Is topical a open or closed syllable?

What is the meaning of each underlined word in these excerpts from "a modest proposal" by jonathan swift? i think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and i have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. the word prodigious means . the word desponding means .

How are the characters of tablin and keyn revealed in this excerpt from "the guard" by simon dunbar? a. indirectly through dialogue and by thoughts and actions b. directly through a narrative description c. indirectly through dialogue "where's my horse? " keyn asked. tablin looked around the dirt courtyard. he tried to peer through the shadowy arches of the flowing barrel. he even twisted in his saddle to look across the merchant's bazaar, past tents and warehouses filled with goods. "i don't know," he said. "did you leave it in your mouth? it's the only place i can think of that's big enough." keyn laughed; something got stuck in his throat half way, and he coughed for breath. "i can see you're good to go,” tablin observed as keyn struggled to clear his throat. “go get your horse yourself before i take the job and leave you to rot in the flowing barrel."

That alligator hungry. vittles very scarce that time a season. his belly be pinchin him hard, now. but bruh deer is fat, and so he is in heavy trouble. the alligator there in front of him. the beagles there behind him. what bruh deer gone do? he sees the alligator and he hears the beagles. how does the author readers understand what the word pinchin means?