Question

What is the primary motivation of recreational gossips?

• A. To display wit and sophistication
• B. To show loyalty to friends
• C. To gather important information
• D. To manipulate social situations

Answer 1

Answer:

A. To display wit and sophistication

• Characters like Mrs. Candour, Sir Benjamin Backbite, and Mr. Crabtree engage in gossip not out of malice or for personal gain, but because they see it as a form of entertainment and a way to showcase their intelligence and humor.

• They enjoy embellishing stories, making witty remarks, and competing to share the latest scandalous details.

• However, they are often oblivious to the harm their gossip can cause.

• A key example of their ridiculousness is when they argue over whether Sir Peter Teazle was wounded in a duel, even though the duel never happened.

• This highlights how their focus is more on the performance of gossip rather than the truth or consequences of their words.