Explanation
Correct answer: B.
Choice B is the best answer because it presents a statement that is consistent with Perry’s position as described in the text. The text explains that although Waugh’s works are sometimes divided into an early period typified by satirical novels and a later period consisting of “more serious” works, Perry “challenges that strict division” and argues that Waugh’s writing “didn’t change over time as much as some readers have suggested.” As evidence, Perry notes that Waugh’s biography of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and other early works show the “earnest romanticism” associated with Waugh’s later fiction, suggesting continuity across the two periods and also across genres. It is therefore likely that Perry would agree that Waugh’s works have important similarities that transcend their differences, regardless of when they were written.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because the text states that Perry challenges the “strict division” of Waugh’s works into two periods typified by their subject matter and tone. Perry therefore would likely disagree that such separation is appropriate; instead, he argues that Waugh’s writing shows more continuity across time than this division suggests.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because it mischaracterizes the similarity that Perry notes in Waugh’s earlier and later works. Perry contends that Waugh’s early works exhibit the “earnest romanticism” of his later fiction, not that the early works’ satirical tone appears more prominently later. Although the text mentions that Waugh’s earlier works are often satirical, Perry’s argument doesn’t emphasize this trait or trace its development over time.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because it reflects the periodization of Waugh’s works that Perry is challenging. The text indicates that Perry argues against the idea that Waugh’s writing changed dramatically over the course of his career, and Perry specifically emphasizes a point of similarity between Waugh’s earlier and later works. Given this stance, it’s unlikely that Perry would agree that Waugh’s works became less humorous and more serious over time.