Read the first paragraph of the story: As Cole hurried along River Street, the cries of the peddlers changed. One minute they were hawking mended shirts and worn boots and the next they were selling equally worn-out dreams and promises. "Peddlers of hope," people called them. "Predators," his brother, Tyler, said. Preying on hope, because that was the only thing the people of New Chicago had left. How does the author describe the "peddlers" in this paragraph?
Answer (2)
In the first paragraph of the story, the author describes the "peddlers" as individuals who switch from selling tangible goods such as mended shirts and worn boots to selling intangible items like dreams and promises. This suggests a metaphorical transition from concrete to abstract sales that highlight the desperation and hope of the people in New Chicago.
The term "peddlers of hope" is used to describe these individuals, implying that they are trading in the aspirations and desires of the community. However, the contrasting view from Cole's brother, Tyler, introduces a negative connotation by referring to them as "predators." This perspective suggests that the peddlers exploit the vulnerability and limited resources of the people by "preying on hope," which is described as the only thing the community has left.
In summary, the peddlers are characterized through this dual lens: as hopeful figures offering dreams and as opportunistic individuals taking advantage of people's desperation. This duality sets the tone for understanding the challenging societal conditions in New Chicago.
The author describes the peddlers as both hopeful figures selling dreams and as predatory opportunists exploiting the community's desperation. This duality presents a deep commentary on the societal conditions in New Chicago, emphasizing the vulnerability of its people. The contrasting views cast a shadow on the peddlers' intentions and the state of hope in the community.
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