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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. Which of Mrs.Dashwood's suggestions upset Willoughby?

2. Why does Mrs. Dashwood like Edward?

3. Who do the Dashwoods visit at the beginning of the chapter?

4. Who does Elinor hope to find more about while in London?

5. How much money does Fanny convince John to give his sisters and stepmother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Outline what you think are Elinor's main characteristics.

2. Do you think Mrs. Dashwood's love of her daughter holds them back?

3. Why is the fact the sisters are going to London so important?

4. Why does Elinor dislike Willoughby so much?

5. Why do you think Edward never approaches the subject of why he is so upset?

6. Is Marianne in love with Willoughby?

7. What comparisons does Austen draw from the Dashwood's situation at Norland with John and their new situation in Barton with Sir John?

8. In what ways does Austen present Margaret as immature and a thorn in the flesh of the more practical Elinor?

9. Do you think John is a naturally selfish person, or has Fanny turned him against his family?

10. How is Willoughby's letter symbolize his manipulative nature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting plays a big part in the novel, and the Dashwoods find themselves going from one extreme to another. With this mind, compare the following settings and its effects on the characters and the story. Do the characters behavior change during the novel? Is it significant Marianne gets ill in Cleveland rather than London?

1) London versus Cleveland

2) Norland Park versus Barton Park

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Austen use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution, and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main characters Marianne and Elinor, examine the way Austen uses him or her in the story. Does she use him or her for dramatic effect or comic aside? When does she introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Austen was an unmarried daughter of a rector. With this in mind and anything else you know about Austen's life, which character resembles Austen the most?

1) Does she use that character to give her opinions of eighteenth century society?

2) Which characters do you think Austen shows less appreciation for? How do these characters differ from the main character?

(see the answer keys)

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