Ihate this shallow americanism which hopes to get rich by credit, or skill without study, or mastery without apprenticeship, or the sale of goods through pretending that they sell, or power through making believe you are powerful, or through a packed jury or caucus, bribery and "repeating" votes, or wealth by fraud. they think they have got it, but they have got something else, a crime which calls for another crime, and another devil behind that. we countenance each other in this life of show, puffing, advertisement and manufacture of public opinion; and excellence is lost sight of in the hunger for sudden performance and praise.
which best describes emerson's tone in the first paragraph?
a.
ironic
b.
skeptical
c.
withering
d.
weary