Question

What impact does beginning the passage with a detailed description of Harriet have on the development of the story

A)It reveals why Mr. Martin desires to marry Harriet and why Emma is jealous of her.
B)It shows Harriet's naivete and Emma's power to persuade Harriet to marry Mr. Martin.
C)It reveals Emma's relentless fascination with and plans for Harriet to marry a man equal to her station.
D)It shows Emma's disdain and contempt for men.

Answer 1

C.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Chapter 3, of the novel 'Emma' a novel by Jane Austen, Harriet Smith is described as a young girl of seventeen years and 'natural daughter of somebody', which reveals that Miss Smith's parentage is unknown. She is a beautiful young woman with blue eyes, short, plump and fair young lady.

When Emma meets Harriet Smith at the party, she is persuaded to build friendship with her and look for a suitable match for her, as Emma perceives her to be a good match-maker. Emma plans to make Harriet marry someone from a high social class, Mr. Elton, instead of Robert Martin, a farmer.

Thus from the given options the correct one is C.