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Select the correct text in the passage.
The concern with getting daughters married into good families pervades Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and forms a large part of the social
mannerisms that the novel mocks. In which section of this excerpt does one of the Bennet parents make an ironically false claim about having gone
to great lengths to achieve that goal?
"What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them,
as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books
and make extracts."
Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how
"While Mary is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mr. Bingley."
"I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife.
1 am sorry to hear that, but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is
very unlucky, but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now."
The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest, though, when the first tumult of joy was
over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while
"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an
acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till
now."
"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet, and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
"What an excellent father you have, girls!" said she, when the door was shut. I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or
me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day, but for your sakes, we
would do anything Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball."
"Oh!" said Lydia stoutly. "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest."
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
In the passage provided, the Bennet parent who makes an ironically false claim about having gone to great lengths to achieve the goal of getting daughters married into good families is Mrs. Bennet.

Here's why:

1. Mrs. Bennet expresses astonishment and joy at Mr. Bennet's supposed action of paying a visit to Mr. Bingley without informing her earlier. She exclaims how good it was of Mr. Bennet to have gone to see Mr. Bingley that morning without mentioning it until later. This suggests that she perceives Mr. Bennet's visit as a proactive step towards fostering a relationship with Mr. Bingley for the benefit of their daughters.

2. Mrs. Bennet's reaction indicates that she believes Mr. Bennet's visit to Mr. Bingley was intentional and purposeful in securing a favorable acquaintance for their daughters. However, the irony lies in the fact that Mr. Bennet's visit was not driven by the intention of establishing a connection with Mr. Bingley for marriage prospects, but rather as a response to a different situation.

3. Mrs. Bennet's excitement and appreciation towards Mr. Bennet's supposed initiative reveal her eagerness and preoccupation with finding suitable matches for her daughters. This highlights the theme of societal expectations and the pressure on parents, particularly mothers, to secure advantageous marriages for their children during that era.

Therefore, in the excerpt provided, Mrs. Bennet falsely interprets Mr. Bennet's actions as aligning with the goal of advancing their daughters' marriage prospects, illustrating the satirical portrayal of societal norms and behaviors in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

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