Question 98·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is from Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel Little Women.
When no one was looking, Meg smoothed her faded gloves and glanced at the grand mirrors that lined the ballroom walls. The sight of her worn dress among the silks and jewels pricked her pride, yet she lifted her chin and resolved to enjoy the evening; after all, she told herself, only she could decide the measure of her own dignity.
What does the text suggest about Meg?
For central idea and character-attitude questions, first underline the exact words that show the character’s feelings and actions (for example, emotion words like “pricked her pride” and action phrases like “lifted her chin” and “resolved to enjoy the evening”). Then, in your own words, summarize what the character feels at first and how they respond or change. Finally, scan the answer choices and eliminate any that (1) contradict specific details, (2) add information not in the passage, or (3) match only part of your summary but miss an important contrast or shift. Choose the option that best captures the full emotional arc shown in the text.
Hints
Reread the central clause
Look closely at the part that starts with “The sight of her worn dress among the silks and jewels…” What effect does that sight have on Meg?
Think about the meaning of key phrases
What does “pricked her pride” suggest about how Meg feels? Is that a positive or negative feeling?
Pay attention to the contrast word
Notice the word “yet” before “she lifted her chin and resolved to enjoy the evening.” How does this show a change or contrast in her reaction?
Step-by-step Explanation
Locate the key description of Meg’s feelings
Focus on the middle of the sentence: “The sight of her worn dress among the silks and jewels pricked her pride” and what comes immediately after it. This is where the narrator explains how Meg reacts to seeing herself compared with the others.
Interpret "pricked her pride"
The phrase “pricked her pride” suggests that Meg becomes self-conscious or hurt about her appearance. She notices that her dress is “worn” while others wear “silks and jewels,” and this bothers her; she feels a kind of shame or embarrassment about not measuring up.
Notice what Meg decides to do next
Right after that, the text says “yet she lifted her chin and resolved to enjoy the evening; after all, she told herself, only she could decide the measure of her own dignity.” The word “yet” shows a contrast: even though she feels bad, she “lifted her chin” (a gesture of self-respect) and “resolved to enjoy the evening,” reminding herself that her dignity comes from her, not her clothes.
Match the interpretation to the best answer choice
Putting it together, Meg feels stung and embarrassed by her worn clothes in such a fancy place, but she consciously chooses to hold her head up and enjoy the evening with self-respect. The answer that best matches this is: She feels embarrassed but chooses to remain confident.