To evaluate the events in this excerpt effectively, the most useful context would be knowing whether it was common in this culture for mothers to choose wives for their sons. This context would help understand the dynamics of marriage and engagement in the culture described, which is a key theme in the passage as Chên's mother is actively seeking a match for her son. Understanding whether maternal influence in matchmaking was customary would clarify the motivations and implications of the characters' actions in the excerpt.
Engaged to a Nun
by Translated by Herbert A. Giles
They invited her in and there she saw a young girl of about
eighteen sitting in the parlour, and as great a beauty as she
had ever set eyes on. Now, as she was always thinking of
making a good match for her son, and curing him of his
settled melancholy, she asked who the young lady might
be; and they told her that her name was Wang,--that she
was a connection of their own, and that her father and
mother being dead, she was staying temporarily with them.
Chên's mother inquired the name of Miss Wang's betrothed,
but they said she was not engaged; and then taking her
hand, she entered into conversation, and was very much
charmed with her. Passing the night there, Chen's mother
took her cousin into her confidence, and the latter agreed
that it would be a capital match; "but,"added she, "this
young lady is somewhat ambitious, or she would hardly
have remained single so long: We must think about it."
Meanwhile, Chên's mother and Miss Wang got on so
extremely well together that they were already on the terms
of mother and daughter,and Miss Wang was invited to
accompany her home.
Which piece of context would be most useful to have in
order to evaluate the events in this excerpt?
(1 point)
knowing whether it was common in this culture
for mothers to choose wives for their sons
understanding how weddings were typically
celebrated in this culture at this time
knowing how long a typical engagement lasted in
this culture before a wedding
understanding any official or unwritten rules of
betrothal in this culture
1 answer