First published in 1811, Jane Austen’s novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’ is an example of a traditional English novel. A source for numerous researchers (Bander, Downes, Pellerdi), it depicts the life of that time. The plot is not very tricky or unexpected. After the death of Mr. Henry Dashwood at the beginning of the story, his wife and their three daughters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret stay with little money and nowhere to live, for everything was inherited by their half-brother, Mr. John Dashwood. Thus, staying at the crossways, the ladies make a decision to leave the house, for living with Fanny, John Dashwood’s wife becomes unbearable. They move to the Barton Cottage, offered by Mrs. Dashwood’s cousin, and are welcomed with open arms. I suppose it was the correct decision, because of its consequences, finally, led to the happy end.
Firstly, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters did not feel well at their house. After the death of their dear father and husband, everything reminded of him at the house. The situation is reflected in the plot: “Mrs. Dashwood remained at Norland several months; not from any disinclination to move when the sight of every well known spot ceased to raise the violent emotion which it produced for a while; for when her spirits began to revive, and her mind became capable of some other exertion than that of heightening its affliction by melancholy remembrances, she was impatient to be gone, and indefatigable in her inquiries for a suitable dwelling in the neighbourhood of Norland; for to remove far from that beloved spot was impossible” (Austen 9). She probably found some reconciliation and peace in the idleness she lived with. Finally, after Sir John Middleton’s invitation, they left the beloved house and went away to meet their new life. Despite sad farewell to the native place, now they were not likely to have time to grieve.
So, the change of place was sure a good thing for all of them, and especially for young ladies. New home meant new surroundings and people. At their welcome dinner, the Dashwoods got acquainted with Colonel Brandon, the friend of Sir John. He seemed to be an old bachelor for Marianne, although she felt respect for him (Austen 27). At that time nobody could predict that the meeting was momentous.
Unluckily, the Dashwoods had no carriage and could not visit the neighbors, so the ladies enjoyed walking in the beautiful countryside. Once during the walk, they were caught in the pouring rain, and Marianne hurt her leg. That was the moment for one more fatal meeting, this time with Mr. Willoughby, who helped Marianne to get home.
The above events would never have happened if the Dashwoods had not left Norland. After all, Elinor married Edward Ferrars, and Marianne gave her heart to Colonel Brandon. Thus, we can conclude, that the choice they made was a correct thing to do. Apart from the life choices, the novel is recognizable due to its women characters. The Dashwood sisters illustrate the title of the book: “Elinor exemplifies the sense … 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” (Gale 2). Despite being so different, they finally came to the long awaited happiness.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. Oxford University Press, 2008.
Bander, Elaine. From Cecilia to Pride and Prejudice: “What becomes of the moral?”Jane Austen Society of North America. Web.
Downes, Daragh. “A Something or a Nothing”: Towards a Sensibilious Reading of Sense and Sensibility.Jane Austen Society of North America. Web.
Gale. A Study Guide for Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Cengage Learning, 2015.
Pellerdi, Marta. “A Something or a Nothing”: Towards a Sensibilious Reading of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen Society of North America. Web.
Sense and Sensibility. Cliff Notes. Web.