Question

"Now, Amelia, you mustn't give way. We've all got to die some time or other. It might have been worse."

a) Who is the speaker of these lines?

b) What prompts the speaker to say these words?

c) What does he mean when he says 'It might have been worse'?

d) What does it reveal about the speaker's character?

Answer 1

a) Mr. Jordan is the speaker of these lines.

b) When Mr. Jordan sees Mrs. Slater crying, he tries to console her by saying these lines.

c) Mr. Jordan means that it was okay if grandfather passed away, because he was old and he died peacefully. It would have been worse if any of them would have died because they are still young and have children to look after.

d) Mr. Jordan seems to know how to present himself in such situations.