Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen – Complete Study Material
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen – Complete Study Material
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1811
Genre: Novel of manners / Romantic fiction
Major Characters: Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, John Willoughby, Mrs. Dashwood, Lucy Steele
Major Themes: Sense and sensibility, love and marriage, money and social class, women and society, self-control, appearance and reality
Introduction
Sense and Sensibility is the first published novel of Jane Austen. It was published anonymously in 1811. The novel tells the story of the Dashwood family, particularly two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.
The two sisters represent contrasting qualities. Elinor is practical, calm and self-controlled, while Marianne is emotional, passionate and romantic. Through their experiences in love and society, Austen examines the importance of balancing reason and emotion.
The novel is both a love story and a social criticism. Austen humorously presents the manners, values and marriage customs of the English middle and upper classes of her time.
About Jane Austen
Jane Austen (1775–1817) is one of the most important English novelists. Her novels are famous for their intelligent female characters, realistic social settings, irony, wit and examination of marriage and class.
Her major novels include:
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Austen generally focuses on ordinary social life rather than extraordinary adventures. Marriage, family, money, reputation and social position are central concerns in her fiction.
Background of the Novel
The story begins after the death of Mr. Dashwood. According to his father's wishes, his estate passes to him. However, after Mr. Dashwood dies, the property goes to his son from his first marriage, John Dashwood.
Mr. Dashwood had wanted John to help his stepmother and half-sisters financially. However, John's wife, Fanny Dashwood, persuades him not to give them much assistance.
As a result, Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters—Elinor, Marianne and Margaret—must leave their home and begin a new life.
This situation introduces one of Austen's major concerns: the economic dependence of women on marriage and family property.
Detailed Summary
1. The Death of Mr. Dashwood
Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife, Mrs. Dashwood, and three daughters:
Elinor
Marianne
Margaret
His son John Dashwood inherits the family estate.
John initially intends to give his stepmother and sisters financial assistance. However, his wife Fanny convinces him that he should not give them money.
Fanny eventually moves into the Dashwood family home.
2. Fanny and Edward Ferrars
Fanny's brother, Edward Ferrars, visits the Dashwoods.
Elinor becomes attracted to Edward because of his kindness and quiet nature. Edward also develops feelings for Elinor.
However, Fanny notices their growing attachment and strongly objects to the possibility of Edward marrying Elinor.
Elinor does not openly express her feelings. She controls her emotions and behaves with dignity.
3. The Dashwoods Move to Barton Cottage
Mrs. Dashwood decides that the family should leave their former home.
They move to Barton Cottage, which belongs to Sir John Middleton.
There they meet several new people, including:
Sir John Middleton
Lady Middleton
Mrs. Jennings
Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon becomes attracted to Marianne.
4. Marianne and Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon is intelligent, mature and respectable.
He develops a deep affection for Marianne. However, Marianne does not initially appreciate him.
She considers Colonel Brandon too old and serious for her romantic ideals.
Marianne prefers a passionate and exciting form of love.
This reveals the difference between the sisters.
Elinor: controlled and practical
Marianne: emotional and romantic
5. Marianne Meets John Willoughby
Marianne meets John Willoughby after an accident.
Willoughby appears romantic, attractive and sensitive. Marianne quickly becomes attracted to him.
They share similar interests in poetry, music and literature.
Marianne behaves openly and shows her affection for Willoughby without much concern about social expectations.
Elinor becomes worried because she believes Marianne should be more cautious.
6. Willoughby's Departure
Willoughby suddenly announces that he must leave for London.
Marianne is heartbroken.
She cannot understand why he leaves so suddenly.
Elinor tries to comfort her, but Marianne openly expresses her sadness.
Meanwhile, Edward Ferrars also behaves strangely toward Elinor, creating uncertainty about their relationship.
7. Elinor and Lucy Steele
Elinor later learns a painful secret.
A young woman named Lucy Steele tells Elinor that she has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars for several years.
Elinor is shocked because she realizes that Edward cannot marry her.
Yet she does not reveal her own feelings.
Instead, she listens patiently to Lucy and maintains her self-control.
This is one of the clearest demonstrations of Elinor's sense.
8. The Journey to London
Elinor and Marianne travel to London.
