What’s a series of phrases

Malcolm x's attitude towards the dictionary could best be described as a) apathetic b) dumbfounded c) awestruck d) disinterested

What does this excerpt explain about this setting

In chapter 34 of the awakening, how does the author reveal the contrast between arobin’s and robert’s characters? through the dialogue the two men have in the parlor by the different ways edna responds to them by describing them with contrasting language by placing them in opposite corners of the parlor