At the beginning of the story, Fowler, a young writer, expects a thrilling and glamorous encounter with a secret agent. How does Ausable's character, as revealed by the story's end, subvert Fowler's initial expectations and contribute to the story's central theme?
Options
Fowler expected a bumbling agent but found one who was physically strong and brave.
Fowler expected a cunning master of disguise but discovered a straightforward, honest individual.
Fowler expected a dashing, adventurous spy, but instead encountered an ordinary-looking man whose true strength lay in his sharp intellect and cunning.
Fowler expected a ruthless, cold-hearted killer but found a compassionate and empathetic person.
Explanation
Fowler's initial expectations, influenced by popular spy novels, were of a glamorous, adventurous, and physically imposing secret agent. Ausable, however, appears to be an overweight, ordinary-looking man residing in a drab hotel room. The story effectively subverts these expectations by showing that Ausable's true strength lies not in outward appearance, physical prowess, or sophisticated gadgets, but in his sharp intellect, presence of mind, and ability to manipulate situations with clever deception. This contrast highlights the theme that appearances can be deceiving and true competence often resides in less obvious qualities like wit and cunning, rather than stereotypical glamour or brute force. Options A, B, and D incorrectly describe either Fowler's expectations or Ausable's true nature as depicted in the story.