Sense and Sensibility

Interesting Facts

• The main heroines of the novel, the Dashwood sisters, embody two opposing approaches to life: sense and restraint versus emotion and passion.
• The novel was written during a time when social norms and expectations for women were extremely restrictive, and through her heroines, Jane Austen explores these limitations.
• Initially, the novel was written in the form of an epistolary novel, that is, in the form of letters, but was later reworked into traditional prose.
• Elinor Dashwood, the elder sister, is often perceived as a reflection of Jane Austen herself, who was also known for her restraint and rationality.
• Marianne Dashwood, the younger sister, symbolizes romantic idealism and a tendency towards excessive emotionality, leading her to suffering and disappointment.
• The novel raises important questions about marriage, money, and social status, showing how financial circumstances can affect personal relationships.
• One of the key conflicts in the novel is the difference between internal feelings and external expressions, reflecting the social norms of the time when open expression of emotions was considered unacceptable.