Final answer:
True (A).The opening line of 'Pride and Prejudice' is ironic as it suggests that every wealthy single man must be seeking a wife, which may not be his personal desire but reflects societal expectations of the time, particularly on marriage as a means for women's social advancement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The opening line of Pride and Prejudice is "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." This line is indeed ironic because it suggests that a wealthy single man is always seeking a wife, which may not necessarily be true according to the individual's personal desires. However, it reflects the social expectations of the era in which the novel was written, where financial security and social status were commonly achieved through marriage. Moreover, the line satirizes the societal norms and highlights the eagerness of families and women to secure such a man for marriage, regardless of his actual intentions or wishes.
In the context of the novel, characters like Mrs. Bennet embody this societal pressure as she is primarily focused on securing advantageous marriages for her daughters, hence reflecting the limited avenues for women's social advancement during Jane Austen's time.