Elinor and Marianne experience obstacles in their lives after encountering societal pressures. After Henry Dashwood dies, he leaves the Norland inheritance to the eldest son in the family, meaning that Elinor and Marianne can only improve their income by marrying wealthier men. This event exposes the girls to the socio-economic system of their world, and at the young ages of seventeen and nineteen, the daughters begin to think about marriage and money. Though Elinor and Edward Ferrars regard each other with affection at Norland, Elinor realizes immediately that their marriage could be prevented by his avaricious family. By declaring that Edward’s family will disapprove of him if he does not marry a woman with a great fortune, Elinor suggests
