Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austen’s classic novel of reputation, romance, and family. It follows the lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, as they navigate their way through the complexities of English society in the early 19th century after they are cast out from the family home after the death of their father. The sensible and reserved eldest sister, Elinor, is the “sense” half of the novel’s title, while the younger and more emotionally expressive Marianne is the “sensibility” half. The tensions and contrasts between these characters form the dramatic arch and moral focus on the story. The novel celebrates the virtues of sense and sensibility, exploring themes of love, money, social status, and family responsibility. Elinor and Marianne must confront their own prejudices and come to terms with the realities of their society in order to find true happiness. With its sharp wit and insight, Sense and Sensibility is a timeless story of love, loss, and growth.