Act I
- Introduction of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their family.
- The Dashwoods lose their home, Norland Park, to Elinor’s half-brother, John.
- Elinor and Marianne move with their mother to Barton Cottage, where they meet Colonel Brandon, a wealthy and kind bachelor.
- Marianne falls in love with Willoughby, a dashing young man.
- Elinor develops feelings for Edward Ferrars, the brother of her brother-in-law, John.
Act II
- Willoughby suddenly leaves Barton Cottage without explaining why.
- Marianne is heartbroken and falls ill.
- Elinor learns that Edward is secretly engaged to Lucy Steele, a distant relative of the Middletons.
- Elinor and Marianne travel to London with Mrs. Jennings.
- Marianne sees Willoughby again, but he rejects her and reveals that he is engaged to another woman.
- Marianne becomes seriously ill and is nearly dies.
- Colonel Brandon saves Marianne’s life and confesses his love for her.
Act III
- Marianne recovers from her illness and begins to see Colonel Brandon in a new light.
- Elinor learns that Edward is no longer engaged to Lucy Steele.
- Edward proposes to Elinor, and she accepts.
- Marianne and Colonel Brandon are married.
Resolution
In the end, Elinor and Marianne both find happiness and fulfillment. Elinor learns to balance her sense and sensibility, while Marianne learns to control her emotions and appreciate the value of true love.
Themes
Some of the key themes of Sense and Sensibility include:
- The importance of balance and moderation.
- The need to be careful when choosing a partner in marriage.
- The importance of second chances.
- The power of love to overcome adversity.
Sense and Sensibility is a classic love story that explores the themes of love, marriage, and social class in Regency England. It is a timeless tale that continues to resonate with readers today.tunesharemore_vert
Characters
Sense and Sensibility is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1811. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they come of age and navigate the social and romantic challenges of early 19th-century England.
Elinor Dashwood is the eldest Dashwood sister. She is a sensible and reserved young woman who values reason and self-control. Elinor is initially attracted to Edward Ferrars, a kind and intelligent young man. However, their relationship is threatened by the interference of Edward’s family and friends.
Marianne Dashwood is the second Dashwood sister. She is a romantic and passionate young woman who follows her heart. Marianne is initially attracted to John Willoughby, a handsome and charming young man. However, Willoughby is not the man he seems, and Marianne’s heart is broken when she learns the truth.
Edward Ferrars is Elinor’s love interest. He is a kind, intelligent, and honorable young man. Edward is initially drawn to Elinor’s intelligence and self-control. However, his relationship with Elinor is threatened by the interference of his family and friends.
Colonel Brandon is a friend of the Dashwood sisters. He is a kind and compassionate man who is deeply in love with Marianne. Colonel Brandon is initially hesitant to express his love for Marianne, but he eventually overcomes his fears and confesses his feelings.
John Willoughby is Marianne’s love interest. He is a handsome and charming young man, but he is also selfish and manipulative. Willoughby initially leads Marianne to believe that he loves her, but he eventually abandons her in order to pursue a more wealthy and socially acceptable match.
Mrs. Jennings is a distant relative of the Dashwood sisters. She is a talkative and eccentric woman who loves to meddle in the lives of others. Mrs. Jennings is initially fond of the Dashwood sisters, but she eventually becomes a source of frustration and embarrassment for them.
These are just a few of the main characters in Sense and Sensibility. Austen’s novel is full of memorable and well-developed characters, each of whom plays an important role in the story.