The following text is from Thomas Mann's 1924 novel The Magic Mountain, translated by John E. Woods in 1995.The story...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is from Thomas Mann's 1924 novel The Magic Mountain, translated by John E. Woods in 1995.
The story of Hans Castorp that we intend to tell here—not for his sake (for the reader will come to know him as a perfectly ordinary, if engaging young man), but for the sake of the story itself, which seems to us to be very much worth telling (although in Hans Castorp's favor it should be noted that it is his story, and that not every story happens to everybody)—is a story that took place long ago, and is, so to speak, covered with the patina of history and must necessarily be told with verbs whose tense is that of the deepest past.
©1995 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
What does the text most strongly suggest about the story of Hans Castorp?
Though it is true that stories of even the most uninteresting people are themselves interesting because all people are unique, the reason this story is interesting is nonetheless difficult to understand because of the passage of time.
Even though it is a story of a person of no particular importance, its age and the manner in which it therefore must be told are both indicators that the story itself is important.
Like all stories about the lives of inconsequential people, this story must necessarily be related in a particular way if the reason the story is consequential is to be made evident to the audience.
It is a remarkable story about an unremarkable person, and some of its value accrues to the person at its center.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The story of Hans Castorp that we intend to tell here—not for his sake (for the reader will come to know him as a perfectly ordinary, if engaging young man), but for the sake of the story itself, which seems to us to be very much worth telling" |
|
| "(although in Hans Castorp's favor it should be noted that it is his story, and that not every story happens to everybody)" |
|
| "—is a story that took place long ago, and is, so to speak, covered with the patina of history and must necessarily be told with verbs whose tense is that of the deepest past." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The narrator is introducing Hans Castorp's story, emphasizing that while Hans himself is ordinary, his story is remarkable and historically significant enough to be worth telling.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing a contrast between the ordinariness of the protagonist and the value of his story. It then adds a qualifying note that suggests there's something special about an ordinary person having such a noteworthy story. Finally, it establishes the historical weight and significance of this tale.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What the text most strongly suggests about Hans Castorp's story - we need to identify what's implied about the nature or character of this story.
What type of answer do we need? An inference about the story itself based on how the narrator describes it.
Any limiting keywords? "Most strongly suggests" indicates we need the inference most supported by the text.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage creates a clear contrast between Hans Castorp (described as "perfectly ordinary") and his story (described as "very much worth telling" and having "patina of history")
- The narrator emphasizes that we're telling this story not because of who Hans is, but because the story itself is valuable
- So the right answer should capture this contrast between an ordinary person and a remarkable story
Though it is true that stories of even the most uninteresting people are themselves interesting because all people are unique, the reason this story is interesting is nonetheless difficult to understand because of the passage of time.
- Focuses on the difficulty of understanding the story due to time passage
- The passage doesn't suggest the story is difficult to understand - it emphasizes that it's worth telling despite the protagonist being ordinary
Even though it is a story of a person of no particular importance, its age and the manner in which it therefore must be told are both indicators that the story itself is important.
- Suggests age and manner of telling are "indicators" of importance
- The passage presents the story's importance as already established, not as something indicated by its age
Like all stories about the lives of inconsequential people, this story must necessarily be related in a particular way if the reason the story is consequential is to be made evident to the audience.
- Claims this is like "all stories about inconsequential people"
- The passage suggests this story is unusual - not everyone gets a story worth telling
It is a remarkable story about an unremarkable person, and some of its value accrues to the person at its center.
Part 1: "Remarkable story about an unremarkable person"
- Hans is "perfectly ordinary" BUT story is "very much worth telling"
- Story told "not for his sake... but for the sake of the story itself"
- ✓ Captures the main contrast
Part 2: "Some of its value accrues to the person at its center"
Source: The parenthetical (although in Hans Castorp's favor it should be noted that it is his story, and that not every story happens to everybody)
The logic:
- "in Hans Castorp's favor" = something benefits Hans
- "not every story happens to everybody" = being at the center of a story worth telling is rare/special
- Therefore: While Hans doesn't create the story's value (he's ordinary), being its protagonist confers some distinction on him
"Accrues" = value transfers/accumulates
- The story has independent worth
- Hans is at its center
- Some of that worth reflects onto him
Why Both Parts Matter
The passage is nuanced: Hans is ordinary, BUT not everyone gets a remarkable story. Being positioned at the center of something valuable elevates him somewhat, even if he didn't create that value.
Choice D captures both the main contrast AND the parenthetical's qualification