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Sense and Sensibility


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Though not the first novel she wrote, Sense and Sensibility was the first Jane Austen published. Though she initially called it Elinor and Marianne, Austen jettisoned both the title and the epistolary mode in which it was originally written, but kept the essential theme: the necessity of finding a workable middle ground between passion and reason. The story revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Whereas the former is a sensible, rational creature, her younger sister is wildly romantic--a characteristic that offers Austen plenty of scope for both satire and compassion. Commenting on Edward Ferrars, a potential suitor for Elinor's hand, Marianne admits that while she "loves him tenderly," she finds him disappointing as a possible lover for her sister.

Soon however, Marianne meets a man who measures up to her ideal: Mr. Willoughby, a new neighbor. So swept away by passion is Marianne that her behavior begins to border on the scandalous. Then Willoughby abandons her; meanwhile, Elinor's growing affection for Edward suffers a check when he admits he is secretly engaged to a childhood sweetheart. How each of the sisters reacts to their romantic misfortunes, and the lessons they draw before coming finally to the requisite happy ending forms the heart of the novel. Though Marianne's disregard for social conventions and willingness to consider the world well-lost for love may appeal to modern readers, it is Elinor whom Austen herself most evidently admired; a truly happy marriage, she shows us, exists only where sense and sensibility meet and mix in proper measure.

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Recent Forum Posts on Sense and Sensibility

Edward vs Willoughby

I was wondering what everyone thought about Edward versus Willoughby? I am taking a class, and everyone in that class seems to think that Edward's behavior in the book was just as bad as Willoughby's -- but instead of being condemned by Elinor, he is rewarded with her love. What do you guys think about this? Do you like Edward? Do you dislike him? Does Austen manipulate the reader into liking Edward, or do we like him because Elinor does? I know that I like him, and I certainly don't see why his actions in the story were as bad as Willoughby's. Help?

Posted By Kumo at Tue 30 Sep 2008, 8:23 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 6 Replies

Willoughby

There's a passage that I don't quite understand. When Elinor asks him about him leaving Eliza, he says I acknowledge that her situation should have been respected by me. I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose I have nothing to urge, that because she was injured, she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint. If the violence of her passions, the weakness of her understanding - I do not mean, how ever to defend myself." Was he saying that she was equally to blame because of her passion and lack of understanding?

Posted By julesb218 at Fri 26 Sep 2008, 5:39 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 0 Replies

What's the main subject?

I didn't read the novel but I plan to do that:D I read Pride and Prejudice and I liked it.I would like to know what's the major theme in this novel?

Posted By kakazinho at Thu 24 Jan 2008, 6:39 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 2 Replies

Jane and her own sister...

i wonder if marianne and elinor in some ways are like Jane and her sister were. i'd like to think of jane more like marianne. someone who loves with all they have, every emotion. while elinor like her sister who was more reservedwhen it came to love and held alot inside. marianne wears her heart on her sleeve for all to see. and for me thats what jane ws like.

Posted By Jacki217 at Tue 15 Jan 2008, 11:14 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 0 Replies

Sense and Sensibility - movie or book

Hey, I have got an assignment, where I have to compare the book and the movie (from ´95), especially on which themes are mostly illustrated -my guess is love Vs. economy... I feel kind of lost, so if anyone could say something, I would be very happy:) Thanks...

Posted By Regitze at Wed 19 Dec 2007, 5:04 AM in Sense and Sensibility || 0 Replies

What's your feeling when finishing this book?

Surprisingly, I felt extremely sad!

Posted By phoebelll25 at Thu 6 Sep 2007, 6:03 AM in Sense and Sensibility || 8 Replies

What about Margaret?

I know that Elinor represents sense and Marianne represents sensibility, but what about Margaret? Is she supposed to be a mixture of the two, is there to be any deeper meaning behind the inclusion of her character, or was she simply thrown into the story for the sake of it? What do you think? Ok, if 17 people viewed this why couldn't anyone say something????

Posted By quoththeraven98 at Mon 3 Sep 2007, 11:51 AM in Sense and Sensibility || 6 Replies

question about Lucy Steele

Hi, This is a question that's always bothered me. Here goes: Why is Lucy Steele able to marry Robert with no problems, but they weren't OK with her marrying Edward? My own thought is that they didn't approve of the secret engagement, which is obviously why they disinherited Edward. But they also weren't friendly to Lucy after that--so why could her marriage to Robert be acceptable? Help me understand this. Maybe I'm just not understanding the context or the society back then. ;) Amanda

Posted By horino79 at Wed 15 Aug 2007, 12:07 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 7 Replies

The Sense & Sensibility ending

What is it about the ending that a lot of people don't like? Personally (after seeing the movie), I didn't like it that Marianne ended up with Colonel Brandon. I thought that she was too passionate for him. For some reason unlike most of my friends, I was not mad at Willoughby; most people that I know, think he is a jerk. When I saw the movie (before I read the book) I actually pitied Willoughby. And when I read the book I think it explained things in a way that everyone got what they deserved. It did not leave me upset about Marianne's situation, although I was still sad for Willoughby. Anyways, I'd like to know what your thoughts are on this particular subject. Thanks!!

Posted By Annabel Lee at Wed 25 Jul 2007, 1:09 PM in Sense and Sensibility || 9 Replies

Review of Sense and Sensibility, dvd.

Director: Ang Lee Original novel: Jane Austen Screen Play: Emma Thompson Release Date: 13 December 1995 Emma Thompson - Elinor Dashwood Kate Winslet – Marianne Dashwood Alan Rickman - Col. Christopher Brandon Hugh Grant - Edward Ferrars I do recommend the adaptation with some reservations. The film is too dark in the first half and the decision to cut the Willoughby/Elinor scene where he attempts to explain his behavior leaves unexplainable Elinor's sense/sensibility quandary. The addition of the double marriage is Hollywood not Austen but coming at the end is not jarring. The adaptation may be viewed as interest in the work of Ang Lee, as of a visualization of Sense Sensibility but in the end it is not of the rank of Wright's (2005) Pride and Prejudice. The acting, generally is good, excellent of Thompson in the role of Elinor Dashwood. The costuming, in-house and countryside scenery is very well chosen and photographed. The lighting of the film, is problematic. While the atmospheric shots are subdued, could be characterized as gloomy, they are appropriate to the sense of loss that Austen created in the novel. The interior shots, using candlelight, are too dark, as it is sometimes difficult to read facial expressions. In the second half, Ang Lee happily uses sunshine as emphasis to the romantic resolutions. Sense and Sensibility is the most didactic of Austen novels and the screen play is reasonably faithful to the novel. Preserving the romantic view of nature, of poetry, of first love, as attributes of unchecked sensibility however by cutting the lurid Willoughby/Elinor scene, it makes incomprehensible the resolution between sense and sensibility. Perhaps not a great loss as it would have made the theme even more incomprehensible, I would definitely advise to read the book before viewing the film. It will be interesting to compare this adaptation to the John Alexander's version due in March 2007.

Posted By Newcomer at Sat 14 Apr 2007, 10:22 AM in Sense and Sensibility || 3 Replies

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