Washington Elementary, which James and Wash also attended, was a shock to her. All of the teachers were black. The classes were more crowded, and the classrooms were less well equipped than those at St. Mary's. In addition, she had a long walk to school. Every day, she passed by Elyton Elementary, the white school that was closer to her home. "My father would always say, ‘One day, black children will be able to go to Elyton.’" Arnetta wasn’t sure she believed that would ever happen.

How does the author use third-person narration in this excerpt?

to present a contrast between black and white schools
to describe the peer interaction at Washington Elementary
to explain the laws that maintained racially separate schools
to share Mr. Streeter’s plan to integrate the schools