Question

Read this paragraph from a novel: The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister. But her death, which happened ten years before his own, produced a great alteration in his home; for to supply her loss, he invited and received into his house the family of his nephew Mr. Henry Dashwood, the legal inheritor of the Norland estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman's days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. (from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens) Which part of the story is this paragraph most likely to have been taken from?

Answer 1

It was most likely taken from the beginning.

Answer 2

I believe it was taken from the beginning of the story because dickens is describing the character as if the reader has not heard of him before. A common way to begin a story is to describe the Setting and character, this was demonstrated in the above excerpt.