Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
"Sense and Sensibility," a novel by Jane Austen, explores the lives and romantic entanglements of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, following the death of their father. The story begins with the inheritance of the family estate by Mr. John Dashwood, who is dissuaded from supporting his stepmother and half-sisters by his wife, Fanny. The Dashwood women move to a cottage on Sir John Middleton's estate, where they encounter various suitors and face societal pressures regarding love and marriage.
Elinor, characterized by her rationality, develops feelings for Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, Lucy Steele. In contrast, the more emotional Marianne pursues a passionate romance with John Willoughby, only to face heartbreak when he abruptly leaves her for a wealthier match. As the narrative unfolds, themes of social class, the constraints of societal expectations, and the contrast between reason and emotion are deeply examined.
Ultimately, Elinor's steadfast nature and Marianne's growth lead to their respective unions with Edward and Colonel Brandon, highlighting the novel's exploration of love, loyalty, and familial bonds. The resolution finds both sisters happily married, emphasizing the importance of personal integrity and mutual respect in relationships.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
First published: 1811
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Domestic realism
Time of plot: Early nineteenth century
Locale: England
Principal Characters
Elinor Dashwood , a young woman of senseMarianne Dashwood , Elinor's sisterJohn Dashwood , Elinor and Marianne's half brotherFanny Dashwood , John's wifeEdward Ferrars , Fanny’s brotherSir John Middleton , a Dashwood relationColonel Brandon , Sir John’s friendJohn Willoughby , a young man with whom Marianne falls in loveLucy Steele , a young woman who attracts Edward for a timeRobert Ferrars , Edward’s brother
The Story
When Mr. John Dashwood inherits his father’s estate, it is his intention to provide comfortably for his stepmother and his half sisters. His wife, Fanny, has other ideas, however, and although she is independently wealthy, she cleverly prevents her husband from helping his relatives. When Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars, begins to show an interest in Elinor, John’s half sister, Fanny is determined to prevent any alliance between them. She makes life so uncomfortable for the older Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters that the ladies accept the offer of their relative, Sir John Middleton, to occupy a cottage on his estate.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, and Marianne are happy in the cottage at Barton Park. There, they meet Colonel Brandon, Sir John’s thirty-five-year-old friend, who is immediately attracted to Marianne. She considers him too old and rejects his suit. Instead, she falls in love with John Willoughby, a young man visiting a wealthy relative on a neighboring estate.
Once, while the young people are preparing for an outing, Colonel Brandon is called away in a mysterious fashion. Elinor and Marianne are surprised later to hear that he has a daughter; at least, that is the rumor they hear. Willoughby seems determined to give Marianne a bad impression of Colonel Brandon, which displeases Elinor. Shortly after the colonel’s sudden departure, Willoughby himself leaves very suddenly and without explanation. Elinor cannot help being concerned about the manner of his departure, particularly since he did not make a definite engagement with Marianne.
A week later, Edward Ferrars appeared at the cottage for a visit. Elinor is strongly attracted to him, but Edward seems no more than mildly interested in her. After a short stay, he leaves the cottage without saying anything to give Elinor hope. Meanwhile, Sir John invites to his home Miss Lucy Steele and her sister, two young ladies whom Elinor thinks vulgar and ignorant. She is therefore stunned when Lucy tells her that she is secretly engaged to Edward, whom she met while he was a pupil of Lucy’s uncle. According to Lucy’s story, they have been engaged for four years, but Edward’s mother will not permit him to marry. Since Edward has no money of his own and no occupation, they are forced to wait for Mrs. Ferrars’s consent before they can announce their engagement. Concealing her unhappiness at this news, Elinor tells Lucy that she will help in any way she can.
A short time later, Elinor and Marianne are invited to London to visit friends. Marianne immediately writes to Willoughby to inform him that she is near. Although she writes two or three times, she gets no reply. One day, she meets him at a social event. He is with another young lady and treats Marianne courteously but coolly. The next morning, Marianne receives a letter from him telling her that he is sorry if she misunderstood his intentions and that he has long been engaged to someone else. All of her friends and relatives are furious with Willoughby. Although she is heartbroken, Marianne continues to defend him and to believe that he is blameless. She is comforted by Colonel Brandon, who is also in London.
The colonel privately tells Elinor Willoughby’s story. The colonel has a ward, a young girl some believe to be his daughter, who is in reality the daughter of his brother’s divorced wife. The colonel had to leave Barton Park so suddenly because he learned that his ward had been seduced and then abandoned by Willoughby. When Elinor tells Marianne the news, her sister receives it with such sorrow that Elinor fears for her health. Colonel Brandon continues to be kind to Marianne, and it is obvious to everyone that he loves her deeply.
The young women stay on in London. A little later, their brother, John, and his wife take a house there. When the Steele sisters also arrive in town for a visit, Edward’s mother learns at last that he and Lucy are engaged. Angrily, she settles what would have been Edward’s inheritance on her other son, Robert, leaving Edward and Lucy with no means of support. Edward plans to study for the ministry, and Elinor arranges with Colonel Brandon that he become a curate on his estate so as to enable Edward and Lucy to be married.
Before Elinor and Marianne return home, they visit Cleveland, an estate between London and Barton Park. There, Marianne becomes severely ill with a fever. Because Marianne is anxious to see her mother, Colonel Brandon goes to fetch Mrs. Dashwood. Before they return, Willoughby, hearing of Marianne’s illness, calls at the house. He admits to Elinor that he treated Marianne so shamefully because he has no money of his own and because his wealthy relative learned of the affair with Colonel Brandon’s ward; as a result, his relative cut off his allowance, and he renounced Marianne to marry a wealthy young woman. He declares that he still loves Marianne and wishes her to know his story so that she will not think too harshly of him.
Marianne recovers from her illness and returns home with her mother and Elinor. After Elinor tells her Willoughby’s story, Marianne continues to be sorrowful for him, but she no longer loves him.
After their return, Elinor learns from a servant that Mr. Ferrars and Lucy are married. She assumes that Edward has married Lucy. Soon, Edward appears at the cottage and tells the Dashwoods that the unscrupulous Lucy married his brother instead of him, since their mother disinherited Edward in favor of Robert. Edward comes to ask Elinor to marry him, and he has no trouble in gaining her consent as well as that of her mother. It remains only for him to secure a living. He goes to London to seek his mother’s forgiveness. Because Mrs. Ferrars repudiated her son Robert after his marriage to Lucy, she feels a need for affection from one of her children. After much weeping and pleading, which fails to move Edward in his determination to marry Elinor, Mrs. Ferrars gives her consent to the wedding. After their marriage, they move into the parsonage that Colonel Brandon had promised Edward some months before.
The colonel continues his quiet and gentle courtship of Marianne. At last, she recognizes his true worth, and they are married. When they move to his estate, the two sisters are near each other once more. Fanny and John are so pleased to be related to the colonel that Fanny even forgives Edward for marrying Elinor. Mrs. Dashwood is delighted at the good fortune of her children, and the families live in peace and contentment.
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