How does the first paragraph contribute to the readers understanding of the passage?

The exposition gives us context into time and place. Mary Lennox starts out in India with her parents. She is in a village, where an outbreak of cholera kills everyone except for her. She is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven. He lives in a place called Misselthwaite Manor, where there are more than 100 rooms. Mr. Craven has been in grief for 10 years since his wife died.