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Pride and Prejudice - Language
This GCSE English Literature quiz challenges you on language in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Language in Pride and Prejudice often hints at meanings which are left unstated. The narrative does not expend much time on description, whether of physical appearances, or of landscape and other surroundings. Instead, narration is devoted to passing or inviting judgement on characters and situations. Dialogue is often comical, often unintentionally so on the part of the speaker, or playful. On many occasions language conceals more than it reveals. This makes reading the novel a challenge, but also very rewarding. Pay close attention to the narrator, who presents episodes in a highly-biased manner, inviting readers conspiratorially to form the same opinions she holds.
1 .
"Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister has a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!" What does the use of the word "scampering" imply in Miss Bingley's complaint about Elizabeth?
Elizabeth's behaviour is uncivilised
Elizabeth's behaviour is underhand
Elizabeth's behaviour is admirable
Elizabeth's behaviour is conventional
"Scampering" is a word associated with animals, especially small, unimpressive animals. However, the word also implies a playfulness which is true of Elizabeth's nature
2 .
"His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not open his lips, till he believed himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth's feelings dreadful. At length, in a voice of forced calmness, he said..." Which of the following phrases does NOT increase suspense?
"Visible in every feature"
"Would not open his lips, till he believed himself to have attained it"
"The pause was to Elizabeth's feelings dreadful"
"At length, in a voice of forced calmness"
Time is stretched out in this passage, so that we await with Elizabeth what Mr Darcy will say after she has so unexpectedly refused him
3 .
"In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them." What does the use of the word "humble" tell the reader?
It draws attention to Mr Collins's gentle and thoughtful nature
It draws attention to Mr Collins's dishonesty about his home
It draws attention to Mr Collins's lack of humility
All of the above
Mr Collins can simultaneously praise his home and acknowledge its defaults (which require improvement) while boasting excessively of Lady Catherine's estate and his own connections to it. Although the quoted sentence is in the voice of the narrator, the reader understands that Mr Collins himself has used the clichéd phrase "humble abode"
4 .
"As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security." This sentence conveys Elizabeth's impression of Mr Darcy's proposal. Why is the word "spoke" italicised?
The italics highlight the contradiction between Mr Darcy's thoughts and his speech
The italics emphasise the rarity of Mr Darcy's speaking to Elizabeth
The italics remind the audience that we are not hearing Elizabeth's direct speech
The italics provide interest, keeping the reader engaged
Much of the novel is based on the difficulties hampering direct communication. People do not always express very well what they mean, or might misunderstand what they hear from others. Elizabeth is, however, perceptive here and can see that Mr Darcy, like Mr Collins, has no expectation of being refused
5 .
"Mr Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation, that he never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth, by introducing the subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she had said enough to keep him quiet." Which of the following phrases offers a moral judgement of Mr Wickham?
"Never again distressed himself"
"Provoked his dear sister"
"She was pleased"
"She had said enough"
Mr Wickham appears to have no shame either about his treatment of Lydia or about the lies which he told Elizabeth in order to blacken Mr Darcy's reputation
6 .
After complaining of her woes at length to her sister, Mrs Bennet ends with the following sentence: "However, your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, of long sleeves." What effect is produced by this conclusion to her tale of woe?
Utter seriousness
A mock-tragic effect
Ridiculousness
The sentence gives a reminder of the practical necessities of life and the inevitability of any mother's concern with such details
The sentence produces a comic effect, but at the expense of Mrs Bennet, who can be cheered by the new fashion for long sleeves in the face of her many disappointments and concern over her daughters' futures
7 .
"In such an exigence my uncle's advice and assistance would be every thing in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness." Jane finishes her letter to Elizabeth in a tone of...
Acceptance
Distress
Hesitancy
Calmness
Jane's usual placidity is disrupted by Lydia's elopement, and by being left alone with the unhelpful Mrs Bennet and the younger sisters. She expresses an immediate need for rational, practical help from her uncle and from the presence of her sister
8 .
"Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures. They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for me. I should infinitely prefer a book." How could Mary's dialogue best be described?
Lacking in self-awareness
Inconsiderate of the feelings of others
Condescending
All of the above
Mary is very young and has a tendency to pronounce authoritatively and moralistically on every subject. Her speech is peppered with grand words such as "depreciate", "congenial" and "generality"; she also looks down upon others
9 .
"On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married." Elizabeth objects strongly to Mr Collins's speech, interrupting him after this sentence. Which of the following phrases is the immediate cause of her objection?
"I shall be uniformly silent"
"You may assure yourself"
"No ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips"
"When we are married"
Mr Collins assumes that Elizabeth will marry him, referring to "when", rather than "if". Her response is scathing: "You are too hasty, sir. You forget that I have made no answer"
10 .
"The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow." Which of the following words satirises Lady Catherine?
Party
Gathered
Fire
Determine
Lady Catherine believes herself to be a reliable weather forecaster, in the same way that she can pronounce on any subject. The use of the word "determine" additionally implies an element of control and of certainty impossible when predicting the weather
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