The critic explains that the writers believe Stalin's vindictiveness and secrecy was caused because he had lost his sanity: "They typically characterized his vindictiveness and secrecy as 'paranoia' and 'morbid suspiciousness,'." The critic, on the other hand, believes that Stalin's vindictiveness and secrecy was merely a characteristic of his typical of a tyrant: "'Morbid suspiciousness' has to be a characteristic of tyrants."
So, the critic and the writers disagree on what was the cause of Stalin's vindictiveness and secrecy, i.e. answer choice (E): "whether it was Stalin's psychological state or rather his political condition that was the primary cause of his cruel misdeeds.
Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Julie-VAugust 21, 2019
I wasn't able to see where the stimulus points towards "political condition". Could you help me understand that part of the answer choice? Thanks!
Motunrayo-Bamgbose-MartinsAugust 20, 2020
I think political condition is where it mentions the characteristic typical of a tyrant. So, where theres a tyrant, there would be secrecy
