What are your takeaways from this quote from Wiesel?

What if the author had used “looked at” instead? punishment would be deemphasized. punishments would be seen as less harsh. the meaning wouldn't change.

What is most likely the speaker's intent in this excerpt from the speech "solitude of self" by elizabeth cady stanton?

And a work of fiction what is the term for the series of events that build towards the climax