Question

Select the correct answer. Which Victorian attitude does this passage highlight? ALGERNON: It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. (Exchanges glances with Jack.) They seem to think I should be with him. LADY BRACKNELL: It is very strange. This Mr. Bunbury seems to suffer from curiously bad health. ALGERNON: Yes; poor Bunbury is a dreadful invalid. LADY BRACKNELL: Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids. I consider it morbid. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. Health is the primary duty of life. I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice . . . as far as any improvement in his ailment goes. I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much. ALGERNON: I'll speak to Bunbury, Aunt Augusta, if he is still conscious, and I think I can promise you he'll be all right by Saturday.
A.
disgust at the rampant state of poor health in their society
B.
nosiness about what is going on in other people's lives
C.
concern for personal convenience over others' experiences
D.
preoccupation with the need to complete tasks dutifully

Answer 1

C.concern for personal convenience over others' experiences is the Victorian attitude that the passage highlights.

Lady Bracknell is much more concerned about  her last reception in London. She wants Algernon to be present in her reception because he is to arrange the music for her. Algernon may be away because his friend, Mr Bunbury, is very ill. As Mr Bunbury lives in the country, Algernon  may not be in London for the reception. Lady Bracknell is so much interested in herself that she asks Algernon to tell Mr Bunbury to stop falling ill.