Short Answer 
The excerpt emphasizes two main themes: the appreciation of simplicity and the resilience of hope, highlighting how beauty can be found in uncomplicated things and hope can prevail in difficult times. Additionally, it warns against the infiltration of evil in communities without vigilance, reinforcing the importance of these themes as counterbalances to chaos. The confirmed key messages are that “there is beauty in simplicity” and “hope exists even in dark times.”
Step 1: Identify the Themes
The two main themes highlighted in the excerpt are the appreciation of simplicity and the resilience of hope. More specifically, these themes suggest that beauty can often be found in uncomplicated things and that even in difficult times, hope can prevail. Recognizing these themes is essential to understanding the overall message of the text.
Step 2: Understand the Context
The excerpt discusses how easily evil can infiltrate a community if vigilance is not maintained. By examining the events described by the author, we can grasp how critical it is to monitor our surroundings to prevent negativity from taking hold. This context reinforces the themes of simplicity and hope, illustrating that they serve as counterbalances to the chaos that can arise.
Step 3: Confirm the Correct Answers
Based on the themes derived from the text, we confirm the correct options as follows: B – “There is beauty in simplicity” and E – “Hope exists even in dark times.” These answers encapsulate the essence of the author’s message and align perfectly with the themes present in the excerpt.