Marianne hopes to meet Willoughby.
She writes to him, but he does not respond warmly.
At a social gathering, Marianne sees Willoughby with another woman.
She later receives a letter from him returning her previous letters and gifts.
He informs her that he is engaged to Miss Grey, a wealthy woman.
Marianne is devastated.
9. Marianne's Emotional Crisis
Marianne becomes deeply depressed after Willoughby's rejection.
She believes that her life has lost its meaning.
Colonel Brandon remains concerned about her.
Later, Colonel Brandon tells Elinor about his past relationship with Eliza.
Eliza was a woman he loved. She was separated from him and eventually suffered greatly because of Willoughby.
This reveals Willoughby's irresponsible and selfish character.
10. Willoughby's True Character
Elinor learns that Willoughby had behaved badly toward Colonel Brandon's former love, Eliza.
Willoughby had seduced Eliza and abandoned her.
His actions show that his romantic appearance does not match his real character.
Austen therefore develops the theme of appearance versus reality.
Willoughby appears emotional and romantic, but he is actually selfish and concerned with money and social position.
11. Edward's Secret
Edward's mother discovers his engagement to Lucy Steele.
She becomes angry and threatens to disinherit him.
Edward refuses to abandon Lucy because he has given her his promise.
He loses his mother's financial support.
This demonstrates Edward's moral integrity, although his earlier secrecy has caused pain to Elinor.
12. Marianne Becomes Ill
Marianne's emotional suffering affects her health.
During the family's stay at Cleveland, she becomes seriously ill.
Elinor cares for her.
Colonel Brandon also shows great concern.
Marianne eventually recovers physically and begins to reconsider her earlier attitudes.
Her illness becomes an important turning point in her character development.
13. Willoughby's Confession
Willoughby later explains his actions to Elinor.
He admits that he truly cared for Marianne but chose to marry Miss Grey because of her wealth.
He regrets losing Marianne.
However, his explanation does not completely excuse his behaviour.
Through Willoughby, Austen shows how money and social status influence marriage choices.
14. Edward and Elinor
Edward eventually becomes free from his engagement to Lucy.
Elinor believes that Edward is still engaged to Lucy.
However, she later learns that Lucy has married Edward's brother, Robert Ferrars.
Edward is therefore free to marry Elinor.
Edward proposes to Elinor, and she accepts.
Their relationship represents a union based on genuine affection, moral character and mutual respect.
15. Marianne and Colonel Brandon
Marianne also changes.
She realizes that her earlier romantic ideas were immature.
She begins to appreciate Colonel Brandon's kindness, loyalty and emotional strength.
Eventually Marianne marries Colonel Brandon.
Thus, both sisters find happiness.
The novel ends by showing that reason and emotion can exist together.
Major Characters
Elinor Dashwood
Elinor is the eldest Dashwood daughter.
She represents sense.
She is:
Intelligent
Practical
Responsible
Self-controlled
Compassionate
Mature
Elinor experiences emotional pain but rarely allows it to control her actions.
Her love for Edward is deep, but she does not openly dramatize her feelings.
Elinor as the embodiment of Sense
Elinor demonstrates that emotional maturity requires self-control. However, Austen does not portray her as emotionless.
She feels deeply but manages her emotions responsibly.
Marianne Dashwood
Marianne is Elinor's younger sister.
She represents sensibility.
She is:
Passionate
Romantic
Emotional
Imaginative
Sensitive
Impulsive
She believes that love should be passionate and completely expressed.
Her relationship with Willoughby teaches her an important lesson about human nature.
Marianne's Development
At the beginning of the novel, Marianne judges people according to her romantic ideals.
By the end, she becomes more mature and understands the value of kindness, loyalty and responsibility.
Edward Ferrars
Edward is Elinor's love interest.
He is:
Gentle
Honest
Reserved
Responsible
Morally principled
Edward's secret engagement to Lucy creates complications.
However, his willingness to keep his promise shows his sense of honour.
Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon is a mature and respectable man.
He loves Marianne sincerely.
Unlike Willoughby, he does not try to impress Marianne through romantic displays.
He represents:
Loyalty
Responsibility
Patience
Maturity
Genuine love
He ultimately becomes Marianne's husband.
