What is the most complete statement of a literary theme

Why does the host answer the guest with brief responses during the party?

Which is it? the desert is than the mountains? 1. drier 2. more dry

From the glass menagerie: "suspended in the mist over berchtesgaden, caught in the folds of chamberlain's umbrella." who was chamberlain? a.paul chamberlain: tom's father b.neville chamberlain: prime minister of great britain. c.pedro chamberlain: amanda's drunkard husband d.cornelius chamberlain: gentleman caller for laura