Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility is a celebrated novel by the English author Jane Austen.

It was first published in 1811. At that time, the book was published anonymously. The title page listed the author simply as "By A Lady." The story is likely set between 1792 and 1797. It follows the Dashwood family after a significant loss of wealth. The narrative explores how people manage intense emotions and social expectations. It examines the tension between rational thought and deep feeling.

The plot begins when Henry Dashwood dies. He leaves his estate to his son, John. However, John's wife, Fanny, persuades him not to support his stepmother and half-sisters. This leaves the mother and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, with very little money. They must move from their large home in Sussex to a modest cottage in Devonshire. This move is facilitated by a distant relative, Sir John Middleton. The sisters must navigate new social circles while facing financial instability.

The novel focuses on the contrasting personalities of the two eldest sisters. Elinor represents "sense," which signifies good judgment, wisdom, and prudence. Marianne represents "sensibility," which signifies sensitivity, sympathy, and strong emotionality. These traits lead to very different life experiences. For example, Marianne falls deeply in love with John Willoughby. She abandons caution and propriety due to her intense feelings. In contrast, Elinor faces her own heartaches with quiet restraint and self-control. Both sisters eventually learn from one another through their personal suffering.

Jane Austen's writing process involved significant changes to the book's structure. She likely wrote the first draft as an epistolary novel. An epistolary novel is a story told through a series of letters. This draft was written when she was roughly 19 or 21 years old. Her original working title was "Elinor and Marianne." She later revised the work into a continuous narrative. This change allowed for a more expansive exploration of her themes. It also moved the book from a character sketch toward a deeper social commentary.

Several historical and literary influences shaped the novel. Austen may have drawn inspiration from contemporary writers like Jane West. West wrote "A Gossip's Story" in 1796. That book featured a sister characterized by rational sense and another by emotive sensibility. One of West's characters was even named Marianne. Additionally, some scholars suggest Colonel Brandon was inspired by Warren Hastings. Hastings was the first Governor-General of India. He was known for matters of honor and had a complicated family history. These details add a layer of historical realism to the fiction.

Critical reception of the novel has evolved over many decades. In 1812, reviewers praised the book for being realistic and well-written. Some early critics viewed the novel as a "conduct book." They believed it taught lessons about how to behave in society. These reviewers often favored Elinor's calm temperament over Marianne's extreme emotions. However, by 1866, some readers began to sympathize more with Marianne. They argued that the book's strength lay in its treatment of minor characters. This shows how different readers find different meanings in the text.

Today, the novel is studied for its complex psychological depth. The terms "sense" and "sensibility" are not just personality traits. They represent broader philosophical ideas about how humans should live. Some critics, like Tony Tanner, see the book as a study of social stability. They look at the tension between individual desires and societal requirements. Others note that Austen's approach has a certain "wobble." This suggests she may have become less certain about which trait was superior. Ultimately, the novel remains a profound study of human growth and resilience.