Understanding the Meaning of 'Fastidious' in the Passage

The question asks for the most appropriate meaning of the word ‘fastidious’ as used in the provided passage. To answer this, we need to carefully read the context in which this word appears and consider how it describes the character, Darcy.

The passage describes Darcy by stating, "He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting." It also contrasts his reaction to the Meryton assembly with Bingley's. While Bingley found everyone pleasant and kind, Darcy "had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion... Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much."

The description of Darcy's reaction to the assembly provides crucial context for ‘fastidious’. His critical observations about the lack of "fashion" and his specific criticism of Miss Bennet's smile suggest a person who is highly critical, has exacting standards, and pays close attention to detail, possibly to the point of finding fault.

Analyzing the Options for 'Fastidious'

Let's examine the given options:

• Prissy: This implies being excessively proper, precise, or easily shocked. While ‘fastidious’ can sometimes overlap with excessive precision, ‘prissy’ often carries connotations of being overly fussy, especially about minor details or conventional behavior, sometimes negatively. It fits partially but might not capture the full nuance of having high standards or being detail-oriented in a broader sense.
• Queasy: This means feeling sick or nauseous. This meaning is completely unrelated to how ‘fastidious’ is used to describe someone’s character or disposition in a social context.
• Undemanding: This means easy to please or not requiring much effort. This is the opposite of someone who is critical or has high standards, which is suggested by Darcy's reaction to the assembly. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
• Concerned about accuracy and detail: This means paying close attention to particulars and striving for precision or meeting high standards. This definition strongly aligns with Darcy's observations about the Meryton assembly, where he focuses on the lack of "fashion" and criticizes Miss Bennet's smile – specific details that others might overlook or find acceptable. Having high standards and being critical is often rooted in a concern for specific details or adherence to certain standards (accuracy in meeting those standards).

Conclusion on 'Fastidious' Meaning

Considering the context of Darcy's character and his reactions described in the passage, the option that best fits the meaning of ‘fastidious’ is being concerned about accuracy and detail, which translates into having very high standards and being difficult to please.

Therefore, the most appropriate meaning of ‘fastidious’ in this context is 'Concerned about accuracy and detail'.

Revision Table: Vocabulary Analysis

Additional Information: Character Contrast

The passage effectively uses contrast to highlight the personalities of Bingley and Darcy. Bingley is described positively with words like ‘easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper’. He is ‘sure of being liked wherever he appeared’ and found the Meryton assembly full of ‘pleasanter people or prettier girls’ where ‘everybody had been most kind and attentive to him’.

In stark contrast, Darcy is ‘haughty, reserved, and fastidious’, with ‘manners, though well bred, were not inviting’. He was ‘continually giving offence’ and saw the same assembly as having ‘little beauty and no fashion’ and ‘none of whom he had felt the smallest interest’. This contrast reinforces the meaning of Darcy’s traits, including his fastidiousness, which makes him critical and hard to please compared to the amiable Bingley.