<p>If one were to assemble a balance sheet of Kipling's
own explicit contradictions, it would necessarily include
his own close relationship with the Bible and the hymnal, and
his caustic anti clericalism; his staunch Anglo nationalism,
and his feeling that England itself was petty and parochial;
his dislike of nonwhite peoples, and his belief that they
were more honest and courageous; his love-hate
relationship with the Irish; his contempt, and deep
admiration, for the United States; his respect for the
working class, and his detestation of the labor movement;
his exaltation of the empire, and his conviction that its
works were vain and transient.</p>
<p>In line 5, "parochial" most nearly means</p>
<p>(A) dogmatic
(B) provincial
(C) divided
(D) religious
(E) humble</p>
<p>The correct answer is (B). Can someone tell me how the answer makes sense?</p>
<p>STAPLEX,
u gotta use the process of elimination. Let's look at answer choice (A) dogmatic. U noe that dogmatic means firmly/ inflexibly stuck to a dogma( or beliefs) which dus not fit here. So that's out of the Q.</p>
<p>then look at (d) and (e) both humble and religious do not go with petty. Option (C) could be the answer. However look up the definition of parochial-- narrow-minded or provincial. Hence (B) is the answer.</p>
<p>I narrowed it down to (B) and (C), but picked (C) because I thought there was a contrast between nationalism, which I thought associated with unity, with a divided state. However, I don't see a relationship with love for one's country and narrow mindedness.</p>
<p>If you knew what parochial meant you could easily choose B. Also the context suggests that it is used in a "negative" connotation. Notice "petty and parochial".</p>
<p>"petty" suggests people who are limited and small-minded, which is consistent with "provincial". The contradiction the author is trying to point out is the fact that Kipling believes in the superiority of British culture, but also looks down on his countrymen as ignorant. If you select C, you end up with a sentence that states that Kipling believes in the superiority of British culture, but also believes that his country is divided - which isn't an inherent contradiction.</p>
