Study Guide to Sense and Sensibility Themes (Marianna Acosta) Appearance Vs. Reality Elinor attempts to hide her feelings, giving the appearance of a sensible person Willoughby s character his true character doesn t quite come through till he gets engages...and later apologizes The appearance of a person is quite important in this aesthetic society, how does Austen utilize satire to prove this point? Emotion vs. Reason Are both necessary for love? Which one is more necessary for survival? (with reference to Elinor s choice to fill in the male role of the house. Is sense only something that can be attained by masculinity,? (referring to Elinor s role as man of the house). Wealth Vs. Love Both are motivating factors for different characters How important are each of these when considering marriage in the novel? (With reference to Elinor, Edward, Willoughby, Marianne, Lucy Steele etc.). When addressing this theme, how are certain characters associated with sense or sensibility (Elinor and Marianne, respectively) affected by wealth and love when deciding marriage? Is love capable of existing in an economic hierarchical society? Societal expectations The role of the eldest son (and how this role sets limits upon happiness) How do both Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferras fail as the oldest son but succeed in happiness? Gender roles: societal pressure on women for finding a husband. Significance of familial ties How does Austen use satire to critique this? How does Austen show the importance of family through the relationship of Elinor and Marianne? First love Elinor is the only one who didn t fall in love twice...does sense have to do with that? (As in everybody else idealized love while Elinor had no illusion and considered what love meant and how to display one s affections in a reasonable manner. Gender roles
The expectations society puts on females to get married and how these expectations are meant by characters. Marianne wants a marriage out of her first love, Elinor considers marriage after she meets Edward. How does Austen critique society s views of marriage throughout the novel? Significance of Ending (Serah Rhea) 1. Austen depicts a person s ability to change in character by the end of the novel: a. Marianne throughout the beginning of the novel is expressed to be a very emotional character, she bases her judgement on a more emotional level. She also expresses her own idea of romance, and disregards others who don t require the aspects of their lovers as she does. However, after having her heart brutally broken by her thought to be perfect man and lover, Willoughby, she faced much struggles with the aspect of romance. By the end of the novel, Marianne marries Colonel Brandon, the man that really loved her. By ending the novel like this, Austen shows Marianne s transformation: she writes, She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions and to counteract by her conduct her most favourite maxims. 2. Austen also portrays the importance of attachment, but not between a man and woman but between the two sisters. a. Throughout the novel, we see this close bond between the two sisters, especially when Marianne is faced with a heart break, ironically, Elinor is also faced with one but keeps it to herself. This allows her to focus her attention around her sister and be there for her, especially in times of trouble. Their bond throughout the novel is continuously depicted by the keep connection and attachment between one another. Austen ends the novel by their marriages and showing that the two sisters decided to live side by side together with their husbands at Delaford. 3. Austen depicts by the end of the novel that societal classes are the absence of happiness. a. By the end of the novel there are two important marriages that occur, Marianne marries Brandon and Elinor marries Edward. Both were the first borns within the family and were rightfully to receive the inheritance from their parents, however both men seem to have lost their inheritance to someone else. Edward lost his to his younger brother Robert who married Lucy and Brandon lost his everything because of his older brother who married his first love, Eliza. Although throughout the novel, Austen depicts that back then, the first son was to receive all the inheritance, which were then supposedly to gain happiness. However, it is the second sons who ultimately find content by the end of the novel, they live happy lives despite societal and financial restraints. Perhaps her message for the
readers during that time period was to say that societal classes and financial income was not the most important aspect and that it didn t always being happiness. b. It s very satirical in a way that even though Robert was the one to receive all the inheritance, he still didn t marry the girl that he loved like Edward did, making Edward the more happier man in the end. Characters Elinor Dashwood The oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood, sometimes referred to Miss Dashwood. Elinor is composed, yet increasingly affectionate especially as the novel progresses. Elinor represents the sense throughout the novel. She shows these elements both when she falls in love with Edward Ferrars and when she comforts and supports her younger sister Marianne. Marianne Dashwood The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. Marianne is a romantic and is often considered unstable with her emotions at any given moment. Marianne represents the sensibility of the novel and her characteristics lead her to fall in love with John Willoughby who eventually leaves her due to prior expectations and social status. Marianne is stricken with grief and eventually falls in love with her admirer Colonel Brandon. Margaret Dashwood The youngest, good humored daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood, Margaret shares her sister Marianne's romantic tendencies, yet is not featured heavily in the book. John Dashwood The weak minded heir to the Norland estate. The wife of Fanny who is easily persuaded to not come to the aid of his sisters financially. Mrs. Dashwood The loving mother of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret and second wife to Henry Dashwood. She shares the romantic and emotional characteristics of Marianne. Henry Dashwood Dies and causes the main plot of the story. Fanny Dashwood The arrogant and manipulative wife of John Dashwood and the sister of Edward and Robert Ferrars. Mrs. Jennings Lady Middleton's mother who enjoys gossiping, however, she does have good intentions. The Dashwoods stay with her and she makes it her work to protect them and to try to help them marry. Colonel Brandon A retired officer and friend of Sir John Middleton who falls in love with Marianne Dashwood and acts kindly, honorably, and graciously towards the Dashwoods throughout the novel. Edward Ferrars The older brother of Fanny Dashwood and Robert Ferrars. Edward develops a close relationship with Elinor while staying at Norland to the point where she believes they are in love. Ultimately he marries her, after breaking off a secret engagement to Lucy Steele.
