Question

the following text is from edith whartons 1920 novel the age of innocence.
to proclaim it in the heat and noise of a crowded ball - room was to rob it of the fine bloom of privacy which should belong to things nearest the heart. his joy was so deep that this blurring of the surface left its essence untouched; bu he would have liked to keep the surface pure too. it was something of a satisfaction to find that may welland shared this feeling. her eyes fled to his beseechingly, and their look said:
emember, were doing this because its right.\
5
mark for review
which choice best states the main purpose of the passage?
a to capture the couples unease with a public announcement of their private engagement, while conveying their acceptance that such an announcement is both proper and unavoidable.
b to emphasize the satisfaction felt by the protagonist at the fact that may shares a positive sentiment regarding the proclamation of their engagement to those around them.
c to highlight the protagonists practical focus on social duty over emotion, as he insists on a grand public announcement even though may would prefer to keep the engagement entirely secret.
d to convey the couples discomfort at having their deeply personal engagement displayed publicly, while showing that both still accept the announcement as the proper course of action.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The passage says the protagonist (and May) wanted to keep the surface pure (discomfort with public proclamation), but May's look says they do it because it's right (acceptance of propriety). However, "unavoidable" isn't supported—text doesn't say it's unavoidable, just proper. So A is incorrect.
2. Analyze Option B: The protagonist's joy is deep, but the "blurring of the surface" (public proclamation) left essence untouched—he wanted surface pure. The satisfaction is that May shares the feeling (wanting surface pure, but doing it because right), not positive sentiment about proclaiming to others. So B misinterprets the sentiment.
3. Analyze Option C: The text says May's look is "we're doing this because it's right"—no indication May wants to keep it secret. Also, protagonist wanted surface pure, not insisting on grand public announcement. So C is incorrect.
4. Analyze Option D: The passage states proclaiming in a ball - room robbed the fine bloom of privacy (discomfort with public display), and May's look says they do it because it's right (acceptance of proper course). This matches the text.

Answer:

D. To convey the couple’s discomfort at having their deeply personal engagement displayed publicly, while showing that both still accept the announcement as the proper course of action.