Question 152·Easy·Command of Evidence
In Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet is portrayed as valuing independent judgment over social expectations: _____
Which quotation from Pride and Prejudice most effectively illustrates the claim?
For evidence-based quote questions about a character trait or claim, first translate the claim into simple terms (e.g., "chooses for herself instead of doing what others expect"). Then skim the options looking for the one that directly shows that idea in action—especially any mention of resisting pressure, refusing to be controlled, or stating a principle. Quickly eliminate lines that only describe feelings, neutral actions, or details that don’t clearly connect to the specific claim, and choose the quote that most explicitly matches the key words and contrast in the prompt.
Hints
Clarify the key idea of the claim
Focus on the words "independent judgment" and "social expectations." Which quote shows Elizabeth making up her own mind even when others might want something different?
Look for pressure or control from others
Ask yourself: In which option is there a sense that other people are trying to influence, persuade, or intimidate Elizabeth, and she responds in a particular way?
Distinguish feelings/activities from principles
Some quotes only describe what Elizabeth feels or does. One quote, however, clearly expresses a personal principle or attitude about how she reacts when others try to impose their will on her.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate and understand the claim
The claim says that Elizabeth Bennet "values independent judgment over social expectations." This means she prefers to decide for herself what is right, even if that goes against what other people want, expect, or pressure her to do.
Check what each option is mainly showing
Quickly summarize each quotation in your own words:
- A: Elizabeth is sure she could never be persuaded to marry Darcy.
- B: Elizabeth spends her free time dancing, reading, and talking.
- C: Hearing Mr. Collins’s name makes Elizabeth feel amused and impatient.
- D: Elizabeth describes herself as stubborn and says she cannot bear being controlled by others, and that she becomes braver when others try to intimidate her.
Eliminate choices that don’t mention pressure or expectations
The key idea in the claim is a conflict between her own judgment and what others want or expect.
- B is just about her hobbies; it doesn’t show any tension with social expectations.
- C only shows her emotional reaction to Mr. Collins; again, no clear conflict with what society expects. So B and C do not directly support the idea that she values independent judgment over social pressure.
Choose the quotation that best shows resistance to others’ will
Now compare A and D:
- A shows Elizabeth rejecting Darcy as a possible husband, but it does not clearly show that she’s resisting society or other people trying to control her; it’s mainly about her dislike of Darcy.
- D explicitly talks about her attitude toward other people’s will: she says she has a "stubbornness" that "can never bear to be frightened at the will of others" and that her "courage always rises" when people try to intimidate her. This directly illustrates that she will not be ruled by others’ expectations and stands by her own judgment.
Therefore, the quotation that most effectively illustrates the claim is: "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others; my courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."