Question 92·Medium·Command of Evidence
In Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, a literary critic claims that early in the story, Elizabeth Bennet responds to Mr. Darcy’s slight with playful humor rather than wounded pride.
Which quotation from Pride and Prejudice most effectively supports the critic’s claim?
For SAT questions asking which quote best supports a critical claim, first restate the key parts of the claim in your own words (here: who is reacting, what they’re reacting to, and what the tone is). Then scan the answer choices to eliminate any that (1) don’t involve the right character’s reaction, (2) don’t match the specified situation, or (3) don’t show the required tone (such as playful vs. hurt, hopeful vs. pessimistic). Among the remaining choices, pick the one that most directly and clearly shows all elements of the claim, giving extra weight to lines of dialogue when the claim is about how a character speaks or responds.
Hints
Focus on the key phrase in the claim
Underline “responds to Mr. Darcy’s slight with playful humor rather than wounded pride.” Your answer must show Elizabeth’s reaction and its tone.
Check whose voice and perspective we see
Ask for each option: is this Elizabeth speaking or the narrator describing? The critic’s claim is about how Elizabeth responds, not how Darcy behaves or how the narrator summarizes.
Look for humor, not just hurt feelings
Among the lines that involve Elizabeth, look for a quote where her reaction sounds light, witty, or teasing, instead of purely angry, humbled, or resentful.
Compare word choice and emotional tone
Notice words like “humbled,” “no very cordial feelings,” or descriptions of Darcy’s behavior at the ball. Do these sound playful, or do they suggest hurt, distance, or seriousness?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the critic’s claim
The critic says that early in the story, Elizabeth Bennet responds to Mr. Darcy’s slight (insult) with playful humor, not with wounded pride.
So the supporting quote must:
- Be about Elizabeth’s reaction to Darcy’s insult
- Show a joking or witty tone
- Not show her as deeply hurt or humiliated
Filter choices by whose feelings and perspective they show
Look at each option and ask:
- Is this about Elizabeth’s reaction?
- Or is it about Darcy, or just the narrator describing events?
Any option that does not show Elizabeth reacting to Darcy’s slight cannot fully support the critic’s claim and should be treated with suspicion.
Check tone: playful humor vs. wounded pride or resentment
Now, for the options that involve Elizabeth, focus on tone:
- Playful / humorous: light, witty, maybe teasing.
- Wounded pride / hurt / resentment: feeling humbled, offended, angry, or cold.
Eliminate any choice where Elizabeth is described as humbled, angry, or harboring unfriendly feelings without any sign of joking or wit.
Match the best quote to the critic’s description
One option shows Elizabeth making a clever, ironic remark about Darcy’s pride and how it affected her own, which is both witty and playful, not purely hurt. That line directly demonstrates that she responds to his slight with humor rather than just wounded pride.
Correct answer: “I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”