This debut publication of Jane Austen is, in my opinion, a complete book in itself, an excellent introduction to the world of Jane Austen. The dramatic quality of the work was such that the actions of the characters and the wealth of emotions they produced were astonishing. The reading experience was highly satisfying and rewarding, for it was more than mere reading; I lived it.
The story revolves around the lives, loves, desires, longings, and characters of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor is kind, sensible, and devoted, with rare strength and fortitude. Marianne, on the other hand, though equally kind and devoted like Elinor, is impulsive, emotional, and opinionated. The popular and accepted character interpretation of Elinor and Marianne is that the former represents sense and the latter, sensibility. However, I doubt whether such a strict distinction is possible. It wouldn’t be fair to say that Elinor is neither sensible, nor Marianne has any sense. I believe the distinction lies in the degree.
The main element of the story is the love interests of Elinor and Marianne. Elinor’s and Edward’s attachment was subtly presented, similar to the one later developed between Colonel Brandon and Marianne. This was quite a contrast from Marianne’s and Willoughby’s spirited and somewhat imprudent courtship. However, Sense and Sensibility is more than a love story. It addresses many deeper issues, such as vanity, self-realization, class difference, and human nature. Jane Austen is well-known for her social criticism of the Regency period and her brilliance in human observation.
Austen’s hero in Sense and Sensibility is not a dashing young man but a mature man nearing his prime. It was a bit of an unusual choice, considering some of the later choices she made. Nevertheless, no reader can fail to love and admire Colonel Brandon – a kind-hearted, sensible, and benevolent man with an unhappy past, a man who has suffered, a man who can both sympathize and empathize. He was an excellent choice for a hero, and I highly commend Austen for her choice.
The rest of the characters who set the story in motion have the usual Austen flavour. The oppressed and misunderstood Edward, naive mother Dashwood, the silly but kind Mrs. Jennings and son-in-law Sir John, the prim and proper Lady Middleton, the greedy, the selfish lot of Willoughby, John and Fanny Dashwood, the artful Lucy Steel, the vain Robert Ferrars, and the despot Mrs. Ferrars provided so varied a contrast to keep the readers fully absorbed in the novel.
Jane Austen’s beautiful language, witty and humorous writing, and the engaging flow made the reading so enjoyable. I love her amazing ability of drawing you into the story and making you part of it. Her characters are so real that the good ones become your friends while the bad ones become your enemies 🙂 I think this element of realism is one of the strongest reasons for the popularity of her works over the years.
Rating: 5/5
