Reading Comprehension

source: McGraw Hill's Conquering GMAT Verbal and writing

One of the �rst indications of a distinctive American character
came in 1782 with the publication of Letters From An American
Farmer. In it, a French settler observed that Americans tended to
demonstrate a higher level of personal initiative and self-reliance than
Europeans and generally had little regard for social rank.
This viewpoint of the American character is steeped in the philo-
sophical tradition of the Enlightenment, and the typical American
quickly became typecast throughout Europe as an emancipated,
enlightened individual, taking from his surroundings the necessary
social and material resources to ensure his happiness. This idealized
portrait of the American citizen corresponded nicely with the con-
cept of a rational, self-interested individual put forth by Adam Smith
and other political economists. The American personality was the
Economic personality, most comfortable in the world of free markets,
of trade and hard work.
To the Europeans, Benjamin Franklin-or at least their mythol-
ogized conception of Franklin-best represented the American
character. Here, according to the Europeans, was both the embod-
iment of Enlightenment principles, scientist, inventor, statesman,
philosopher, and economist, and the symbol of the American spirit,
rational, enterprising, and pragmatic. Franklin was viewed with such
admiration by the Europeans that a virtual cult of personality arose
around him.

The passage suggests which of the following about the
Europeans?
A. Europeans lacked personal initiative and self-reliance.
B. Europeans admired Americans because of the American's ratio-
nal, self-interested nature.
C. The European conception of the American character might not
entirely conform to reality.
D. Europeans placed a high value on the works of Adam Smith and
other political economists.
E. To the Europeans, no individual better embodied the ideas of the
Enlightenment than Benjamin Franklin did.


If you choose a choice please explain why.

OA-C

imo C

The European conception of the American character might not
entirely conform to reality.

This idealized portrait of the American citizen corresponded nicely with the con-cept of a rational, self-interested individual put forth by Adam Smith and other political economists. The American personality was the Economic personality, most comfortable in the world of free markets,of trade and hard work.

the above line says that the Americans are not like that they usually think

Its a toughie, I had a hard time choosing between B, C, E
Rejected B because last para seems to suggest that there was more to the admiration than the Enlightenment principles (rational, self-interested nature)

Rejected E because BF was the best representation of the American character - comprising not just ideas of the
Enlightenment but also OTHER things.

C because -

"To the Europeans, Benjamin Franklin-or at least their mythologized conception of Franklin-best represented the American character."

I am completely stumped by this qn. I went for 'E'.