Sense and Sensibility Summary

Sense and Sensibility (1811) was the first novel published by English writer Jane Austen (1775-1817). She published it anonymously, calling herself "a lady." The novel tells the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who find love after their father dies and they are forced to live with less money. The story has remained popular over time, leading to many film and TV adaptations, including the well-known 1995 movie directed by Ang Lee and starring Emma Thompson, who also wrote the screenplay.

Austen is still widely read today. Besides Sense and Sensibility, she wrote five other novels: Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (written in 1803 but published after her death in 1817), and Persuasion (1817). Her books explore the inner lives of young women and the customs of her time. Austen developed a unique storytelling style that moves between an all-knowing narrator and free indirect discourse, a technique that allows the reader to see the thoughts of the characters while still using third-person narration.

Summary

In late 18th-century England, Henry Dashwood is dying. He makes his son, John, promise to take care of his stepmother and three half-sisters after his death. However, John's wife, Fanny, convinces him not to share much of the family’s wealth. As a result, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters receive only a small inheritance, which lowers their standard of living and makes it harder for them to find good husbands.

The sisters react differently to this change. Mrs. Dashwood and her younger daughter, Marianne, become very emotional, while Elinor, the eldest, stays calm and practical. She makes sure they live within their means, giving up luxuries like carriages. Mrs. Dashwood delays moving to a new home because she sees that Elinor is growing close to Edward Ferrars, Fanny’s brother. Marianne encourages Elinor’s feelings, but Elinor is cautious. She senses that something is holding Edward back and isn’t sure of his true feelings. Fanny notices their attachment and makes it clear that her family expects Edward to marry a wealthy woman.

Offended by Fanny’s attitude, Mrs. Dashwood moves her daughters to Barton Cottage in Devonshire. The cottage is on the estate of Sir John Middleton, a relative. Sir John and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, are very kind and invite the Dashwood sisters to visit their home, Barton Park. There, the sisters meet Colonel Brandon, a 35-year-old friend of the Middletons. Marianne sees him as too old and boring.

Marianne is much more interested in the charming Mr. Willoughby, who rescues her when she falls during a walk. They spend a lot of time together, and people start to think they are secretly engaged. But one day, Willoughby suddenly announces that he is leaving and doesn’t know when he will return. Marianne is heartbroken.

Edward visits the Dashwoods, but his behavior is confusing, and Elinor still isn’t sure about his feelings. Later, at Barton Park, Elinor meets Lucy Steele, a young woman who secretly tells her that she has been engaged to Edward for four years. This news crushes Elinor, but she keeps it to herself to avoid upsetting her family.

Mrs. Jennings invites Elinor and Marianne to spend the winter in London. Marianne is eager to go, hoping to see Willoughby, while Elinor reluctantly agrees to accompany her. In London, Willoughby ignores Marianne and does not reply to her letters. When they see him at a party, he acts coldly towards her. The next day, he sends a letter apologizing for leading her on and reveals that he is engaged to a wealthy woman, Miss Grey. Marianne is devastated and falls into deep sadness.

Colonel Brandon tells Elinor the real reason why Willoughby left. He had seduced and abandoned Colonel Brandon’s young ward, Eliza Williams, who is now pregnant. This news changes Elinor’s view of Willoughby, but Marianne still struggles to accept that he is not the man she thought he was.

Meanwhile, Lucy Steele tries to win the favor of Fanny and Mrs. Ferrars, Edward’s mother, in hopes of securing her future as his wife. But when Fanny finds out about Lucy’s secret engagement to Edward, she throws Lucy out of the house. Since Edward refuses to break off the engagement, his mother disinherits him, giving his fortune to his younger brother, Robert. Edward plans to become a clergyman to support himself. When Colonel Brandon hears about Edward’s situation, he kindly offers him a job as the rector of Delaford, his estate. Elinor delivers this good news to Edward.

On their way home, the Dashwood sisters stop at Cleveland, the estate of the Palmers, Mrs. Jennings’s daughter and son-in-law. While staying there, Marianne takes long walks in the cold and gets dangerously ill. Elinor cares for her while Colonel Brandon rushes to bring their mother. One night, Elinor is shocked when Willoughby arrives, wanting to explain himself. He confesses that he truly loved Marianne but married Miss Grey for her money. Though Elinor feels sorry for him, she still believes he has poor character.

When Mrs. Dashwood arrives and Marianne starts recovering, she tells Elinor that she hopes Marianne will marry Colonel Brandon.

Back at Barton Cottage, Elinor is devastated by a rumor that Edward has married Lucy. However, when Edward arrives, he reveals that Lucy actually married his brother, Robert. Lucy switched her affections to Robert because he was wealthier and better suited to her personality. Edward is relieved to be free and soon proposes to Elinor, who happily accepts. They get married and move to Delaford Parsonage. Eventually, after encouragement from her mother and sister, Marianne agrees to marry Colonel Brandon. Their lives settle into a peaceful and happy existence.