A biographical sketch is essential because the reading of Mr. Bellow's works involves some study in the fields of anthropology, social thought, creative writing, and in the various literary cultures of French, English, and Yiddish. The last, the Yiddish culture, Bellow's protestations to the contrary, permeates all his writing. He has become the great success that all his less popular and less materially successful Yiddish compatriots tried for, yet failed, as suggested by Cynthia Ozick in her remarkable story Envy, Or Yiddish in America, because they lacked a good translator. Bellow does not need any translator; he represents the generation of American-Jews whose secular education was not only as good as their Gentile neighbors, but whose digestion and interpretation of American culture was markedly superior.
21. Why is a biographical sketch of Saul Bellow necessary according to the author?
(A) To learn of all his works
(B) To understand what the source of the stories are
© To understand the influences on his writing
(D) To understand his character better in its full depth
In my view the answer is 'A' because
Author is not talking about any stories or source. He is talking about the Bellow's work which involves study, thinking and writing. So 'B' is out.
Second, author is talking about study, writing and thinking not only about writing and also there is no information which shows that his writing was influenced by something. So I think 'C' is also out.
Also, biographical sketch means a brief summary of some one else's professional or educational accomplishments. It means light sketch, not in detail or depth. There is no keyword that he is talking about Bellow's character. So according to me 'D' is also out.
Finally, only 'A' remains. Keywords like 'biographical sketch' and 'reading his work' shows relation to 'A', so according to me answer is 'A'. The sentence meaning is- It si necessory to get and idea or to summarize or learn abot all his work. Which his reading shows is stydy, writing and his thinking.
I think it clears all doubts, besides it if you think to suggest something or want to add, you are most welcome.
Thanks.