Critics have claimed that the whole plot of Sense and Sensibility depends on the tension between what is concealed and what is shared with others--the private and the public. Do you agree with this statement?
Secrecy and concealment are very important themes in Sense and Sensibility. The attachments that form between the men and women in the novel usually begin in secrecy and only later become known to the public. For example, Lucy and Edward are engaged for four years before Lucy's older sister accidentally reveals this news to the public, and Colonel Brandon had been secretly in love with a woman named Eliza Williams before his father learned of the relationship. Marianne's relationship with Willoughby remains somewhat of a mystery because Marianne does not reveal any of the details to her mother or sister. Finally, Elinor keeps her feelings for Edward concealed beneath her cool and composed exterior. Sometimes, this concealment is warranted because of all the gossips, like Mrs. Jennings, who enjoy telling stories about others: to publicize a relationship is to expose it to catty remarks. However, all secrets are eventually revealed, whether intentionally or not. The unintentional revelations are often the most painful, as when Marianne learns of Willoughby's attachment to Miss Sophia Grey, and Elinor learns of the engagement between Edward and Lucy. The novel's crucial turns in plot occur during these moments of revelation; thus, to follow and analyze the plot is to follow and analyze these revelations. Austen's novel can therefore be seen as a weighing of the merits and disadvantages of secrecy in intimate relationships.
What were the advantages and disadvantages of Austen's decision to publish this novel anonymously?
The first edition of Sense and Sensibility was said only to be "by a lady." The second edition, also anonymous, contained on the title page the inscription "by the author of Pride and Prejudice ," which had been issued in January 1813 (though Austen had not been credited on the title page of this novel either). Only Austen's immediate family knew of her authorship of these novels. And although publishing anonymously prevented her from acquiring an authorial reputation, it also enabled her to preserve her privacy at a time when entering the public sphere was associated with a reprehensible loss of femininity. Indeed, Austen used to write at Chawton behind a door that creaked when visitors approached; she would avail herself of this warning to hide her manuscript before they entered. Austen may have wanted anonymity not only because of her gender and a desire for privacy, but because of the more general atmosphere of repression pervading her era: Her early writing of Sense and Sensibility coincided with the treason trial of Thomas Hardy and the proliferation of government censors as the Napoleonic War progressed. Yet one must consider: perhaps if she had made her gender known, Austen could have made it easier for other women novelists to find acceptance in the publishing world; her books proved that women were intelligent, witty, and insightful just as men were. Women readers might have gained confidence to read this talented woman author. Moreover, perhaps some readers might have valued Austen's biting social commentary all the more had they known it was a woman's viewpoint; women's voices were rarely heard, and Austen was providing a first- hand glimpse into a woman's world and thoughts.
Although it ends with the marriages of the two main female characters, some readers have claimed that of all of Austen's novels, Sense and Sensibility has the saddest ending. Do you agree with this statement?
Do you find Marianne's decision to marry Colonel Brandon to be a plausible conclusion? Why or why not?
Elinor and Marianne's younger sister Margaret plays a very minor role in the novel. Why do you think Austen included this character? Does she further any of the plot? Does she shed light on any of the other characters?
Comment on Austen's depiction of children in the novel. Consider Lady Middleton's four children, Margaret Dashwood, and the birth of Mrs. Palmer's child. What do the other characters say about these children? What does Austen say about them directly? What do the children's own actions tell us about them?
Although Elinor Dashwood is not a first-person narrator, most of the story is told through her eyes and Austen seems to agree with all of her opinions. Why do you think the author chose this method of storytelling?
What is the role of letters in Sense and Sensibility? When does Austen include the letters that one character sends to another, and when does she merely mention that such a letter was sent? How do you think Austen determined whether a letter would be displayed or simply described? How do both kinds of letters further the novel's plot or characterizations?
Before he abandons Marianne, is John Willoughby a likeable character? Does Austen give any indication early on in the novel that he is not as he appears?
I fail to understand Colonel Brandon's attraction for Marianne - to all intents and purposes Elinor would seem, to me, a much more suitable partner. So Marianne's ultimate marriage to Brandon at the end of the novel leaves the only jarring note of what is, otherwise, a most enjoyable book. One last thing, I can't fathom why a younger daughter, Margaret, is introduced at all and would love to hear others' takes on my opinions.
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Elinor finds her love of life and she continues her life with edward while marianne is heart broken.in the novel the bond between elinor and edward,marianne and willoughby grow slowly and pssionately in their own ways while colonel's love for marianne is an unrequited love.we clearly acknowledged that marianne seeks love and passion more than elinor.but wat happens at the end is so spontaneous.itz somewhat hard to believe that a lover like marianne gets along with colonel.it is evident that she marries him to prevent herself from her heartbr... Read more→
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Concerning this engagement, for those of you who haven't read this masterpiece (tsk, tsk), Edward and Lucy became enamored with each other while Edward was staying at Lucy's uncle's home, Mr. Pratt. Because Edward wasn't aware of what girl's were really like comparatively, he thought Lucy was perfect enough to become engaged to her. Both he and Lucy were around 18-19. Later in the story, when Edward proposes to Elinor, he tells her that, yes he and Lucy had been engaged for FOUR years. NOT ONE. He is 23-24 when he tells her this. This fact i
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