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Questions and Answers
What does the flag hanging around the colonel symbolize?
What does the flag hanging around the colonel symbolize?
How does the town's proximity to the frontier influence its characteristics?
How does the town's proximity to the frontier influence its characteristics?
What does the author imply about the citizens’ response to orders from the capital?
What does the author imply about the citizens’ response to orders from the capital?
In the context of the narrative, which statement about political changes is true?
In the context of the narrative, which statement about political changes is true?
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Which character holds the position of the highest official in the town?
Which character holds the position of the highest official in the town?
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What comparison is made to describe the town's distance from the capital?
What comparison is made to describe the town's distance from the capital?
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What has historically influenced the composition of officials in the town?
What has historically influenced the composition of officials in the town?
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What feeling might the colonel experience due to his dual role as a powerful official and an ordinary man?
What feeling might the colonel experience due to his dual role as a powerful official and an ordinary man?
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What is the colonel's position in the town?
What is the colonel's position in the town?
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What best describes the colonel's relationship with his official position?
What best describes the colonel's relationship with his official position?
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How do the townspeople perceive the colonel's authority?
How do the townspeople perceive the colonel's authority?
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What aspect of the colonel's house is highlighted as significant?
What aspect of the colonel's house is highlighted as significant?
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What event is described involving the colonel and a delegation?
What event is described involving the colonel and a delegation?
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What impression does the presence of the colonel give to visitors during receptions?
What impression does the presence of the colonel give to visitors during receptions?
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What is suggested about the colonel's rise in his career?
What is suggested about the colonel's rise in his career?
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Why are the colonel's grandchildren not allowed down in the Market Square?
Why are the colonel's grandchildren not allowed down in the Market Square?
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What is the setting where the receptions usually take place?
What is the setting where the receptions usually take place?
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How are the soldiers described in terms of their physical appearance?
How are the soldiers described in terms of their physical appearance?
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What is one of the notable features of the soldiers that frightens children?
What is one of the notable features of the soldiers that frightens children?
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What impression do the soldiers give when they enter shops?
What impression do the soldiers give when they enter shops?
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What do the soldiers' mannerisms and dialects contribute to their character?
What do the soldiers' mannerisms and dialects contribute to their character?
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What traditional role does the colonel’s action of holding bamboo poles imply?
What traditional role does the colonel’s action of holding bamboo poles imply?
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What effect do the soldiers have on the local people when they appear?
What effect do the soldiers have on the local people when they appear?
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Which aspect of the soldiers contributes to the terror felt by children?
Which aspect of the soldiers contributes to the terror felt by children?
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What caused the initial speaker to retreat back into the crowd?
What caused the initial speaker to retreat back into the crowd?
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What was the main request in the address delivered by the man who regained his composure?
What was the main request in the address delivered by the man who regained his composure?
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How did the crowd react after the colonel's decision was announced?
How did the crowd react after the colonel's decision was announced?
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What physical action did the colonel exhibit while standing motionless?
What physical action did the colonel exhibit while standing motionless?
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What humorous observation did the child make about the people on the ladders?
What humorous observation did the child make about the people on the ladders?
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What was the response of the little official after whispering to the colonel?
What was the response of the little official after whispering to the colonel?
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How did the chosen speaker maintain his composure during the address?
How did the chosen speaker maintain his composure during the address?
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What was the role of the messengers during the event?
What was the role of the messengers during the event?
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What does the colonel's action of letting go of the poles signify?
What does the colonel's action of letting go of the poles signify?
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How do the citizens generally perceive the granting of minor petitions by the colonel?
How do the citizens generally perceive the granting of minor petitions by the colonel?
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What is suggested about the citizens' experience with official refusals?
What is suggested about the citizens' experience with official refusals?
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Which age group is highlighted as being particularly discontent?
Which age group is highlighted as being particularly discontent?
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What is implied about the young people's capability to foresee consequences?
What is implied about the young people's capability to foresee consequences?
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How does the narrator feel after returning from official occasions designed to receive refusals?
How does the narrator feel after returning from official occasions designed to receive refusals?
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What does the phrase 'the eyes of the government' refer to in relation to the colonel?
What does the phrase 'the eyes of the government' refer to in relation to the colonel?
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What type of atmosphere do official occasions designed for refusals create?
What type of atmosphere do official occasions designed for refusals create?
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Study Notes
The Colonel's Authority
- The story takes place in a small town far from the capital and the frontier.
- The town's highest official is the colonel, chief tax-collector.
- The colonel is an old man, well-known by the citizens.
- He is a symbol of power, but also an ordinary man with a family.
- He represents the government, but also has a personal power.
- The citizens are accustomed to the colonel's authority, and they are not actively trying to change it.
The Refusal
- The colonel regularly denies petitions from the citizens.
- These denials are expected and necessary for the town's order.
- They act as a reminder of the limits of the citizens' power.
- Attending these meetings is not a formality; they are meaningful for the citizens.
- The citizens feel neither disappointed nor tired after a refusal.
The Soldiers
- Soldiers are sent from a distant location to support the colonel.
- They are seen as a source of fear and tension for the citizens.
- Their appearance is intimidating: small, agile, with prominent teeth and twitching eyes.
- They speak a foreign dialect, adding to the sense of detachment from the town.
The Government's Influence
- The town submits to government orders, but the capital's influence is mostly indirect.
- The townspeople have little knowledge about events in the capital.
- The government's power is felt through the colonel and the soldiers.
Younger Generation
- Young people between 17 and 20 are more likely to be discontent with the system.
- This discontent comes from their inability to foresee the consequences of their actions.
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Description
Test your understanding of the themes and characters in 'The Colonel's Authority'. This quiz explores the dynamics of power, authority, and citizen interactions in a small town setting. Analyze how the colonel's role affects the lives of the townspeople and their perception of government.
