A clever classic (Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen)

Name: Kukana

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
Date:	10/11/03 (101 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: satisfactory ending, light humour, some good characters

Disadvantages: old-fashioned language, a bit long-winded in places

Sense and Sensibility is a classic novel set in the late 18th century, comparing and contrasting two sisters. Elinor and Marianne are devoted to each other, but have completely different temperaments. Elinor is quiet, well-behaved, and thoughtful, usually keeping her feelings to herself. Marianne, on the other hand, is hot-tempered and highly emotional.

* Synopsis *

These sisters are introduced to us at the beginning of the novel, shortly after the death of their father, Mr Henry Dashwood. They are still in the home they have all been living in: Norland Park. Mr Dashwood had one son by his first marriage, and three daughters by his second. The youngest daughter, Margaret, has little part in the story; I'm not really sure why she was written into it at all. The son, John, is married to a rather materialistic lady called Fanny. On his father's death, by the inheritance laws of the time, he becomes master of Norland Park, and moves there with his family.

Now relegated to the status of visitor, the girls' mother is eager to move with her daughters to a home of her own where she can once again be mistress. However they stay for some months with John and his wife, at John's invitation, giving us a delightfully ironic glimpse into the differences between the three sisters, all of whom appear to advantage beside Fanny, despite Fanny's attempts to seem superior!

While they are there, Elinor becomes friendly with Edward, Fanny's brother. He is so unlike Fanny that it seems a little surprising that they are siblings! Marianne and their mother are determined that Elinor and Edward should get married, but Elinor insists that she has nothing greater than 'esteem' for him.

Before long they move to a cottage some distance away, and soon establish themselves in their new neighbourhood, meeting relatives and being introduced to different people. Jane Austen's skill as an author is shown
most clearly in her pen-portraits of people, each of them slightly caricatured, yet not so much so that they become unbelievable. The contrast between speech and behaviour continues the brilliant irony which is a hallmark of all her work.

Marianne soon meets the charming Mr Willoughby, and falls hopelessly in love with him, while Elinor hopes - in vain - to hear from Edward. Here we see most clearly the contrast which the title of the book aims to show: the quiet 'sense' of Elinor, who speaks only of what she is certain, and does not allow her emotions to get the better of her, compared to the volatile Marianne, whose 'sensibility' is on show to everyone around her. Naturally there is a little moralising, as was inevitable in books of this period, but for the most part it's lightly done; moreover Marianne has clearly such good qualities, and such a capacity for affection, that she is not condemned for her personality.

A sudden letter sends Willoughby away, and Marianne is distraught. He neither returns, nor gets in contact. However when the two older girls are invited to stay in London, Marianne leaps at the opportunity, knowing Willoughby to be there. On arrival she writes to him several times, to little avail: eventually she receives a horrible shock, finding him betrothed to someone else - no real surprise to us, the readers, but causing enormous pain to Marianne. Meanwhile Elinor learns that Edward, too, is promised to another lady. Once again there is a cleverly drawn contrast between the way each sister handles the news.

Further drama ensues, with Marianne falling dangerously ill during a visit to the country, and eventually they all return home. The conclusion to the book is reassuring and satisfying, with both girls finding husbands who are welcomed into the family, and who will clearly take good care of them.

* My thoughts about this book *

While the language is inevitably old
-fashioned, and some of the descriptions long-winded, there is delightful humour which sparkles through the 200 years since it was written. Despite the circumstances and situations seeming so distant, human nature doesn't change; the characters have the kinds of personalities we see around us today, albeit a little caricatured. The book is also thought-provoking, leaving us to consider whether 'sense' or 'sensibility' is preferable - or indeed whether a prudent mixture of the two, as appropriate, would perhaps be most useful.

It does take a while to get started, and the first chapter might seem rather dull with the family and their relationships described in detail, and the complexities of the dead Mr Dashwood's inheritance being explained. However it's worth making the effort to read thoroughly, rather than skimming; so much of the irony is contained in unexpected references or conversations.

I first read this in my teens, re-read it about ten years later, and then recently picked it up again and enjoyed it once more. While the language and plot make it probably uninteresting for a younger child, it's well worth the effort for any teenager (including boys!) or adult to read this book, or others by Jane Austen, to get a vivid picture of the life of the times.

* Where to buy *

You can find this in almost any bookshop, on or offline. It's published as a Penguin classic paperback, at around £1.50, and also in many other versions, hardback and paperback. You can often pick up a copy at a charity shop for less than fifty pence. Some have notes in the back explaining archaic words, and references which might not be familiar to modern readers.

Summary: