Name: Sense and Sensibility CE
ISBN: 9781840228007

J Austen

Sense and Sensibility is a delightful comedy of manners in which the sisters Elinor and Marianne represent these two qualities. Elinor's character is one of Augustan detachment, while Marianne, a fervent disciple of the Romantic Age, learns to curb her passionate nature in the interests of survival.

Sense and Sensibility CE

Angelica Garcia

To your sister I wish all imaginable happiness; to Willoughby, that he may endeavor to deserve her

Katharina Hoffmann

Jane Austen truly said: “If you mansplain things to women you’re a piece of dirt; try and be forgiving, loving, kind, generous and gentleman-like instead” and that’s why we have no choice but to stan her.

It is true that the plot of this book is overshadowed by the not-so-hidden social commentary that Jane Austen has cleverly woven in-between the lines. The recurring themes of vanity, selfishness, class difference and greed turn the book into a far more interesting piece of literature than it would have been without them, for the will-they/ won’t-they theme did get a bit tiresome.

The story of the Dashwood sisters Marianne and Elinor and their love lives seems very superficial at first glance. Marianne, the younger of the two, is excessive in showing and displaying her emotions. When she is sad, she cries for days. When she is happy, the whole world will know and nothing can dampen her spirits. But where Marianne is unguarded in her display of emotions, Elinor keeps to herself. Where Marianne is “sensibility”, Elinor is “sense”. The latter is devoted, kind and reasonable – always aware of what society expects of her. The contrast between the two sisters and their views and expectations of love could not be more different. The duality of how they approach the events happening in their life is what moves the plot forward.

Marianne’s behaviour is often fatiguing at best and Elinor’s restrain can drive you up the walls, but this is what makes the character development occurring towards the ending of the book so rewarding. As with any other Austen book, Sense and Sensibility has a great assortment of supporting characters that as always, seem to reflect society as a whole. Everything that can be wrong with society, every fault that can possibly be found within the human psyche is examined, pulled apart, frowned upon or at least commented upon and all this is done in such a witty and clever manner. Jane Austen’s observations are razor-sharp and spot-on. To quote another reviewer: “Jane Austen did not suffer fools gladly”.

While Austen’s writing style allows for a lot of insights into what the characters and especially Elinor are feeling and thinking, the book lacks direct speech and characters directly interacting with each other. This is one of the main reasons why Marianne getting married to Colonel Brandon seems to come out of nowhere. The reader isn’t granted any window into their relationship at all, it all seems to take place “off-stage” and is executed rather poorly and hastily. The two husbands-to-be (Edward and Brandon) have very little ‘on-page’ dialogue, they are always talked about instead of doing the talking themselves. The only reason why they don’t appear flat and lifeless is because of Austen’s commentary and descriptions. I, however, felt very removed from them and think it’s a pity that a character as worthless as Willoughby was granted more direct speech than either Edward or the Colonel.

The best things about this book are not to be found on its surface, but rather underneath it. Enduring Marianne’s teenage fits of emotional despair and Elinor’s distanced observations are worth it for the overall hilarious cast of characters and Austen’s on-point social commentaries.

- This was buddy-read with the awesome Isabell -

Sarah Williams

While immensely enjoyable at parts, Sense and Sensibility has always remained in third place of my favorite Austen works. Still, it’s a comfort to return to and a delight to reread in the fall, as all Austen books provide so much comfort.

Sense and Sensibility CE

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