Question

(from sense and sensibility by jane austen)
which is the major contrast made between elinor and marianne?

1. elinor is uncaring and unemotional, whereas marianne is warm hearted and kind.
2. elinor is hotheaded and impetuous, whereas marianne is calm and clearheaded.
3. elinor is strong and graceful, whereas marianne is awkward and unfit.
4. elinor is reasonable and restrained, whereas marianne is melodramatic and ardent.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: The text says Elinor has "a strength of understanding" and "knew how to govern her feelings", not that she is uncaring/unemotional. Marianne is described as having strong feelings but the option's "warm - hearted and kind" is not the main contrast. Eliminate 1.
• Analyze Option 2: The text shows Elinor is controlled ("knew how to govern her feelings") and Marianne is the one with excessive sensibility (not calm). The descriptions in this option are reversed. Eliminate 2.
• Analyze Option 3: There is no mention of Elinor being "graceful" or Marianne being "awkward and unfit" in the text. Eliminate 3.
• Analyze Option 4: Elinor is "qualified...to be the counsellor of her mother" and "knew how to govern her feelings" (reasonable and restrained). Marianne has "excess of...sensibility", "her joys could have no moderation" (melodramatic and ardent), which matches the main contrast.

Answer:

1. Elinor is reasonable and restrained, whereas Marianne is melodramatic and ardent.