Which Two Words or Phrases in This Excerpt from Kurt?

In this excerpt from Kurt, the author describes how two seemingly simple words can have a profound effect on someone's life. He talks about how, when he was younger, he would hear the word "friend" and think of it as a meaningless title that he could never really attach to anyone. However, as he grew older and experienced more of life, he began to realize that the word "friend" actually carries a lot of weight. It's a word that signifies a deep connection between two people, one that is built on trust, respect, and loyalty. And, as the author notes, it's a relationship that is often tested by time and adversity. The author goes on to say that, in his opinion, the word "friend" is one of the most important words in the English language. It's a word that we should all strive to live up to.

The two words or phrases in this excerpt from Kurt Vonnegut's novel Bluebeard that are examples of antonyms are "matronly" and "girlish." Matronly refers to a woman who is married, has children, and is respected for her wisdom and experience, while girlish refers to a young woman who is immature and inexperienced.

The antonyms in the novel contribute to the overall theme of good vs. evil. The protagonist, Atticus, is a good man who is up against the evil of racism. The other antonyms in the novel, such as hope/despair and courage/fear, also contribute to this theme.

If the antonyms were not present, the novel would be incredibly boring and difficult to follow. Without antonyms, there would be no contrast or relief in the text, making for a very dry and monotonous read. The story would likely be much shorter as well, as there would be fewer opportunities for description and elaboration without antonyms to help create those moments of relief and contrast. In short, the novel would be dull, flat, and uninteresting without the presence of antonyms.