Question

What does Mr. Bennet mean when he says that "it gratified discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his daughter!"?

A) Mr. Bennet is praising Charlotte's intelligence.
B) Mr. Bennet is criticizing Charlotte for her decision to marry Mr. Collins.
C) Mr. Bennet is comparing Charlotte to his wife and daughter.
D) Mr. Bennet is expressing his surprise at Charlotte's wisdom.

Answer 1

Mr. Bennet is criticizing Charlotte Lucas for her decision to marry Mr. Collins, reflecting his disappointment in what he sees as a foolish choice on her part. So, the correct answer is option B) Mr. Bennet is criticizing Charlotte for her decision to marry Mr. Collins.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Mr. Bennet states that "it gratified discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his daughter," he is criticizing Charlotte for her decision to marry Mr. Collins.

This reaction shows Mr. Bennet's dismay and disapproval of Charlotte's choice, which he sees as a foolish act and one that is comparable to the silliness he perceives in his own wife and in lesser extent in his daughter.

He is neither praising Charlotte's intelligence nor expressing surprise at her wisdom but is instead comparing Charlotte unfavorably to his wife and daughter, highlighting his low opinion of the marriage.

So, the correct answer is option B) Mr. Bennet is criticizing Charlotte for her decision to marry Mr. Collins.

Answer 2

Mr. Bennet is expressing criticism towards Charlotte Lucas for her decision to marry Mr. Collins, questioning her sensible demeanor and equating her to the foolishness of his wife and greater foolery than his daughter(option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

Option B) Mr. Bennet is criticizing Charlotte for her decision to marry Mr. Collins is the correct interpretation of Mr. Bennet's statement. He uses the language comparing Charlotte Lucas to his wife and daughter, suggesting that by choosing to marry Mr. Collins, Charlotte has proved herself to be as foolish as Mrs. Bennet and even more so than his daughter. This indicates that Mr. Bennet regarded Charlotte's decision as lacking sensible judgment, aligning her with the foolishness he perceives in his wife and contrasts with his opinion of her prior to the marriage.

Hence, the answer is option B.