John Willoughby
Willoughby is attractive and charming.
Initially, he appears to be the perfect romantic hero.
However, his actions reveal that he is selfish and motivated by financial considerations.
He chooses a wealthy woman instead of Marianne.
Importance of Willoughby
Willoughby demonstrates the difference between:
Romantic appearance and moral reality.
Lucy Steele
Lucy is clever, ambitious and socially calculating.
She has secretly been engaged to Edward.
She understands how to manipulate social situations to achieve her goals.
Her character shows the importance of marriage as a means of achieving social and economic security.
Mrs. Dashwood
Mrs. Dashwood is affectionate and emotional.
She tends to support Marianne's romantic outlook.
However, she is less practical than Elinor.
Major Themes
1. Sense and Sensibility
This is the central theme of the novel.
Sense means:
Reason
Self-control
Practical judgment
Emotional discipline
Sensibility means:
Strong emotion
Passion
Romantic feeling
Sensitivity
Elinor represents sense, while Marianne represents sensibility.
Austen ultimately suggests that neither extreme is ideal.
A happy life requires a balance between reason and emotion.
2. Love and Marriage
Marriage is one of the most important subjects in Austen's novels.
The novel presents different kinds of relationships:
Elinor and Edward – based on mutual respect
Marianne and Willoughby – based largely on romantic attraction
Marianne and Colonel Brandon – based on mature affection
Lucy and Edward – based initially on commitment and social circumstances
Austen suggests that successful marriage requires more than romantic attraction.
3. Money and Social Class
Money strongly influences the lives of the characters.
Women in Austen's society often had limited economic independence.
Marriage could determine a woman's social and financial security.
Willoughby's decision to marry Miss Grey demonstrates the power of wealth in marriage.
4. Women and Society
The novel presents women living within a society where property and economic power are largely controlled by men.
The Dashwood women lose their home because of inheritance arrangements.
Their financial circumstances affect their marriage prospects and social position.
Austen indirectly criticizes this social system.
5. Appearance and Reality
Many characters are not what they initially appear to be.
Willoughby appears romantic but is selfish.
Colonel Brandon initially appears serious and unromantic but proves to be deeply caring.
Lucy appears modest but is highly calculating.
Austen teaches readers not to judge people merely by appearances.
6. Self-Control
Elinor is the strongest example of self-control.
She suffers because of Edward's relationship with Lucy, but she does not publicly complain.
Marianne initially lacks such control.
Her experiences eventually teach her emotional maturity.
7. Family
Family relationships influence the lives of the characters.
The novel shows both supportive and selfish family relationships.
John Dashwood's treatment of his half-sisters demonstrates selfishness, while Elinor's care for Marianne demonstrates genuine family love.
Title Significance
The title Sense and Sensibility refers mainly to the contrasting personalities of Elinor and Marianne.
Elinor → Sense
She represents reason, restraint and practical judgment.
Marianne → Sensibility
She represents emotion, passion and romantic idealism.
The title also reflects the novel's larger message: human beings need both reason and emotion.
Important Symbols and Motifs
The Cottage
Barton Cottage represents the Dashwoods' new life and changed social circumstances.
Music and Poetry
Music and poetry reflect Marianne's emotional and romantic personality.
Letters
Letters are important means of communication in the novel. They also reveal secrets, misunderstandings and emotional conflicts.
Illness
Marianne's illness symbolizes the dangers of uncontrolled emotional suffering.
Jane Austen's Use of Irony
Irony is one of Austen's most important literary techniques.
She often presents characters who believe they are intelligent or respectable but whose behaviour proves otherwise.
Through irony, Austen criticizes:
Social hypocrisy
Greed
Marriage for money
Excessive romanticism
Social pretension
Her humour makes the social criticism more effective.
Sense vs Sensibility
| Sense | Sensibility |
|---|---|
| Reason | Emotion |
| Self-control | Passion |
| Practicality | Romantic idealism |
| Elinor | Marianne |
| Patience | Impulsiveness |
| Emotional restraint | Emotional expression |
However, Austen does not simply say that sense is good and sensibility is bad.
Instead, the novel shows that both are necessary for a balanced life.
