Sense and Sensibility was first published in 1811, sixteen years after Jane

Austen began the first draft, titled "Elinor and Marianne." Financed by Austen's
brother and attributed only to "A Lady," it was the first of her novels to be put into
print.

Austen is particularly known for her sharp portraits of early-nineteenth-century

upper-class English society and for her remarkable talent in creating complex, vibrant
characters. Sense and Sensibility is no exception. It is the story of two sisters, Elinor
and Marianne Dashwood, who, as members of the upper class, cannot "work" for a
living and must therefore make a suitable marriage to ensure their livelihood. The
novel is a sharply detailed portraiture of the decorum surrounding courtship and the
importance of marriage to a woman's livelihood and comfort.

The novel is also, as is most evident in its title, a comparison between the sisters'
polar personalities. The eldest sister, Elinor, exemplifies the sense of the title—she is
portrayed as a paragon of common sense and diplomatic behavior—while her
younger sister Marianne personifies sensibility in her complete abandonment to
passion and her utter lack of emotional control. In upholding Elinor's levelheaded and
rational behavior and criticizing Marianne's romantic passions, Austen follows the
form of the didactic novel, in which the personalities of two main characters are
compared in order to find favor with one position and therefore argue against the
other. Although rich in character development and wit, Sense and Sensibility is
viewed

Author Biography

Jane Austen, a nineteenth-century English novelist, is considered one of Britain's

most important writers. Her talent has been compared to that of Shakespeare, and her
work remains an integral and important part of what is commonly accepted as the
canon of classic English literature.

Austen was born December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, the seventh child and
second daughter of Rev. Austen was a member of the professional class. As she lived
her entire life in the country, she wrote about her society and her surroundings, and
she would become famous for her insightful portrayals of upper-class English country
life.

Austen's novels often focus on the necessity of women of her society to marry for
security. Although Austen did have several suitors throughout her early adulthood,
she never did marry, either because of a lack of money on both sides or because of a
lack of compatibility.

As a teenager, Jane wrote plays and stories, mostly satires and parodies of
contemporary work, for the amusement of her family.

 Sense and Sensibility proved to be successful: Austen netted 140 pounds.

Austen died in Winchester on July 18, 1817, after a gradual illness. Henry went on to
publish Austen's final novels in 1818. They were North-anger Abbey and Persuasion.

Plot Summary

Chapters 1–2

Elinor and Marianne, the Dashwood sisters and main characters of the novel, are
introduced. The novel opens with a description of the line of inheritance of the
Dashwood estate. Mr. John Dashwood, the half brother of the Dashwood sisters, is
left controlling virtually the entire inheritance. He promises his father that he will
take care of his half sisters.

Mrs. John Dashwood shrewdly convinces her husband that his promise need not
include any significant financial obligation to his sisters. Mr. and Mrs. John
Dashwood take over the residence in Norland after inheriting the estate, leaving Mrs.
Henry Dashwood and her daughters feeling like visitors in their home. Elinor,
Marianne, and the younger Margaret will have to rely on their charms in securing a
husband for their future comfort and security.

Chapters 3–5

Edward Ferrars, the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood and a man due to inherit a
significant fortune, is introduced as a love interest of Elinor. The temperaments of
Elinor and Edward suit each other perfectly. Both are practical and not inclined to
passionate outbursts. Marianne is not impressed with Edward. However, Mrs.
Dashwood, recognizing the necessity of her daughters to marry well, is pleased with
the developing intimacy between the two. Mrs. Dashwood, accepting the offer of a
relation, moves with her daughters to a cottage in Barton. The move separates
Edward and Elinor.

Chapters 6–8
The Dashwoods get settled in their new home and make the acquaintance of Sir John
Middleton, the relation who made the cottage available to them. The sisters are
invited to the Middleton's home for a social gathering. There they meet Lady
Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, who is Lady Middleton's mother, and Colonel Brandon, a
friend of Sir John. Marianne plays the pianoforte and Colonel Brandon silently
listens. Marianne thinks that Brandon, a man of thirty-five, is old, jaded, and has
outlived his usefulness in enjoying life. Later, Mrs. Jennings, a gossip and
matchmaker, believes that Brandon is interested in pursuing Marianne.

Media Adaptations
 Sense and Sensibility was first adapted for television in 1985. This version
starred Irene Richards and Tracey Childs.
 A movie adaptation was produced in 1995 by Columbia/Tri Star Studios and
directed by Ang Lee. The film starred Emma Thompson (who also wrote the
Oscar-winning screenplay), Hugh Grant, and Kate Winslet.
 Several abridged audio recordings of the novel have been produced, most
notably a version read by Kate Winslet, produced by Highbridge.
 An unabridged audio version, 900 minutes long and performed by Jill Masters,
is available from Blackstone Audiobooks.

Criticism

David Partikian

Partikian is a Seattle-based freelance writer and English instructor. In this essay,

Partikian addresses the question of whether Jane Austen is a political writer based
on the fate of her heroines.

Her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, centers closely on the domestic lives of a close
circle of well-to-do friends and relatives. The narrative action and dialogue in the
novel, however, is completely separated from political and historical events of the
era; the action appears to occur in a hermetically sealed bubble. The countryside of
Barton, where the Dashwood sisters live, and the London of Mrs. Jennings and other
landed gentry seems to be far removed from the poverty of slums, class
disenfranchisement, and any talk of political or social reform that characterized the
political climate of the England in which they lived. Thus, Austen has not been
widely viewed—both to her credit and to her criticism—as a political writer.

In Sense and Sensibility, as the title suggests, Austen pits romantic notions
(sensibility) against rationale (sense) by comparing the socially proper Elinor
Dashwood with her romantically-inclined sister Marianne.