An analysis of a passage

Here is the passage:

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has long been upheld as an example of art that is perfectly executed on a narrow scale. It can be argued that Jane Austen’s famous comment comparing her writing to “a bit of ivory, two inches wide, on which I work” has been taken too seriously by many later readers who forget that Austen was also a master of irony. However, a critical appraisal of the final chapters of the novel suggest that while Austen’s scope might be wider than her claim suggests, her characters are desperately seeking to make their world ever more narrow. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy can hardly wait to retire to Pemberley, where they shut out not only the erring Lydia, but also annoying relatives and false friends. This constriction could be read as reasonable, but it must be contrasted with the obviously ridiculous injunction of Mr. Collins “to throw off your unworthy child for your affection forever.” Again, Austen’s irony is subtle here; while the ending seems to naturalize narrow and impenetrable boundaries, the earlier episodes question this move.



Questions:

1. The author employs the metaphor in the second sentence in order to

A. suggest that novels ought to be viewed not just as literary texts, but material objects

B. suggest that Austen's claims about her writing and the actions of her characters should be viewed as entirely separate

C. draw on it throughout the passage as the primary description for understanding Austen's methodology

D. introduce a discussion of Austen's use of irony in her writing

E. contrast it to other metaphors Austen later used to describe her writing that were more ironic

Answer: D



But

1. Can you explain the reasons why all of the others are incorrect and why is this correct?

2. How “a bit of ivory” is a metaphor? What does this metaphor mean?

3. How the second sentence implies the introduction of a discussion of Austen’s use of irony?

4. Can you explain the last sentence of the passage and how it is derived and its implications, i.e. how “Austen’s irony is subtle here”?