Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumCharacter Motives and Perspectives

Read the following passage carefully:

The carriage had scarcely rounded the stone gateposts of Oakhaven when Clara turned her face toward the window, her features composed into a mask of polite indifference that her mother knew only too well. For three months, Clara had endured the stifling air of the drawing-room at Highcliffe, nodding at the predictable platitudes of Lady Catherine and smiling when the conversation turned, as it inevitably did, to the prospects of the local estate. To her mother, Mrs. Lennox, this quiet compliance was a triumph—a sign that Clara had finally surrendered her headstrong notions of independence in favor of a sensible alliance. Yet, had Mrs. Lennox looked closer, she would have seen the white-knuckled grip Clara maintained upon her velvet reticule, the only outward sign of the silent rebellion raging within. Clara did not hate the society she was forced to navigate; rather, she despised the ease with which its members traded their genuine convictions for social security. When Mrs. Lennox remarked on the 'admirable prudence' of Lord Sterling’s recent investments, Clara merely murmured, 'Prudence is indeed a virtue of the ledger, Mother, but a poor compass for the soul.' The remark was delivered with such soft docility that Mrs. Lennox merely smiled, completely missing the sharp irony that cut through her daughter’s compliance.

Clara’s remark in the final sentence ('Prudence is indeed...') primarily highlights a conflict between which of the following perspectives?

  1. Clara’s insistence on moral and spiritual integrity and Mrs. Lennox’s valuation of material and social securityAnswer
  2. B
    The author’s direct critique of nineteenth-century marriage conventions and the characters’ passive acceptance of them
  3. C
    A hostile confrontation between a daughter intent on defying her family and a mother’s simple desire for obedience
  4. D
    The narrator’s literal endorsement of Clara's outward obedience and Clara’s internal feelings of genuine remorse
  5. E
    The tension between Lady Catherine’s domineering presence in society and Mrs. Lennox’s quiet guidance of Clara

Answer

Clara’s insistence on moral and spiritual integrity and Mrs. Lennox’s valuation of material and social security
The correct answer is correct because Clara's final dialogue directly contrasts the ledger (representing financial/material prudence) with the soul (representing moral/spiritual integrity). This highlights the fundamental conflict between Clara's internal moral standards and Mrs. Lennox's pragmatic concern with social security and sensible alliances.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Clara's characterization and her internal state versus her external behavior in the carriage scene.
Identify that Clara maintains a 'mask of polite indifference' and a 'white-knuckled grip,' indicating that her outward submission hides a silent rebellion against societal expectations.
This establishes the gap between Clara's external presentation and her internal perspective.
2
Evaluate Mrs. Lennox's perspective as described in the narrative.
Identify that Mrs. Lennox values 'sensible alliance' and 'prudence,' viewing Clara's compliance as a triumph and aligning herself with the financial and social security of the upper class.
This defines the maternal perspective that Clara's remark is responding to.
3
Interpret Clara's final spoken remark: 'Prudence is indeed a virtue of the ledger, Mother, but a poor compass for the soul.'
Recognize the contrast Clara draws between the 'ledger' (financial/pragmatic concerns) and the 'soul' (spiritual/moral integrity). Connect this contrast to the divergence of values between Clara and her mother.
This directly matches the core value conflict described in the correct option.

Key Concept

Character Motives and Perspectives
Rate this question

Topics

Character Motives and Perspectives

More questions from this topic