Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
“Elegant economy!” How naturally one-fold back into the phraseology of Cranford! There economy was always “elegant”, and money-spending always “Vulgar and Ostentatoin;” a sort of sour grapeism which made up very peaceful and satisfied I shall never forget the dismay felt when certain Captain Brown came to live at Cranford, and openly spoke of his being poor – not in a whisper to an intimate friend, the doors and windows being previously closed, but in the public street, in a loud military voice, alleging his poverty as a reason for not taking a particular house. The ladies of Cranford were already moving over the invasion of their territories by a man and a gentleman. He was a half-pay captain and had obtained some situation on a neighbouring railroad, which had been vehemently petitioned against by the little town; and if in addition to his masculine gender, and his connection with the obnoxious railroad, he was so brazen as to talk of his being poor – why, then indeed, he must be sent to Coventry. Death was as true and as common as poverty; yet people never spoke about that loud on the streets. It was a word not to be mentioned to ears polite. We had tacitly agreed to ignore that any with whom we associated on terms of visiting equality could ever be prevented by poverty from doing anything they wished. If we walked to or from a party, it was because the weather was so fine, or the air so refreshing, not because sedan chairs were expensive. If we wore prints instead of summer silks, it was because we preferred a washing material; and so on, till we blinded ourselves to the vulgar fact that we were, all of us, people of very moderate means.

1. Give in thirty of your own words what we learn from this passage of Captain Brown.
Captain Brown, a new resident of Cranford, is seen as an outsider by the ladies of the town. He is a half-pay captain and has taken a job on a nearby railway, which the town had opposed. He is seen as poor and vulgar for openly speaking about his financial situation, which is a social taboo in Cranford.

2. Why did the ladies of Cranford dislike the Captain.
The ladies of Cranford dislike Captain Brown because he is a man, connected to the unpopular railway, and openly talks about his poverty, which is seen as vulgar and ostentatious in Cranford's society.

3. What reasons were given by the ladies of Cranford for “not doing anything that they wished”?
It shows their materialistic approach and acceptance of the norms of society which was considered taboo. Poverty, despite being real presence in society, was concealed and chosen to be ignore due to the fear of humiliation. Ladies gave reasons like they are doing the alternatives out of their own accord rather that they cannot afford something due to their economical constraints.

4. “Ears Polite”. How do you justify this construction?
"Ears polite" means that in Cranford's society, poverty is not a topic that is discussed in polite company.

5. What is the meaning and implication of the phrases?

• Sour-grapeism - is when one denies the value of something they cannot have.
• The invasion of their territories - occupying someplace which causes discomfort among the original inhabitants.
• Sent to Coventry - means that Captain Brown is seen as an outsider, invading the social territory of Cranford.
• Tacitly agreed - means that the society of Cranford has unspoken agreement to ignore poverty in their society.
• Elegant economy - means that Cranford's economy is seen as refined and tasteful, and spending money is seen as vulgar.