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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Marianne pleased to be going to Cleveland?

2. What does Lucy Steele tell Elinor?

3. Who arrives at the cottage unexpectedly?

4. Why is Mrs. Dashwood unhappy with herself?

5. What does Marianne reproach her sister for being?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Marianne's illness change her?

2. What is the importance of the Steele's appearance in the story?

3. Why is it important that the Colonel is one of the oldest characters in the book?

4. Is Willoughby a better match for Marianne than the Colonel?

5. Is Brandon an honorable man?

6. In what ways does Marianne's illness show the difference between the characters?

7. Is Lucy a bad person?

8. Is Elinor closer to Marianne in character than first thought?

9. Why is having sense so important to Elinor?

10. Why does Austen present John Dashwood as a comic figure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lucy and Anne Steele make a striking contrast to Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Discuss this contrast.

1) What are the similarities and differences between the two pairs of sisters? Why do you think they do not get along?

2) Do the relationships between each pair of sisters work in a similar way?

3) How does Austen use the contrast to present her opinions on class and privileged upbringings?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of the eighteenth century.

1) Is it more important to have money in the eighteenth century than it is now? Pick a character and discuss what would happen if they were not born into money. Do you think some of the characters' obsessions with money are justified?

2) Why is marriage in the eighteenth century such an important institution? Is it more important for men or women? Is it wise to marry just for love? Is Jane Austen's happy ending merely a romantic notion that would rarely happen?

3) Does modern society share any values with eighteenth century society?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: In Sense and Sensibility, the female characters are stronger than the male characters and control the story. Use one of the relationships in the novel--for example, Elinor and Edward, to highlight your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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