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by Robin Sharma
Sense and Sensibility summary
Jane Austen
Brief summary
Sense and Sensibility is a classic novel by Jane Austen. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, marriage, and societal expectations in 19th-century England.
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Sense and Sensibility
Summary of key ideas
A Tale of Two Sisters
In Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, we follow the lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Their journey begins with a sudden descent into relative poverty after the death of their father. The story opens in their family home, Norland Park, which they must relinquish to their half-brother due to English inheritance laws favoring male descendents. While Elinor, the older sister, handles their changed circumstances with rationality and discretion, Marianne, her younger sister, is overwhelmingly guided by her emotions and romantic ideals.
The stark contrast in the sisters' reactions to their predicament serves as the crux around which the story develops. Elinor's stoicism is put to the test when she falls in love with their half-brother's close friend, Edward Ferrars, whose family disapproves of the attachment due to Elinor's lack of fortune. She bears her pain in silence, preserving the dignity and feelings of all parties involved. On the other hand, Marianne's passionate nature leads her into a tempestuous relationship with a charming yet unreliable man, John Willoughby.
A Game of Love and Deceit
As the Dashwood sisters navigate these tangled relationships, they confront the criticisms and expectations of a society obsessed with status and propriety. Marianne's open pursuit of love with Willoughby, despite his ambiguous intentions, attracts disapproval and scandal, while Elinor's controlled emotions mask her disappointment when she learns that Edward has been secretly engaged to Lucy Steele, a cunning young woman, for several years.
Shaken by Willoughby's subsequent rejection and catastrophic fall from grace, Marianne finds herself dangerously ill and on the brink of death. In her vulnerability, she begins to appreciate the stoic and steadfast love of Colonel Brandon, a family friend who loved Marianne from a distance. Edward, released from his engagement to Lucy, proposes to Elinor, revealing that his commitment to Lucy was borne more out of obligation than love.
A Circular Journey of Growth and Understanding
Marianne's near-death experience leads her to reevaluate her approach to life and love, clearing the path for her to reciprocate Brandon's affection. Elinor's patience, on the other hand, eventually pays off, and her relationship with Edward is solidified in an engagement. These transformations depict an evolution of the sisters' perspectives on love, bringing balance to their respective extremes of 'sense' and 'sensibility'.
Ultimately, both sisters learn from their respective experiences and each other. Marianne develops a measured sensibility, realizing the value of discretion and stability. Elinor, in her expression of happiness upon Edward's proposal, allows herself to display emotion openly, displaying a delicate blend of sense with sensibility.
A Classic Commentary on Society
The culmination of Sense and Sensibility is marked by an equilibrium between the sisters' differing natures, concluding with both finding love and happiness after enduring societal judgements and personal heartache. Austen's portrayal of their nuanced characters serves as a critique of the regimented societal norms of her era, encouraging a balance between sense and sensibility, practicality and emotion.
In conclusion, Sense and Sensibility provides a journey through the trials of love and societal expectations. Austen skillfully weaves a narrative that affirms the importance of remaining true to oneself while adhering to societal expectations, and the importance of a balanced approach to life's ups and downs. It is, at its core, a novel about growth, maturity, and the journey to finding personal happiness.
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What is Sense and Sensibility about?
Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility is a timeless novel that explores the lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. As they navigate the complexities of love, societal expectations, and personal growth, the book examines the contrast between rationality and emotional spontaneity. With Austen's signature wit and insight, it offers a profound commentary on the social mores and romantic notions of 19th-century England.
Who should read Sense and Sensibility?
- Fans of classic literature
- Readers who enjoy stories of romance and family dynamics
- Individuals interested in exploring the themes of sense versus sensibility and societal expectations
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