Pride And Prejudice Sense And Sensibility Essay

Pride And Prejudice, Sense And Sensibility Essay, Research Paper

Jane Austen s characters always undergo an event that morally changes their being. In Sense and Sensibility this moral change is obvious in Elinor and Marianne. The development of these adolescents into mature, reasonable adults is a gradual transformation seen in Sense and Sensibility. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy begin Pride and Prejudice as arrogant and biased adults and end the story as liberal minded individuals.

In Sense and Sensibility the family has been forced to move from the plush lap of luxury into a more modest setting. Mr. Dashwood has just passed away. Since this was a patrilineal society, the eldest son, John Dashwood, inherits all of Mr. Dashwood s estate. John planed to live at Norland with his wife, Fanny Dashwood. Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters needed to relocate. This is a significant adjustment for everyone involved. In addition to the move to Barton Cottage, the family is also experiencing a decline in their income and thus must live a more middle class existence.

Marianne was Mrs. Dashwood s middle daughter. 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. (Austen, pg5). Marianne was only seventeen and behaved as such. She was unable to hold back her feelings even in a social setting with friends. Mrs. Dashwood s disposition was similar to Marianne s. They were similar in the expression of emotions. After Henry Dashwood died Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood, encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. (Austen, pg 5). The phrase misery loves company comes to mind to explain how they would commiserate with each other.

Marianne was full of emotions and thoughts that she would not conceal. Her personality was the extreme opposite of Elinor s The moral development in Marianne has its roots in Willoughby, a young gentleman that rescues her from a fall on a mountainside near their new home. It was a very romantic scene when Willoughby, took her up in his arms without further delay, and carried her down the hill (Austen, p21). Marianne was excited at the whole situation especially since his manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of general admiration (Austen, p21). Willoughby was now a fixture in the Dashwood s life, he called on them regularly. The relationship between Willoughby and Marianne developed rapidly just like a passionate adolescent infatuation. When he was present, she had no eyes for anyone else. Everything he did was right (Austen, p26).

A short time later Willoughby visits at Barton Cottage to tell the Dashwood s that I am unable to keep my engagement with you (Austen, p36). He is being sent off to London on business for Mrs. Smith, his aunt. He had no idea of returning into Devonshire immediately (Austen, p36). This behavior by Willoughby is seen as a most unfortunate event. The Dashwood s are very surprised at Willoughby s quick departure and Marianne is crushed.

When Marianne arrives in London her anticipation in seeing Willoughby again is great. She almost immediately sends a note to Willoughby. Her spirits still continued very high, but there was a flutter in them which prevented their giving much pleasure to her sister (Austen, p74). Marianne was behaving like a self centered, selfish teenager. Instead of being a gracious guest in Mrs. Jennings home, she was anxiously listening to the sound of every carriage (Austen, p74) and not giving any attention to the socially acceptable behavior that was expected of her. Colonel Brandon is a character that stands on the peripheral of the story while Willoughby breaks the heart of his ward and Marianne. Colonel Brandon had a very high regard for Marianne, but Marianne had no interest in an old man.

At a party shortly after their arrival to London, Marianne sees Willoughby. He is with another woman and tells them that he did receive the information that they were in town. He makes no attempt to continue the relationship that he left at Devonshire. Marianne absorbed this site and became dreadfully white, and unable to stand (Austen, p81). Marianne almost fully realizes that the situation with Willoughby is now ruptured completely. There was no hope of reconciliation. A letter arrived for Marianne from Willoughby that was so impudently cruel: a letter which, instead of bringing with his desire of a release any professions of regret, acknowledged no breach of faith, denied all peculiar affection proclaimed its writer to be deep in hardened villainy (Austen, p84). In the end Willoughby was a worthless, selfish man who needed to marry for money instead of for love. He was a high maintenance man who could not be sustained on happiness and love. The relationship with Willoughby was over and very painful for Marianne.

Marianne becomes deathly ill during a short stay at the Palmer s home. Marianne was languid and low from the nature of her malady, and feelings herself universally ill, could no longer hope that tomorrow would find her recovered (Austen, p141). A message was sent to Mrs. Dashwood and Colonel Brandon took the responsibility to carry the message. He stood by the whole time Marianne was sick and behaved like a responsible, caring and loving companion. During her recovery she realizes that her sis