<p>The critic Edmund Wilson was not a self-conscious
letter writer or one who tried to sustain studied manner-
isms. Nor did he resort to artifice or entangle himself in
circumlocutions. The young, middle-aged, and old Wilson
speaks directly through his letters, which are informal for
the most part and which undisguisedly reflect his changing
moods. On occasion - in response, perhaps, to the misery
of a friend or a public outrage or a personal challenge - he
can become eloquent , even passionate, but that is not his
prevailing tone.</p>
<p>The reference to the 'young, middle-aged, and old Wilson" (line 4) serves to suggest the
(A) multifaceted nature of Wilson's literary persona
(B) maturity Wilson displayed even as a youth
(C) effect aging had on Wilson's temperment
(D) longevity of Wilson's literary career
(E) consistency of Wilson's letter-writing style</p>
<p>(NOTE: The passage is appropriatly lined, and line 4 is really line 4)</p>
<p>There is nowhere in this passage that suggests that the letters come from a lifetime collections instead of the letters he writes presently. This is why I hate the SAT. At least they finally dumped the analogies.</p>
<p>The correct answer is “E”. The question is straightforward.</p>
<p>(A) multifaceted nature of Wilson’s literary persona- This is the opposite of what the passage mentions that Wilson “speaks directly through his letters, which are informal for
the most part and which undisguisedly reflect his changing
moods.”
(B) maturity Wilson displayed even as a youth- Doesn’t mention his maturity. “On occasion - in response, perhaps, to the misery of a friend or a public outrage or a personal challenge - he can become eloquent , even passionate, but that is not his
prevailing tone.”
(C) effect aging had on Wilson’s temperament- Doesn’t mention aging or temperament.
(D) longevity of Wilson’s literary career- Doesn’t say how long he wrote.
(E) consistency of Wilson’s letter-writing style- Bingo “speaks directly through his letters, which are informal for the most part and which undisguisedly reflect his changing
moods.” This is his consistent writing style.</p>
<p>…The young, middle-aged, and old Wilson
speaks directly through his letters, which are informal for
the most part and which undisguisedly reflect his changing
moods…</p>
<p>The changing moods part is what confuses me, it says hes moods are changing so does that not indicated a multi-faceted persona?</p>
<p>I’ve heard of many people be described as young and old, such as “he’s so mature for his age” or “she’s 80 years young.” I would not at all be confused if someone, especially their personality, was described as young, middle aged, and old.</p>