Important Questions and Answers
1. Who wrote Sense and Sensibility?
Sense and Sensibility was written by Jane Austen and published in 1811.
2. Who are the two main sisters?
The two main sisters are Elinor Dashwood and Marianne Dashwood.
3. Who represents Sense?
Elinor Dashwood represents sense.
4. Who represents Sensibility?
Marianne Dashwood represents sensibility.
5. Who is Elinor's love interest?
Edward Ferrars is Elinor's love interest.
6. Who is Marianne's first love?
John Willoughby is Marianne's first love.
7. Whom does Marianne eventually marry?
Marianne eventually marries Colonel Brandon.
8. Whom does Elinor marry?
Elinor marries Edward Ferrars.
9. Who is Lucy Steele?
Lucy Steele is secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars.
10. What is the central conflict of the novel?
The central conflict concerns the relationship between reason and emotion, represented by Elinor and Marianne.
Essay Questions for Examinations
Discuss Sense and Sensibility as a novel of manners.
Explain the significance of the title Sense and Sensibility.
Compare and contrast Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.
Discuss the theme of love and marriage in the novel.
Examine the role of money and social class.
Discuss Jane Austen's treatment of women and society.
Analyze the character of Colonel Brandon.
Discuss John Willoughby as a romantic but morally flawed character.
Examine the theme of appearance versus reality.
Discuss Jane Austen's use of irony and humour.
How does Marianne develop as a character?
Explain the importance of self-control in the novel.
Short Notes
Elinor Dashwood
The practical and emotionally controlled heroine who represents sense.
Marianne Dashwood
The passionate and romantic heroine who represents sensibility.
Edward Ferrars
A kind and morally responsible young man who loves Elinor.
Colonel Brandon
A mature and loyal man who eventually marries Marianne.
John Willoughby
A charming but selfish man whose actions expose the dangers of judging people by appearance.
Lucy Steele
A socially ambitious woman who secretly becomes engaged to Edward.
MCQs
1. Who wrote Sense and Sensibility?
A. Charlotte Brontë
B. Jane Austen
C. George Eliot
D. Virginia Woolf
Answer: B. Jane Austen
2. The novel was published in:
A. 1798
B. 1805
C. 1811
D. 1818
Answer: C. 1811
3. Elinor Dashwood represents:
A. Sensibility
B. Sense
C. Pride
D. Ambition
Answer: B. Sense
4. Marianne initially falls in love with:
A. Edward Ferrars
B. Colonel Brandon
C. John Willoughby
D. John Dashwood
Answer: C. John Willoughby
5. Marianne eventually marries:
A. Edward Ferrars
B. Colonel Brandon
C. John Willoughby
D. Robert Ferrars
Answer: B. Colonel Brandon
6. Elinor marries:
A. Edward Ferrars
B. Colonel Brandon
C. Willoughby
D. John Dashwood
Answer: A. Edward Ferrars
7. Lucy Steele is secretly engaged to:
A. Colonel Brandon
B. John Dashwood
C. Edward Ferrars
D. Willoughby
Answer: C. Edward Ferrars
8. The novel mainly explores the contrast between:
A. Wealth and poverty
B. Sense and sensibility
C. Good and evil
D. City and country
Answer: B. Sense and sensibility
Critical Appreciation
Sense and Sensibility is an important example of the novel of manners. Jane Austen uses domestic life, conversations, relationships and social situations to explore larger questions about society.
The novel is particularly significant because Austen does not simply glorify romantic love. She asks readers to consider whether love can survive without financial security, social responsibility and moral character.
Elinor's self-control and Marianne's emotional development form the central movement of the novel.
By the end, both sisters have changed. Elinor learns that she need not suppress every emotion, while Marianne learns that emotion must be guided by reason.
Thus, Austen's message is not simply "choose sense over sensibility." Rather, she advocates a mature balance between the two.
Conclusion
Sense and Sensibility is much more than a romantic novel. It is a study of love, marriage, money, family, social class and human behaviour.
Through Elinor and Marianne, Jane Austen presents two different approaches to life. Elinor teaches the value of reason and self-control, while Marianne demonstrates the beauty and danger of strong emotion.
The novel ultimately suggests that true happiness comes when reason and emotion work together.
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