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The ‘Sense and Sensibility’ in Jane Austen’s Novel

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The ‘Sense and Sensibility’ in Jane Austen’s Novel
In Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” two sisters demonstrate opposite tendencies: One shows prudence and the other poetic feelings. "Evening or Full Dress," a fashion plate for "The Repository of Arts," June 1, 1810, by Rudolph Ackermann. Hand-colored engraving on paper. Gift of Charles LeMaire, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Public Domain
Lorraine Ferrier
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Everyone knows a drama queen. In Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” Marianne Dashwood happily plays the role, and wonderfully demonstrates how the fashion for sensibility at the time is taken to excess. Marianne’s heart is her compass, and she willfully goes wherever her feelings and flights of fancy take her, mostly in her mind. Needless to say, it nearly kills her. Conversely, her sister Elinor, who takes us through the story, is anchored in rationality and self-restraint.
Marianne trapped in her emotions, in an illustration by C. E. Brock, in the 1908 edition of “Sense and Sensibility.” (Public Domain)
Marianne trapped in her emotions, in an illustration by C. E. Brock, in the 1908 edition of “Sense and Sensibility.” Public Domain
Lorraine Ferrier
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.
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