Sense and Sensibility

Short summary on Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1811. The story follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, after their father dies and leaves them penniless. They must move in with their mother’s rich family, where they find love in unexpected places.

In 1995 the novel was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923.

Sense and Sensibility was written between 1795 and 1797 but not published until 1811. It was Austen’s second published novel and it was a success. In fact, it was so successful that she wrote another novel called Pride and Prejudice (1813) because of the popularity of Sense and Sensibility!

The book has been adapted for the screen several times including a 1995 BBC mini-series starring Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars and Kate Winslet as Elinor Dashwood.

Elinor Dashwood is the eldest of the Dashwood sisters, who has been in love with Edward Ferrars since childhood. She is practical and sensible and dutiful to her family. She often struggles against her feelings for Edward because she does not think he will ever measure up to her high standards.

Marianne Dashwood is the second sister in her family; she has always been closer to her mother than her sister Elinor and is more emotional than she is at times selfish or childish. At heart she is good and kind but she often acts rashly because of her passionate nature which makes her quick to fall in love but also quick to fall out of love once the object of affection has given them cause for offense or disappointment. However she can be quite generous when it comes to helping others less fortunate than herself who have been wronged by society or those who are not as lucky as.