Sense and Sensibility: Summary

Sense and Sensibility explores the social expectations of Regency England and its impact on two sisters, Elinor and Marianne. The novel examines the conflict between the rational, logical Elinor and the passionate, romantic Marianne as they both search for true love in a society where status, money, and class influence marriage prospects. It also looks at how their contrasting personalities are shaped by their upbringing, their family dynamics, and their experiences in life. Other themes in the novel include friendship, duty, honor, reputation, reputation management, prejudice, pride and vanity.

1. What is the central conflict of Sense and Sensibility?
2. How do Elinor and Marianne's different approaches to life illustrate the themes of sense and sensibility?
3. How does Austen use satire to examine societal conventions in the novel?
4. What role does money play in the events of the novel?
5. How do class distinctions affect the choices and destinies of the Dashwood sisters?
6. In what ways are Edward Ferrars and Colonel Brandon similar characters?
7. In what ways is Lucy Steele an important character, despite her limited presence in the story?
8. How does Austen use dialogue and language to convey character traits and motivations?
9. What does the novel suggest about romantic relationships between men and women at this time period?
10. How does Austen depict human relationships in general throughout the novel?

• I found the characters in Sense and Sensibility to be incredibly well-developed and relatable.
• Austen's use of subtle irony to highlight societal norms was particularly clever.
• The novel explores the complex relationship between reason and emotion in a way that is both sophisticated and accessible.
• It was interesting to see how Marianne's journey towards maturity progressed throughout the story.
• Elinor and Marianne's contrasting personalities offered a fascinating insight into female identity in Victorian society.
• Austen's use of dialogue to convey her characters' feelings was masterful and highly effective.
• The tension between Edward and Lucy's opposing social standings added an extra layer of drama to the narrative.
• I admired the way Austen used humour to lighten some of the more difficult moments in the book.
• Sense and Sensibility provides a powerful critique of gender roles, class divisions, and other aspects of 19th century English life.
• The ending, which resolves many of the novel's central issues but still leaves open questions for readers to contemplate, is a satisfying conclusion to a great work of literature.

1. "The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love."
2. "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
3. "It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy;—it is disposition alone."
4. "The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense."
5. "A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can."

1. Sense and Sensibility (1995) – Directed by Ang Lee, this film adaptation stars Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant. 2. Sense and Sensibility (2008) – This BBC television adaptation stars Dominic Cooper, Hattie Morahan, Dan Stevens and David Morrissey. 3. Sense & Sensibility (2016) – Directed by John Madden, this modern-day retelling of the classic story stars Hayden Panettiere, Emma Thompson, Mark Strong and Chad Willett. 4. Sense & Sensibility (2017) – A radio adaptation written by Melissa Murray and directed by Allegra McIlroy was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2017. 5. Sense & Sensibility: The Musical (2020) – Based on the novel by Jane Austen and adapted for the stage by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Cohen, this musical adaptation was filmed for a digital release in 2020.

• Pride and Prejudice
• Mansfield Park
• Emma
• Northanger Abbey
• Persuasion
• Lady Susan
• Sanditon