Critic: Works of literature often present protagonists who scorn allegiance to their society and who advocate detachment rather than civic-mindedness. However, modern literature is distinguished from the literature of earlier eras in part because it more frequently treats such protagonists sympathetically. Sympathetic treatment of such characters suggests to readers that one should be unconcerned about contributing to societal good. Thus, modern literature can damage individuals who appropriate this attitude, as well as damage society at large.
Question: Which one of the following is an assumption on which the critic’s argument relies?
Options:
A. Some individuals in earlier eras were more concerned about contributing to societal good than is any modern individual.
B. It is to the advantage of some individuals that they be concerned with contributing to societal good.
C. Some individuals must believe that their society is better than most before they can become concerned with benefiting it.
D. The aesthetic merit of some literary works cannot be judged in complete independence of their moral effects.
E. Modern literature is generally not as conducive to societal good as was the literature of earlier eras.
Answer: B