflected the widespread prejudiced and racist views held by the British colonists, prevalent during the period in which he wrote.”
Make a connection between the quote and the poem. Support your answer with information from the story.
Part #1: Explain what the quote means.
The quote tells us that during the time in which the short story "Mr. Know-All" was written literature tended to reflect the widespread prejudiced and racist views present in British society (more specifically by the British colonists).
Part #2: Connect the poem to the quote through the use of sufficient examples.
In the story, we are first introduced to the narrator who was a traditional British man. We also read about Mr. Kelada, who although a British citizen was likely born in one of the British colonies. We then read about how the narrator did not like Mr. Kelada nor want to share a room with him because of his ethnic name, his dark skin, his non-British mannerisms and the fact that he was likely born in a "bluer sky" than that above Britain.
Part #3: Explain the connection and state what it has helped you understand.
The above quote helps me understand that Somerset Maugham likely based the behavior and views of the narrator on the prevailing attitudes held by the British population during that period. The views of the narrator could have been that of any British citizen living in Britain or one of the British colonies at that time.
Final Answer
The quote tells us that during the time in which the short story "Mr. Know-All" was written literature tended to reflect the widespread prejudiced and racist views present in British society (more specifically by the British colonists).
In the story, we are first introduced to the narrator who was a traditional British man. We also read about Mr. Kelada, who although a British citizen was likely born in one of the British colonies. We then read about how the narrator did not like Mr. Kelada nor want to share a room with him because of his ethnic name, his dark skin, his non-British mannerisms and the fact that he was likely born in a "bluer sky" than that above Britain.
The above quote helps me understand that Somerset Maugham likely based the behavior and views of the narrator on the prevailing attitudes held by the British population during that period. The views of the narrator could have been that of any British citizen living in Britain or one of the British colonies at that time.