John Willoughby A deceitful character who Marianne falls in love with only to be left because of her social and economic status. Willoughby is a large source of grief for Marianne throughout the novel. Lucy Steele Has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars but she ultimately marries his brother Robert Ferrars. Lucy is a very sly character who is ironically portrayed as a character who confides in Elinor about her secret engagement. Critique of Author s Style Jane Austen, specifically in Sense and Sensibility, utilizes her satirical style to drive commentary and meaning throughout her novel. Austen uses satire for a variety of reasons in Sense and Sensibility including explaining gender roles, societal/class roles, and relationships. In this way Austen s work is a comedy of manners in the way that it uses satire to portray the upper Class. Frequently Used Literary devices Satire Austen Frequently uses satire to create comments on the inconsistencies and ironies of upper class british society in the late 1800s. EX: When John Dashwood acts excited to meet the steele sisters, but then does not show up to see them. Diction Austen uses diction often in dialogue to show the emotions of her characters. Ex: When Marianne is upset about willoughby moving to London. Irony Austen uses Irony to again call attention to the inconsistencies of upper class society, specifically in the frequent gossip that the characters take part in. EX: When Mrs. Jennings says she cares about Elinor and Marianne s love interests, but barely knows them and is truly only interested in gossip. Characterization Austen develops her characters throughout the novel. Her characters show clear change by the end of the novel, and she puts them through different situations which emphasize the development of their characteristics. EX: Colonel Brandon seems lonely and mysterious at the beginning, but by the conclusion of the novel he is happy and friendly. Setting Austen s characters often react differently to different settings. Austen uses several settings to change the attitude of the story. EX: When the girls attend the party, the story becomes more tense and awkward. 3rd Person Narrator Austen uses an outside voice to tell her story to allow the readers to observe the situation without being directly tied to a character s point of view. This allows the use of dramatic Irony.
Symbolism Austen uses this on occasion to make certain points about her characters and society. EX: Maryanne is often a symbol of romanticism and sensibility, while Elinor represents logic and reason. Dramatic Irony Austen makes her story interesting by having the audience know more than the characters at certain times. Ex: When the audience knows that Elinor loves Edward but Lucy does not know. Plot Summary Sense and Sensibility is the story two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who represent the character traits sense and sensibility, respectively. The story is about their struggles in life and their aspirations to get married, gather wealth, and live up to the societal expectations of 1800s upper class british society. The story begins when the sisters father, Henry Dashwood, dies and his son John inherits his estate, Norland Park. Henry Dashwood does not have money to leave to his daughter, who will no longer be able to live at the estate, so he asks John to help support the family. John wife Fanny selfishly convinces John not to provide any assistance to Marianne and Elinor, and they are left to fend for themselves. Before the Miss Dashwoods move to Barton Cottage, the new home they have found for themselves far from Norland, Elinor becomes good friends with Fanny Dashwood s brother, Edward Ferrars. Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood expect the two to become engaged, but Fanny dislikes Elinor and is so rude to her that the family rents the cottage in Barton and moves out quickly. One day while Marianne is taking a walk, she falls and sprains her ankle and is carried home by a young man named John Willoughby. Marianne and Willoughby fall in love instantly, but after only a few months, Willoughby leaves suddenly without explaining himself, breaking Marianne s heart. Edward then visits Barton cottage, and Elinor is very happy. Edward acts very flustered and uncomfortable, and Elinor is confused and concerned. Throughout the time the girls are living at Barton, Mrs. Jennings teases both the girls about their love interests, including Colonel Brandon s interest in Marianne. John Middleton invites Charlotte Palmer and her husband to Barton to visit, and soon after invites Lucy Steele and her sister. During this visit, Lucy confides in Elinor that she has been engaged to Edward for four years. Elinor is crushed, but must keep Lucy s secret. Mrs. Jennings later invites Marianne and Elinor to accompany her to London, an offer that Marianne accepts in the hopes that she will be able to find Willoughby. During their stay in London, Marianne writes to Willoughby several times but never receives an answer
Significance of Title The title presents two words that, while similar in structure, are referring to two separate entities in the work. Every person is influenced by sense and sensibility. Every character leans more toward either sense or sensibility. Elinor displays sense in her disposition while Marianne shows more sensibility. Most of the female characters in the story show greater sensibility than sense. Quotes I felt sure...blame me. (Austen 119). Said by Lucy Steele to Elinor after she tells her about the engagement to Edward Very strong example of satire through dramatic irony She had seen enough...opinion. (Austen 195) Shows an acceptance of Edward s engagement and comprehension of what ideas in society could be changed. Austen argues that a parent can so affect a child s life, that they can drive people away. Pride and prejudice and the effect of those in the lives of many....nothing in the way of pleasure can be given up by the young men of this age (Austen 158) The lack of good understanding in Austen s view of men sometimes. Shows the way men were viewed at this time. Though nothing could be more...easily given. (Austen 201) Comedy of manners She does not quite comprehend the word, but she still uses it. (Societal norms, lack of intelligence) Gender roles and expectations That is what I like fatigue (Austen 38) Satire to highlight the unrealistic expectations of women in that century Search for Prince Charming Elinor distressed Marianne. (Austen 138) Shows similarity between sense and sensibility by hiding secrets, but due to different reasons Her own situation with him (Austen 146) Both go through a significant betrayal however sense and sensibility react differently My brother she should fall? (Austen 168) Warning against the folly of a loveless marriage (quite common at this point considering most marriages were arranged)
Bibliography Austen, Jane, and Laura Engel. Sense and Sensibility. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004. Print. SparkNotes Editors. SparkNote on Sense and Sensibility. SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 17 Apr. 2016. "Sparknotes Character Summary." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.