Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumPlot Structure and Sequencing

Read the following passage from Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, *Pride and Prejudice*:

> Elizabeth was sitting by herself, still reading the letters, when she was startled by a noise which made her look up. To her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In a hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her health, imputing his intrusion to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began: 'In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.'

How does the author sequence the events in this passage to build dramatic tension before Darcy's declaration?

  1. A
    By recounting the chronological sequence of Elizabeth's letters before providing a detailed summary of Darcy's social standing and family obligations.
  2. B
    By presenting Darcy's entrance as a sudden flashback that disrupts the linear chronology of the scene to reveal Elizabeth's inner thoughts.
  3. By juxtaposing Elizabeth's quiet, solitary reading with Darcy’s erratic physical movement, followed by a tense silence that heightens the dramatic anticipation.Answer
  4. D
    By structuring the interaction as an explicit authorial lecture that critiques Regency-era marriage customs through Darcy’s direct address to the reader.
  5. E
    By framing the sequence as a straightforward battle of wills that reduces their complex relationship to a simple conflict between victim and oppressor.

Answer

The author builds tension by juxtaposing Elizabeth's quiet, solitary reading with Darcy’s erratic physical movement, followed by a tense silence that heightens the dramatic anticipation.
The correct answer accurately identifies the structural progression of the passage. The scene begins with Elizabeth in a calm, stationary state. Darcy’s abrupt entrance introduces erratic physical movement (sitting, rising, pacing), which is then followed by a prolonged, tense silence. This specific sequence of physical actions and pauses delays the climax, mirroring the emotional conflict and building anticipation before Darcy's sudden proposal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the opening state of the passage.
The scene begins with Elizabeth in a state of quiet, solitary stasis, reading letters.
Establishing the initial baseline state helps identify how subsequent disruptions build narrative momentum.
2
Identify the disruption and the physical actions that follow.
Darcy enters unexpectedly, speaks hurriedly, sits down, stands up, and walks around while Elizabeth remains silent.
Tracking the physical choreography reveals how the characters' movements contrast to create awkwardness and tension.
3
Examine the temporal pacing immediately preceding the climax.
A 'silence of several minutes' occurs right before Darcy walks toward Elizabeth to speak.
Evaluating how the sequence slows down into silence explains the structural amplification of suspense before the final outburst.

Key Concept

Narrative Sequencing and Pacing in Prose Fiction
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Plot Structure and Sequencing

More questions from this topic