Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate love, societal expectations, and economic challenges in eighteenth-century England. The novel examines the balance between reason and emotion, the complexities of marriage, class dynamics, and the constraints faced by women. Austen's critique of the gentry and her portrayal of the sisters' quest for personal integrity offer timeless insights.
Show More
Elinor often subordinates her own feelings to duty and decorum
Marianne's Disregard for Convention
Marianne's disregard for strict social codes underscores the tension between personal authenticity and societal expectations
Through their experiences, both Elinor and Marianne evolve, illustrating Austen's belief in the necessity of balancing sense and sensibility in life
The novel portrays characters who favor advantageous matches over romantic connections, highlighting the mercenary nature of many marriages of the time
Elinor and Marianne ultimately find contentment in unions that honor their values, advocating for marriages founded on mutual esteem and affection
Through the characters' experiences, Austen critiques the superficiality and duplicity that often pervade the interactions of the English upper class
As part of the landed gentry yet financially insecure, the Dashwood sisters must navigate within a society where rank and wealth heavily influence one's opportunities and relationships
Austen portrays the sisters' experiences with social engagements and the judgment they face, highlighting the tension between personal authenticity and societal expectations
Through the characters' interactions, Austen exposes the deceptive practices that individuals may resort to in their quest for social and economic advancement
In a society where women's prospects are largely determined by their male relatives, marriage is often one of the few means to secure their future
Elinor and Marianne assert their agency by remaining true to their principles and making choices that prioritize emotional integrity over social convention, offering insight into the limited autonomy of women in a patriarchal context
Characters like Mrs. Ferrars and Fanny Dashwood navigate and manipulate within their prescribed roles to maintain influence, highlighting the limited options for women in society
00
Original form of 'Sense and Sensibility'
Initially drafted as 'Elinor and Marianne', an epistolary novel.
01
Main characters of 'Sense and Sensibility'
Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, central to narrative.
02
Social critique in 'Sense and Sensibility'
Examines landed gentry's mores, class hierarchy, marriage economics.
