Question

Which citation from "The Petrified Man" would best support an analysis of the theme of gender roles in the story?

"'Mr. Fletcher would beat you on the head if you didn't have it now,' said Leota reasonably, 'After going this far.'"

"'Oh, you mistake me, I don't mean for her to get soft-far from it! Women have to stand up for themselves, or there's just no telling."

"She says, 'You ain't worked a lick in six months, and here I make five hundred dollars in two seconts, and what thanks do I get for it?'"

"It was a child's voice, and the women looked down. A little boy was making tents with aluminum wave pinchers on the floor under the sink."

Answer 1

"'Oh, you mistake me, I don't mean for her to get soft-far from it! Women have to stand up for themselves, or there's just no telling."

Answer 2

Answer: "'Oh, you mistake me, I don't mean for her to get soft-far from it! Women have to stand up for themselves, or there's just no telling."

Explanation: "The Petrified Man" portrays the men, excluding Billy, as dominated by women. The citation is ironic because the women in the story pride themselves for being in charge.