county attorney (with the gallantry of a young politician).

which best describes the effect of the word “gallantry” in this excerpt?
it creates the setting by hinting at a period in time when men were more inclined to treat women with respect.
it develops the conflict by creating tension as the other men in the story realize the county attorney actually sympathizes with women.
it enhances the theme of the story by showing that some men are capable of treating women with respect, even if it does not seem so.
it characterizes the county attorney as someone desirous of showing respect to women, even if he does not mean it.

The effect of the word “gallantry” in this excerpt is that, It characterizes the County Attorney as someone desirous of showing respect to women, even if he does not mean it.

Option D.

Explanation:

The excerpt is taken from the ‘Trifles’ which is an one act play written by Susan Glaspell. The play is about a unsolved mystery of Mr. Wright’s death.

Gallantry here means manliness, which depicts the County Attorney who shows respect to women, to Mrs. Wright, even if he doesn’t really mean it. The Attorney feels bad for the Minnie, he understands what it feels like to be a subject of harsh treatment by men, and which is why he spares her.

it's either a or b. i'm leaning more towards a.