Read the excerpt from Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, In this excerpt, Mr. Stonecrop is compared to a mountain. How does this description relate to Mr Stonecrop's role in the main conflict of the story? [Mr. Stonecrop] draped his arm around Turner's shoulders and drew him in, into his strength and power and presence. Turner felt as if he were moving in close to a mountain. But when he looked up into Mr. \( \begin{array}{l}\text { Stonecrop's face, he shuddered. Mr. Stonecrop was } \\ \text { laughing, and his mouth was pulled into a grin, but his } \\ \text { eyes were as dead as marbles, almost as if there were } \\ \text { whom others look up to for leadership about Malaga } \\ \text { nothing behind them. He was like someone out of a } \\ \text { ghost story, and Turner tried to draw away. }\end{array} \begin{array}{l}\text { Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is intimidating and } \\ \text { strongly holds his position against the people of } \\ \text { Malaga Island. } \\ \text { Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, changes with the } \\ \text { seasons, and he changes his mind about the people } \\ \text { of Malaga Island. } \\ \text { Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is an elderly man who } \\ \text { lets others decide what is best in reference to Malaga } \\ \text { Island. }\end{array} \)

In the excerpt from "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy," Mr. Stonecrop is compared to a mountain, which serves to highlight several key aspects of his character and his role in the main conflict of the story. 1. **Intimidation and Power**: The comparison to a mountain suggests that Mr. Stonecrop is a formidable presence, embodying strength and authority. Just as mountains loom large and can be imposing, Mr. Stonecrop's character exudes a sense of power that can be intimidating to those around him, particularly Turner. This intimidation reflects his role as a leader in the community, where he holds significant sway over the decisions affecting the people of Malaga Island. 2. **Emotional Detachment**: The description of Mr. Stonecrop's eyes as "dead as marbles" indicates a lack of warmth or empathy, contrasting with his outward laughter and grin. This duality suggests that while he may appear jovial and approachable, there is a deeper, more sinister aspect to his character. This emotional detachment is crucial in understanding his stance against the residents of Malaga Island, as it implies that he is not genuinely invested in their well-being, which is central to the conflict in the story. 3. **Resistance to Change**: The metaphor of a mountain also implies stability and resistance to change. Mountains are often seen as unyielding, and this reflects Mr. Stonecrop's rigid views and his unwillingness to adapt or reconsider his position regarding the people of Malaga Island. This inflexibility contributes to the main conflict, as it highlights the struggle between the established authority represented by Mr. Stonecrop and the marginalized community of Malaga Island. 4. **Isolation**: Mountains can also symbolize isolation, which parallels Mr. Stonecrop's character. His position of power may isolate him from the very people he governs, creating a divide that fuels the conflict. Turner's instinct to draw away from Mr. Stonecrop suggests a recognition of this isolation and the danger it represents. In summary, the comparison of Mr. Stonecrop to a mountain underscores his intimidating presence, emotional detachment, resistance to change, and isolation, all of which are pivotal to understanding his role in the conflict surrounding the people of Malaga Island.