Question

Which line from the poem "the dean's provocation. . ." would best help the reader infer the characters' social class? a. the doctor in a clean starch'd band, / his golden snuff box in his hand, b. none strive to know their proper merit, / but strain for wisdom, beauty, spirit. c. with a low bow approach'd the dame, / who smiling heard him preach his flame. d. i'll so describe your dressing-room / the very irish shall not come;?

Answer 1

a. the doctor in a clean starch'd band, / his golden snuff box in his hand,

Step-by-step explanation:

This is the line that would best help the reader infer the character's social class. In this line, we learn that the person we are talking about is a doctor. This already suggests that the person is most likely relatively wealthy. Moreover, we learn that the character is wearing a "clean starch'd band" and carrying a "golden snuff box." Both of these details suggest that the person is careful about his appearance and wealthy enough to possess these objects.