Instruction Active Inferring Character Motivation from Conflict That very next morning Robert and I, sitting behind Harmmond and Gcorge on their bays, went over to the patch of ground Mitchell's family tended. Now, the Thomases, like all the other families who lived on my daddy's land, were sharecroppers, and because of that fact, they were obliged to take heed of whatever my daddy or my brothers said. Miz Thomas was sure enough taking heed right now. -The Land, Mildred D. Taylor What does this passage reveal about the differences in power and status between characters in this historical context? O The boys are assumed to be bringing orders from their father, who has the most power. There is a clear hierarchy of power between Paul, Robert, Hammond, and George. Miz Thomas, though she is the only adult in this scene, has the least power and must obey the brothers' wishes.

This passage reveals significant differences in power and status among the characters, particularly highlighting the dynamics of authority and subservience in the context of sharecropping. 1. **Boys as Messengers of Authority**: The boys, Robert and the narrator, are positioned as intermediaries who are likely conveying orders from their father. This indicates that their father holds the most power in this scenario, as his directives are being enforced through the boys. The expectation that the boys will be obeyed underscores the authority of their father and the societal norms that place adult men in positions of power. 2. **Hierarchy Among Characters**: The mention of Paul, Robert, Hammond, and George suggests a hierarchy where the boys are above Miz Thomas, despite her being an adult. This hierarchy is indicative of the broader social structure where race, gender, and economic status play crucial roles in determining power dynamics. The boys' ability to command respect and obedience from an adult woman illustrates the entrenched inequalities present in this historical context. 3. **Miz Thomas's Subservience**: Miz Thomas's obligation to heed the boys' wishes, despite her adult status, highlights her lack of power. As a sharecropper, she is subject to the whims of those who own the land, which diminishes her agency. This reflects the systemic oppression faced by sharecroppers, particularly African American families, who were often at the mercy of landowners and their families. In summary, the passage illustrates a clear power imbalance where the boys, representing their father's authority, exert control over Miz Thomas, who, despite being an adult, is rendered powerless in this social structure. This dynamic emphasizes the historical context of racial and economic oppression that characterized the lives of sharecroppers.