Read the excerpt.
from Northanger Abbey
Mrs. Allen.... was admirably fitted to introduce a young lady into public, being
as fond of going every where and seeing every
thing herself, as any young lady could
be. Dress was her passion. She had a
most harmless delight in being fine; and our
heroine's entrée into life could not take place
till after three or four days had been
spent in learning what was mostly worn, and
her chaperon was provided with a
dress
of the newest fashion. Catherine,
too, made some purchases herself; and when all
these matters were arranged, the important
evening came which was to usher her
into the Upper Rooms. Her hair was cut and dressed
by the best hand, her clothes
put
on with care, and both Mrs. Allen and her
maid declared she looked quite as she
should do. With such encouragement, Catherine
hoped at least to pass uncensured
through the crowd. As for admiration, it was always
very welcome when it came, but
she did not depend on it.
Mrs. Allen was so long in dressing, that they did not enter the ball-room till
ate. The season was full, the room crowded,
and the two ladies squeezed in as well
as
they could. As for Mr. Allen, he repaired directly to
the card-room, and left them to
enjoy a mob by themselves. With more care for the
safety of her new gown than
for
the comfort of her protegée, Mrs. Allen made
her way through the throng of men by
he door, as swiftly as the necessary caution would
allow; Catherine, however, kept
Close at her side, and linked her arm too firmly
within her friend's to be torn asunder
by any common effort of a struggling assembly.
From Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)
Which inference can be made about Catherine's feelings
regarding dress and clothing?
1. She thinks that spending too much time on
dress and clothing is frivolous.
2. She feels that protecting the quality of her dress
and clothing is of utmost importance
.
3. She believes that by meeting social expectations
for dress and clothing she will avoid criticism.
4. She hopes that by putting great care and effort
into her dress and clothing she will attract
more attention.