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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. When do Elinor and Edward get married?

2. Who does Elinor receive a letter from?

3. Who does the Dashwood's servant say she saw in town?

4. Who is the letter to Marianne from?

5. Who does Mrs. Dashwood say is in London?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Brandon an honorable man?

2. In what ways are Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood alike?

3. How much does Marianne's mental state contribute to her illness?

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

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

6. How does Austen present the character of John Dashwood?

7. Does Elinor make the right decision in telling her about Willoughby?

8. What does Elinor's unhappy reaction show about her logical character?

9. Is Elinor and Edward's marriage a victory of true love over societal expectations?

10. What did you think are the differences between Willoughby's story and Brandon's earlier tale?

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

Why do think social events are so important to the upper classes in eighteenth century Britain? Do you think events are purely informal? Why do you think Edward and Elinor react against such a life?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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