Imagine a population imprisoned by their very clothing; the stiff corsets, heavy skirts, and voluminous petticoats that made it difficult to take a deep breath, let alone exercise. add to that the laws and social conventions that cemented a man's place as head of the household and holder of the purse strings. how suffocated women must have felt. and how liberated they must have been as they pedaled their wheels toward new horizons.
why does the author include this excerpt?
to define key terms
to establish credibility
to clearly explain the topic
to offer background information

What theme is best revealed by this conflict? a.)with cooperation, crews can defeat the gods. b.)dangerous ocean travel claims many lives. c.)rest is required for all who work hard. d.)people must respect the wrath of the gods. read the excerpt from part 1 of the odyssey. now zeus the lord of cloud roused in the north a storm against the ships and driving veils of the squall moved down like night on land and sea. the bows went plunging at the gust; sails cracked and lashed outstrips in the big wind. we saw death in that fury, dropped the yards, unshipped the oars, and pulled for the nearest lee: then two long days and nights we lay offshore.