At the heart of Jane Austen’s 1811 novel, Sense and Sensibility, appears the story of two sisters: Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Following the death of their father, the oldest sister, Elinor, and middle sister, Marianne, along with their youngest sister and mother, must leave their home at Norland Park. At the invitation of a relatvie, Sir John Middleton, the Dashwood family moves into their new home: Barton cottage. Together, Elinor and Marianne make new acquaintances. The sisters become familiar with their new neighbors, Sir John Middleton and his wife Lady Middleton. They meet Lady Middleton’s mother and frequent guest, Mrs. Jennings, relatives, Anne and Lucy Steele, and the Middletons’ family friend, Colonel Brandon. Elinor becomes attached to Mr. Edward Ferrars, and Marianne becomes enamored with Mr. John Willoughby. As they meet different people, including older ladies, girls their own age, and young men, Elinor endeavors to manage her younger sister Marianne’s behavior in society. While Marianne allows her emotions to dictate her behavior, regardless of propriety, Elinor consistently attempts to soften the effects of Marianne’s absences, silences, and outbursts.

Elinor Excuses Marianne

Marianne abruptly leaves or does not appear at all in various social situations where other people expect her, which compels Elinor to entertain people herself, and to make excuses for her sister. At Lady Middleton’s home one day, the hostess suggests they play a game of cards. Marianne flatly refuses, and goes to play the piano instead. Elinor sees that Marianne’s rejection offends Lady Middleton, and she tries to explain to Lady Middleton: “‘Marianne can never keep long from that instrument you know, ma’am…and I do not much wonder at it; for it is the very best toned piano-forte I ever heard.’” (p. 150). Elinor stresses Marianne’s great love for the piano in an attempt to lessen Marianne’s insult to Lady Middleton. Elinor also tries to compliment Lady Middleton as she highlights the quality of Lady Middleton’s piano specifically. When Elinor and Marianne come to London with Mrs. Jennings, Colonel Brandon visits them almost immediately after their arrival. Colonel Brandon knocks at the door, and Marianne, sure that their visitor must be her beloved Mr. Willoughby, cannot conceal her surprise and disappointment to see Colonel Brandon. Upon Colonel Brandon’s entrance, Marianne leaves the room. Colonel Brandon asks if Marianne is ill and “Elinor answered in some distress that [Marianne] was [ill], and then talked of headaches, low spirits, and over fatigues; and of everything to which she could decently attribute her sister’s behavior” (p. 168). Elinor regrets Marianne’s unfriendly behavior, and feels badly for the abandoned Colonel Brandon. Elinor remains with Colonel Brandon and tries to give him every excuse she can think of for Marianne’s hurtful and sudden exit. Some weeks later, Marianne is heartbroken over Mr. Willoughby and struggles to meet social expectations. Mariane again leaves the room when guests (the Steele sisters) arrive. Lucy Steele tells Elinor she is sorry she cannot see Marianne, and sorry that Marianne is unwell. Elinor says to Lucy: “You are very good. My sister will be equally sorry to miss the pleasure of seeing you; but she has been very much plagued lately with nervous headaches, which make her unfit for company or conversation” (p. 227). Neither Elinor nor Marianne wants to talk to Lucy, but Elinor feels obliged to engage in socially expected conversation. Elinor responds politely to Lucy, and explains that Marianne cannot receive visitors at the moment. Elinor makes excuses for her younger sister to Lady Middleton, Colonel Brandon, and Lucy Steele in an attempt to smooth over what she sees as Marianne’s awkward absences.

