“Sense” and “Sensibility” in Accordance to the Transition of Neoclassicism to Romanticism Period in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility is an 1811 novel written by British author Jane Austen in the transitional period of Neoclassical to Romanticism. The story centers on the love story of the Dashwood sisters, specifically Elinor Dashwood and Marianne Dashwood with their respective romantic partners. Both sisters have very distinct characters; the oldest Elinor Dashwood is a prudent and composed young woman, while her younger sister, Marianne Dashwood, is an impulsive and expressive young woman. The story mainly sets in Devonshire, England in the late 18th century — early 19th century.
The story begins with the death of Henry Dashwood, which left his second wife, Mrs. Dashwood, no money. He had actually instructed his only son with his first wife, John Dashwood, to give some amount of money to his stepmother and stepsisters but after being persuaded not to by his greedy wife, Fanny Dashwood, John thus inherits all his father’s money himself, leaving the poor Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters penniless. John and Fanny even claim the house that used to be where Mrs. Dashwood and her family live their whole life, Norland Park, and make them have no choice but to leave. Elinor, however, does not want to leave Norland Park in which they grew up together, and also after being attached to a gentleman namely Edward Ferrars. He is no other than Fanny Dashwood’s younger brother who made a visit to Norland Park just before Elinor and her family moved out. The Dashwood family finally moved in to Barton Cottage, owned by Mrs. Dashwood’s relative, Mr. Middleton. A gentleman who goes by the name of Colonel Brandon falls in love with Marianne not long after. Unfortunately, the feeling is not mutual since Marianne fall in love with John Willoughby who had saved her after she slipped in the rain and hurt her ankle instead. Long story short, in the Barton Cottage, the Dashwood sisters learn about love, heartbreak, and growing up.
I specifically want to highlight two things, that is, the significance of the title Sense and Sensibility and the Dashwood sisters’ love stories, in accordance to Neoclassical elements as well as the Romantics elements portrayed in the book.
The title Sense and Sensibility is well representing the Dashwood sisters — Elinor and Marianne’s personalities. Cambridge dictionary defines the word “sense” as “the ability to make reasonable judgments” (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.). This term is perfectly embodied in the character of Elinor Dashwood who is prudent and composed — way too composed to her liking, if I may say. It is in fact on the contrary with the term “sensibility” which means “the ability to feel and react to something” (Cambridge dictionary, n.d.) which is perfectly embodied in the character of Marianne Dashwood who is impulsive, expressive, and sometimes reckless. The personalities “sense” and “sensibility” are reflected in the way the sisters react to the problems coming their way, in this case, their love stories.
“Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart; — her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.” (Austen, 2008, p. 4)
In the case of Elinor Dashwood, she befriends Lucy Steele after moving to Barton Cottage. It is later revealed that Lucy is the fiancée of Elinor’s dear Edward Ferrars and they have been engaged secretly since years ago. Upon learning this news, Elinor cannot help but be heartbroken. Her “sense” seems to take a big role in determining her attitude towards the bad news. Elinor Dashwood remains calm and keeps the news to herself, telling nobody. She does not confront anyone. Not Lucy Steele, not even Edward Ferrars. She believes that it is the right thing to do to just let him go and make him keep and be responsible for his promise to Lucy Steele and that she can do nothing about it. As the story proceeds, though, I think it is because of Elinor Dashwood’s patience, prudence, and good personality that finally, a miracle happens to her life for once. After being told that Mr. Ferrars has married Lucy Steele, Elinor is beyond happy to learn that Mr. Ferrars in question refers to Robert Ferrars, the brother of Edward Ferrars. He himself then comes to the Dashwoods’ residence to clear up any misunderstandings left and then proposes Elinor Dashwood. He told her that apparently, upon hearing the news of Edward Ferrars’s secret engagement to Lucy Steel, his mother disowned him and instead transfer his inheritance to his brother Robert Ferrars. It is ironic to know that Robert Ferrars is married to the woman because of whom his brother lost his inheritance. But anyway, the most important thing is that now both Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars acquire the happiness they deserve.
“Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. she was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.” (Austen, 2008, p. 5)
On the other hand, the term “sensibility” is embodied in the personality of Marianne Dashwood who is eager and impulsive. It is apparent in the way in which she easily falls in love with a man she barely knows just because he saved her.
“I think you will like him,’ said Elinor, ‘when you know more of him.” (Austen, 2008, p. 11) Elinor Dashwood to Marianne Dashwood.
Elinor Dashwood, being prudent as always, has warned her to be cautious and careful towards him, John Willoughby, as she is yet to know him very well. But the nature of her “sensible” character has made her ignoring her sister’s caution. And Elinor Dashwood turns out to be the right one after all. John Willoughby’s ugly truth of his past is revealed which caused him to be disinherited. After becoming poor, John Willoughby left Marianne Dashwood heartbroken and chose to be engaged with a wealthy heiress named Ms. Grey. This occurrence has led Marianne to reevaluate her feelings towards the man whom she thought she knew.
Elinor could no longer witness this torrent of unresisted grief in silence.
“Exert yourself, dear Marianne,” she cried, “if you would not kill yourself and all who love you. Think of your mother; think of her misery while YOU suffer: for her sake you must exert yourself.”
“I cannot, I cannot,” cried Marianne; “leave me, leave me, if I distress you; leave me, hate me, forget me! but do not torture me so. Oh! how easy for those, who have no sorrow of their own to talk of exertion!”
(Austen, 2008, p. 128)
The composed figure of Elinor Dashwood offers Marianne a consolation without her knowing that Elinor Dashwood, too, is going through a hard time too after she learned that Edward Ferrars is engaged. The existence of Colonel Brandon has contributed a great help for Marianne Dashwood to move on. Despite being ignored by Marianne Dashwood for god-knows-how-many-times, he is persistent in loving her and always be there for her through thick and thin, throughout her process of falling in love with John Willoughby until their break up. After learning his sincerity and making use of her “sensibility’ right this time, she grows fond of Colonel Brandon and marries him.
In conclusion, the contrast of both characters that are represented by the terms “sense” and “sensibility” is a good depiction of what was happening in that period of transition from neoclassical to romanticism period. Elinor Dashwood represents the “sense” that is suitable for the elements and characteristics of the Neoclassical era. She is logical, reasonable, rational, thoughtful, and barely shows her emotions. Even so, the human nature or flaw of her still can be clearly seen from the way in which she is stubborn to confront nobody and is hurting alone, she is too kind for her sake, which I consider it as her flaw. Meanwhile, Marianne Dashwood represents the “sensible” that is suitable for the elements and characteristics of the Romanticism era that support overflowing emotion to be expressed. Marianne is expressive and impulsive. She is aware and accepts her emotion as it is, on the contrary to the rational and composed quality that Elinor Dashwood has.
References
Austen, J. (2008). Sense and Sensibility. Retrieved December, 2020, from http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/161
Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.). Sense. In Cambridge dictionary. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sense
Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.). Sensibility. In Cambridge dictionary. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sensibility
