The comparison between Marianne showing her talents in music and displaying her abilities, and Lady Middleton, who used to play piano before marriage, depicts the importance of “female accomplishments” during this time. Women were to attain certain achievements (drawing, playing music, etc.) to appeal to their male suitors (Hughes, "Gender Roles in the 19th Century,"British Library).

This scene shows Marianne and Margaret's critical views on the physical appearance and age of eligible bachelors. Despite the girls' opinions of Colonel Brandon as an unattractive bachelor, his age as an eligible companion was not uncommon during this period due to his stature in society. According to Shoemaker, "In general, the gap in marriage ages increased higher up the social scale. There was a five-year gap among the London middle-class in the early eighteenth century, which extended to as much as ten [years] among the wealthiest groups, such as merchants, the gentry, and the aristocracy" (Shoemaker, Gender in English Society 1650-1850, 92).

The term was used to identify distant relatives to a family (OED). In the chapter, Sir John recognizes the Dashwoods as distant relatives to his family.

"Of a person: neatly or (relatively) formally dressed; appearing neat and stylish; tidy, well turned-out."(OED).

1. Someone or something that has a set of "boundaries and restrictions" (OED).
2. "Space, room, or limits" (Johnson).

A person’s intelligence or cleverness (OED).