A Jane Austen Duology Trivia Quiz

Answer:

In the opening lines from "Pride and Prejudice," the narrator makes a satirical observation about the societal expectations surrounding wealthy single men. The statement opens with what could be considered a universally recognized truth: that when a man of substantial wealth arrives in a new community, it's assumed he must be seeking a wife. This assumption is so deeply ingrained in the minds of the local families that it becomes a fixed belief.

The narrator emphasizes that even if the newcomer's personal feelings or intentions are not known, the community automatically assigns him the role of a potential husband for one of their daughters. Essentially, the wealthy single man is seen as a desirable catch, and it's almost as if the families in the neighborhood see him as belonging to them in terms of finding a suitable match for marriage.

In the opening lines from "Sense and Sensibility", the narrator introduces the Dashwood family, who have been established residents of Sussex for a long time. They own a large estate called Norland Park, which is situated in the middle of their property. Throughout many generations, the Dashwoods have lived in a manner that earned them the respect and approval of their neighbors.

The previous owner of Norland Park was a man who never married and lived to a very old age. For many years, he had his sister as a constant companion and housekeeper. However, when she passed away ten years before his own death, his household underwent a significant change. In order to fill the void left by his sister's absence, he invited his nephew, Mr. Henry Dashwood, and his family to live with him at Norland Park. Mr. Henry Dashwood is the legal heir to the Norland estate and the person whom the previous owner intended to inherit it.

The lines introduce the implications that the inheritance will have on the familial relationships the characters will come to have with each other. Mr. Henry Dashwood later becomes disappointed with the will's specifications, as much of the money was directed toward his son from a first marriage instead of being able to provide for his current family.