In Daphne Du Maurier's short story, "The Birds," what word describes Nat and his family's need for communication with the outside world? The word...

In Daphne Du Maurier's short story, "The Birds," the main
character is Nat Hocken, who lives with his wife and two children on "the Cornish coast
of England."

Wounded in the war, and compensated by way of
a pension, Nat supports his family by working part-time at the Triggs, a neighboring
farm.

Nat has a reputation of keeping to himself—described
as a "solitary" person. He is observant and notices the birds gathering, as well as
their unusually aggressive behavior. It is perhaps because he is so much on his own that
he sees what his neighbors do not. After the first night defending his family and home
from the attacks of the birds, he notices (going outside) that no smoke is rising from
the fireplaces of homes in town, and when visiting the Triggs' farm, he find Mr. and
Mrs. Trigg dead, as well Jim, their hired hand.

If I were
to choose one answer, I would select "unnecessary." Though his interactions with the
Triggs is "placid" (calm), Nat's disposition seems to lean more closely to
"unnecessary." He is an efficient worker, but seemingly introspective and quietly
observant. The other choices do not seem to fit at all. As the family is very closely
knit, I believe this description could apply to both Nat, and his wife and children.
("Imperative" means "absolutely necessary," and "furtive" means
"sneaky.")