Chapter 1 Flashcards
Introduction to the Dashwoods
How is Mr John Dashwood described?
“a steady, respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother”
“By his own marriage, likewise… he added to his wealth” - John is a very respectable and wealthy individual.
“He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless rather cold-hearted, and rather selfish, is to be ill-disposed: but he was in general well respected” - Austen’s tongue-in-cheek voice in heard. He is cold and selfish but respected.
How does the narrator suggest Mr John Dashwood could have been made more respectable? What does this show?
“Had he married a more amiable woman” - Mrs Fanny Dashwood is not amiable.
How is Fanny described?
“[she] was a strong caricature of himself: more narrow-minded and selfish”
How is Mr John Dashwood presented as kind of nice?
“[it] warmed his heart and made him feel capable of generosity, Yes, he would them three thousand pounds: it would be liberal and handsome”
How is Fanny shown as inconsiderate and insensitive? What does she do?
“No sooner was his father’s funeral over, than Mrs John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants.”
How can we tell that Mrs Dashwood somewhat hold grudges?
“So acutely did Mrs Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it, that on arrival of the latter, she would have quitted the house for ever”
How is Elinor shown as calm and collected when she deals with her mother’s grudge? What else does it show about Elinor?
“had not the entreaty of her eldest daughter induced her first to reflect on the propriety of going” - Elinor cares a lot about reputation and societal standards.
How is Elinor described by the narrator?
“this eldest daughter whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother” - she is empathetic, calm and collected, and advisory.
“She had an excellent heart; her disposition was affectionate”
How are all the other Dashwood women described in contrast to Elinor?
“her feelings were strong: but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn, and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught” - Elinor is sense and her mother and sister are sensible.
How is Marianne described?
“She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.” - she is sensible.
“she was everything but prudent” - she lacked judgement.
How did Elinor react to Fanny’s abrupt arrival?
“Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention”
How is Margaret briefly described?
“was a good-humoured, well-disposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne’s romance, without having much of her sense”