Elinor Speaks for Marianne

Other times, Marianne does not leave a social situation, but remains noticeably silent, in which cases Elinor also speaks on Marianne’s behalf. During one visit with the Steele sisters, Lucy Steele compliments Lady Middleton, and “Marianne was silent; it was impossible for her to say what she did not feel, however trivial the occasion; and upon Elinor therefore the whole task of telling lies when politeness required it, always fell” (p. 130). Elinor notices that Marianne does not respond to Lucy’s compliment of Lady Middleton. As she believes that Lucy’s observation requires a response, Elinor decides to take responsibility for the continuation of the conversation. She agrees with Lucy’s compliment and offers her own kind words about Lady Middleton as well. When Mrs. Jennings first invites Elinor and Marianne to accompany her to London, Elinor initially declines the invitation because she knows that neither she nor Marianne want to spend so much time with Mrs. Jennings. The sisters ultimately accept solely because of Marianne’s eagerness to be in town. During the carriage journey, however, Marianne remains silent and inattentive to their companion, Mrs. Jennings. Thus, “To atone for [Marianne’s] conduct therefore, Elinor took immediate possession of the post of civility which she had assigned herself, behaved with the greatest attention to Mrs. Jennings, talked with her, laughed with her, and listened whenever she could…” (p. 166). Elinor notices Marianne’s detachment, and feels that she must compensate for Marianne’s rude behavior. Elinor engages with Mrs. Jennings because she knows that Mrs. Jennings, as the sisters’ generous hostess, deserves the basic respect of conversation. In London, Mrs. Jennings learns of Marianne’s broken heart, and wants to show Marianne her support. At dinner that evening, Marianne sits at the table silently, and almost comatose in her despair while Mrs. Jennings tries to cheer her. While Marianne does not say a word, “Elinor, who did justice to Mrs. Jennings’s kindness, though its effusions were often distressing, and sometimes almost ridiculous, made her those acknowledgements, and returned her those civilities, which her sister could not make or return for herself” (p. 200). Mrs. Jennings sincerely wants to comfort Marianne, but Marianne remains unresponsive. Instead, Elinor must acknowledge Mrs. Jennings’s kindness. When Marianne remains silent in situations that beg a response, Elinor takes control and says what she believes to be appropriate.

Elinor Corrects Marianne

Even when Marianne remains present, and does speak, Marianne’s words do not always meet Elinor’s standards of conduct. One day, Mr. Willoughby claims that nobody cares about Colonel Brandon, and that nobody remembers to talk to him. Marianne agrees completely. Elinor reprimands her sister and Mr. Willoughby; she says to them: “Do not boast of it, however…for it is injustice in both of you. [Colonel Brandon] is highly esteemed by all the family at the park, and I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with him” (p. 56). Elinor does not approve of Mr. Willoughby and Marianne’s harsh words against Colonel Brandon. She urges them not to speak badly of Colonel Brandon, and reminds them that Colonel Brandon is a great friend of the Middletons. Furthermore, Elinor counters their claim when she says that she does talk to Colonel Brandon. Mr. Ferrars comes to visit the Dashwoods at Barton Cottage and asks them if they like their neighborhood, and the Middletons. Marianne tells Mr. Ferrars no, and Elinor quickly chides her. Elinor says: “Marianne, how can you say so? How can you be so unjust? They are a very respectable family, Mr. Ferrars; and towards us have behaved in the friendliest manner. Have you forgotten, Marianne, how many pleasant days we have owed to them?” (p. 97). Elinor insists that Marianne must not unfairly insult the Middletons. She tells Mr. Ferrars that her sister is mistaken. Elinor reminds Marianne that their family should express gratitude for the Middletons. At a party in London, Marianne suddenly exclaims when she sees her favorite, Mr. Willoughby. Elinor begs her sister: “Pray, pray be composed…and do not betray what you feel to everybody present…No, my dearest Marianne, you must wait. This is not the place for explanations. Wait only till tomorrow” (pp. 182, 184). After much time apart with no word, Marianne wants to speak to Mr. Willoughby directly. Elinor fears that Marianne’s excitement to see Mr. Willoughby, obvious for everyone to witness, is inappropriate. To save Marianne from public humiliation, Elinor presses Marianne to restrain herself at the party. Several times in the company of others, such as Mr. Willoughby, Mr. Ferrars, or in a room full of party goers, Elinor disapproves of Marianne’s professions, and tries to correct her.

Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they cope with the death of their father, travel to new places, meet differnet people, and fall in love. The focus remains, however, on the relationship between the two sisters. Specifically, author Jane Austen illustrates how much Elinor, as the older sister, concerns herself with her younger sister, Marianne. Marianne frequently behaves exactly as she feels, regardless of what society expects of her. Elinor, conversely, generally tries to control her emotions more, and tries to behave in a way that is both socially acceptable and respectful of others. In Elinor’s mission to check her emotions, and remain calm and respectful at all times, she also tries to keep her sister calm and respectable at all times. Elinor’s endeavor to protect Marianne in public consumes much of Elinor’s thoughts and words.

References

Austen, J. (2012). Sense and sensibility. HarperPerennial Classics. (Original work published 1811).