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Sense and Sensibility

Questions About Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen

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Answered Questions (37)

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kellyjane I think that Colonel Brandon was written as falling in love with Marianne almost as quickly and easily as he was smitten with her. Jane Austen doesn't…m´Ç°ù±ðI think that Colonel Brandon was written as falling in love with Marianne almost as quickly and easily as he was smitten with her. Jane Austen doesn't really explain it (she never takes us inside the mind of Colonel Brandon); but apparently he sees qualities in Marianne (passion, loyalty, intelligence, exuberance) that he had been prone to admire through his adult life, beginning with Eliza. (That ventured, I don't think that Colonel Brandon was a particularly well-written character, truth be told.)

My sense of Marianne was that she was written as someone who undergoes a rather profound shift in her consciousness, outlook, and values as a result of almost bringing her own destruction upon herself. She accepted Elinor's ethos of 'emotional self-government' rather than impulsive emotional reactivity-- along with accepting more of Elinor's outlook on social proprieties and etc-- and therefore, it seems to me, was open to the more 'sensible' choice of marrying a mature and stable and decent man who would be devoted to her. It seemed to me that Jane Austen hinted something like that Marianne would come to love Colonel Brandon over time, because it was her nature 'never to do anything by halves'. It was more a respect and gratitude that would evolve into a feeling of love because of Marianne's strong sense of loyalty to whatever she could genuinely appreciate. All of her surrounding loved ones wanted the marriage to take place, and she acquiesced.

But for me personally, it wasn't a particularly satisfying arc of the story's drama. I can understand it; but I can't help feeling that Marianne sacrificed a part of herself in marrying for respect rather than organically passionate love.(less)
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Hello everyone! I want to read Sense and Sensibility. Any suggestion on what publishing house I should get it from? I want an unabridged version with a translation that is not confusing. Thank you so much in advance!
Chris Gager Translation? I guess you COULD put out an easier-to-read version, but it'd be a sacrilege!…m´Ç°ù±ðTranslation? I guess you COULD put out an easier-to-read version, but it'd be a sacrilege!(less)
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How do the people in this novel acquire income/money? They never seem to work. But they talk as if just living on a property gives them income. And why are characters given their money (like inheritance) in annual increments instead of all at once?
Sheila Markey The main people obtain their money in Sense and Sensibility severals ways. First, multiple people like Mr. Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mr. Willoughby, …m´Ç°ù±ðThe main people obtain their money in Sense and Sensibility severals ways. First, multiple people like Mr. Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mr. Willoughby, own property which provides them with money from rents. They may also farm the land directly. They can also obtain money from their land by selling the natural resources like trees. Specific types of trees were often intentionally planted so that there would could be sold it the future. Mr. Dashwood discusses selling trees in the book and Sir John Middleton is mentioned owning a plantation. The second way we see to earn money was through a job, but it should be noted that there were only a few careers considered acceptable for genteel society to take up. These were the church, the army, and law. These tended to be the domain of younger sons because the bulk of the estate was always passed down to the heir to keep it intact. Colonel Brandon was a second son and he joined the army and travelled to India because of it. The law is an option that Edward Farrarsâ€� family ( although he is an heir) would like him to join. This specifically would mean to become a barrister who trys cases in court. Third is to join the clergy. This required going to the universities at Oxford or Cambridge and then being ordained. If one managed to obtain at least one church living, whether by being given it or though purchase, one could get money from both tithing the locals who belonged to the parish and farming one’s own land. Edward Farrarsâ€� living ends up being over £200 which is the same amount that Jane Austen’s father first made when he married. This would be on the low level for gentility income. One needed around £1000 a year to be able to afford to buy and maintain a carriage. Another way we see people obtaining their money is through trade. This is not genteel and lowered one’s social status. People who obtained their money would include the Jennings family. Families in trade often provided very large doweries to their daughters in order to marry into the more socially desireable gentry and aristocratic class which is what the Jennings have done with their daughters. Doweries were also generally provided with daughter’s of the gentry and aristocracy as well. Money could also be made through investments. Mrs. Ferrars seems to have investments which she would be willing to give to Edward Farrars (on top of an estate) if he would marry the rich Miss Morton. They money that the Dashwood women have is also in investments. Investments, or bonds, had an interest of either 3% or 5%. All together they have £10000 which gives them £500 a year to live on. To put in perspective how miserly there half-brother is being by not giving them additional money he has, combining inheritances, estate income, and money from his wife’s dowery, at least £5000 a year.
Sources: The Annoted Sense and Sensibility edited by David M. shapard
Jane Austen: the World of Her Novels by Deirdre Le Faye(less)
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Is Sense and Sensibility suitable for an innocent 13-year-old? Basically my question is are there any sex scenes in the book?
Melanti It was written in 1811 by the daughter of a rector. So, no sex scenes.
Ms. Austen would be quite, quite shocked to hear you even ask such a thing!

It's…m´Ç°ù±ðIt was written in 1811 by the daughter of a rector. So, no sex scenes.
Ms. Austen would be quite, quite shocked to hear you even ask such a thing!

It's so proper that they won't even say outright that Mrs. Palmer is pregnant, just that she "expects to be confined in February" and even that is such an embarrassing topic that the subject is immediately changed.(less)
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Zoe Danger Also, Robert is the favorite. She has always like Robert more than Edward. While she was distraught by it she likes Robert more than Edward. Edward ev…m´Ç°ù±ðAlso, Robert is the favorite. She has always like Robert more than Edward. While she was distraught by it she likes Robert more than Edward. Edward even says so himself regarding the marriage, that she will be more distraught by it, but he will also be more easily forgiven.
It came across to me more as further excuse to get what she wanted, which which Robert as her eldest son and favorite. Robert has the pomp that she liked where Edward didn't have any desire for any of it.(less)
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