Use the passage to answer the question.

Question

How does Elizabeth Bennett challenge the cultural norms of Regency England?
(1 point)

In this excerpt from Chapter 19, Mr. Collins—a clergyman who will one day inherit the home of his cousin Elizabeth Bennett—makes Elizabeth an offer of marriage.

The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further, and he continued:

“My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford—between our pools at quadrille,

1. by speaking about his inheritance of the family estate
2. by refusing marriage initially but intending to accept the proposal when offered a second time
3. by rejecting marriage to an eligible man who will inherit her family’s estate
4. by interrupting a clergyman when he is speaking in a formal setting

Answer 1

Elizabeth Bennett challenges the cultural norms of Regency England primarily through her refusal of Mr. Collins' marriage proposal, which is significant given that he is an eligible man with the potential to inherit her family’s estate. Her rejection of the marriage indicates her defiance against the societal expectation for women to marry for security and status, rather than for love or personal choice. Therefore, the best answer is:

3. by rejecting marriage to an eligible man who will inherit her family’s estate.