Sense and sensibility

A tale of family, inheritance, and social expectations

Jane Austen

434 pages, parution le 14/04/2023

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Résumé

"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen is a novel that explores the lives of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the challenges of love, family, and societal expectations in early 19th-century England. The story begins with the Dashwood family facing financial difficulties after the death of Mr. Dashwood, whose estate is inherited by his son from a previous marriage, John Dashwood. Despite Mr. Dashwood's dying wish for John to provide for his stepmother and half-sisters, John's wife, Fanny, persuades him to offer minimal assistance, leaving the Dashwood women in a precarious situation. The family relocates to a modest cottage in Devonshire, where they are introduced to a new social circle, including the affable Sir John Middleton and his reserved wife, Lady Middleton. The novel contrasts the personalities of the two sisters: Elinor, who embodies sense with her rationality and restraint, and Marianne, who represents sensibility with her emotional and impulsive nature. As the sisters encounter romantic entanglements, Elinor forms an attachment to Edward Ferrars, while Marianne falls for the charming but unreliable John Willoughby. Throughout the narrative, Austen examines themes of love, marriage, and the constraints placed on women by society. The sisters' experiences highlight the importance of balancing sense and sensibility in their personal lives. Ultimately, Elinor's patience and prudence are rewarded, while Marianne learns the value of moderation and self-awareness. The novel concludes with both sisters finding happiness and stability, underscoring Austen's belief in the necessity of harmony between reason and emotion.