I would estimate that the first one is the answer.
I looked up the summary(s) for both the passages, and 'to build a fire' is about a guy who despite everything being against him, being persistent and dying because of his actions, while 'gumption' is about the hardships of african americans.
Of course, this is just my estimation.
Answer:
It has a mostly negative connotation
Explanation:
Because the meaning of clean usually refers to taking something away that is unwanted; you clean your hands by washing them you can clean some apples to refresh them, this word has many different meanings comparable to being pure or empty.
In romeo and juliet whenever someone bit their thumb at others it was taken as an insult
Answer:
It suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.
Explanation:
When reading a play it is easier to imagine what's happening on stage if the stage directions there. We can picture how the actors are looking and what they're doing. And if you are acting in the play itself then it gives you information for what your character does next whether its 'exit stage left' or 'enter stage right' for example.