What did Mattie mean when she said to LaBoeuf, 'You are powerful free for a stranger?'

• A. She meant that he was rudely expressing his opinions about her and her behavior.
• B. She meant that he was generous toward strangers.
• C. She meant that he was bold in his opinions about her.
• D. She meant that he would release her from suspicion.

Answer: (A)

Understanding dialect and tone helps here: “powerful free” means being very unrestrained or openly candid, and “for a stranger” shows he’s directing that blunt openness toward someone he doesn’t know. So Mattie is commenting that he is unreservedly giving his opinions about her and her behavior, in a way that can come across as rude or disrespectful. That’s why the option describing him rudely expressing his views toward her fits best. The other ideas don’t match the sense of unfiltered talk to a stranger or the negative tone she’s conveying.