Why does the narrator use the phrase “a confusion of faces”? A. to show that Tolman is disoriented by the lake experience B. to emphasize that the people caring for Stephen are confused by his condition C. to represent Stephen’s mental state after the skating trip D. to indicate that the people Stephen sees are strangers to him

Grasping the full measure of any literary work hinges significantly on understanding its context. Contextual understanding is akin to having a roadmap in a literary journey; it guides interpretation and infuses meaning into the narrative's landscape.

Consider the exercise phrase “a confusion of faces”. This isn’t simply a string of words, but a reflection of the setting and circumstances enveloping the characters. The context involves a 'lake experience' and 'skating trip', which are pivotal events influencing the storyline. Additionally, Tolman and Stephen are key figures whose interactions and experiences shape the narrative. Without appreciating this context, interpretations are at risk of misdirection.

Students are advised to sketch out the narrative's backdrop, pinning down temporal and spatial aspects, and to delineate the social and emotional environment of the characters involved. By embedding phrases within this rich tapestry, students can then extract a more nuanced understanding, moving beyond a surface-level reading.

Delving into character interpretation opens a window to the soul of a narrative. Characters are the beating heart of any story—they act, feel, reflect, and evolve, thus, understanding them is crucial.

In our exercise, the term “a confusion of faces” could convey much about the characters’ inner worlds, especially Stephen's or Tolman's depending on who is experiencing this confusion. If Tolman is disoriented, it reveals an aspect of his reaction to the 'lake experience'. If it’s Stephen who perceives the 'confusion', it might allude to his state of mind post 'skating trip'.

Guidance for students: Consider each character’s arc: who they are at the beginning versus the end, the choices they make, and how they interact with others. Are these faces truly unknown to Stephen, or do they represent a deeper disorientation? Answers lie not just in what characters see, but how they see it—their perspectives are telling of their roles and growth in the story.

Narrative comprehension is the ability to follow and make sense of the sequence of events and the underlying themes of a story. It allows readers to piece together the storyline and comprehend the progression from start to end.

The phrase “a confusion of faces” serves as a literary device to enhance our comprehension of the narrative’s motion—its conflict, climax, and resolution. It may seem like a minor detail, but this phrase is a brushstroke contributing to the larger portrait of the story’s arc.

For improved comprehension, students should seek to identify the pivotal moments of narrative development. Is the 'confusion' a metaphor for a climax or an indication of rising conflict? Mapping out the conflict's escalation, its turning points, and eventual resolution will provide students with a robust framework to understand how individual phrases link to the story's overarching tapestry.