Final answer:
Indirect characterization is used to describe Matthew Cuthbert's uneasiness around women, showcasing his personality through actions and speech without explicit authorial description. The option (C) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of characterization used when describing Matthew Cuthbert as feeling uneasy in the company of women is indirect characterization. Indirect characterization is when the personality of a character is revealed through their actions, speech, or appearance, rather than through explicit descriptions given by the author. This contrasts with direct characterization, where the author straightforwardly describes the traits of the character.
While 'flat' and 'static' characters might not be inherently negligible, they serve to represent a particular idea or set of values with little change throughout a story. In Jane Austen's works, like Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, the use of flat characters often highlights societal norms and expectations, especially related to women's roles and the institution of marriage. Therefore, option (C) is correct.