A Book Report on Sense and Sensibility Author : Jane Austen Alma Fadhilla 16/399697/SA/18605 August 7, 2017. Bibliography Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. Hertfordshire : Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1992. Print. I. Theme The story in Sense and Sensibility is build by many themes which make the story becomes more interesting. Sense and Sensibility shows us about the importance of social class. For example, it can be seen in the part when Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters have to move out from Norland and downgraded their social status because the hierarchical system that makes John Dashwood as the major heir of Mr. Henry Dashwood’s wealth. Love and Gender are also intense themes in this story. Jane Austen describes as if Men are the one who can rules and do anything meanwhile Women cannot own properties and have only limited choices in their life. And Love plays significant roles as the aftermath of the problems experienced by characters in this story, especially Elinor and Marianne. II. Setting The story itself mainly taking place in three locations which are Norland Park, Barton Park, and Cleveland in early of 19th century, around 1800 to 1810. The Dashwood Sisters, Elinor and Marianne also ever visit London for a while, the place where Marianne experienced the deepest broken heart in her life. All of the locations mentioned in Sense and Sensibility are likely to be imaginary places except the name of the town such as Devonshire and London. III. Main Characters 1. Elinor Dashwood Elinor Dashwood is the first daughter of Mrs. Dashwood and Mr. Henry Dashwood. She is a wise and practical 19-year-old girl. Elinor is calmer than Marianne and the best in self-control, even though the situation is breath taking for her but she still shows the calm and moderate expression. She seems cautious on her own behavior. 2. Marianne Dashwood Marianne is the second daughter of Dashwood Family, two years younger than Elinor. Different from her sister, she is far from practical and always sentimental, she is all about passion. Compared to Elinor, Marianne is not really good at controlling herself. It can be seen from her severe depression when she knows that she cannot marry Willoughby. 3. Edward Ferrars Edward Ferrars is likely to be the kindest Ferrars in his family. He seems so friendly and sweet towards other people and that’s the reason why the Dashwoods are all comfortable around him, even the oldest daughter is easily attached with his kindness. 4. Colonel Brandon Colonel Brandon appears as Mr. John Middleton’s friend. He is a faithful 35-year-old bachelor. Praise always comes from people around him because they see him as a very helpful person. But, Marianne’s first impression of him is not really good. Marianne saw him as dull and unromantic old bachelor. Fortunately, at the end of the story Marianne can see his sincerity and affectionate towards here. 5. John Willoughby Willoughby is an attractive young man who is romantic and daring. He is greatly attracted to Marianne and pay big attention on her. But, he is no more than a coward. He makes fun and malicious comment on Colonel Brandon also eventually leave Marianne for greed and without any explanation. IV. Plot The story begins when Mr. John Dashwood and his wife, Fanny, comes to Norland Park to take over the ownership of the house from his step family, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters, as he is the major heir of his father’s wealth. The situation becomes worse when Fanny treats Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters as unwelcomed guest rather than family. Barely stand with that treatment, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters move out to a cottage owned by their cousin, Mr. John Middleton, in Barton Park, Devonshire, even though Elinor, the oldest daughter of the Dashwood, already felt such a close attachment with Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars who stayed with them in Norland Park. Leaving Norland Park ( also Edward Ferrars ) to Barton Park, the Dashwood start to begin their new life. In which they meet new people, one of them is Colonel Brandon who is attracted to Marianne Dashwood’s charm. Unfortunately Marianne does not feel the same feelings with Colonel Brandon. Instead, she is falling in love with a romantic guy who saves her from an accident happened in their early days living in Barton Park. That guy’s name is John Willoughby. In Barton Park, Everyday Marianne spends her lovely day with Willoughby meanwhile Elinor is holding on her feelings and onging towards Edward. Suddenly, Willoughby leaves to London, leaving Marianne in despair. But later, Edward Ferrars finally visit the Dashwood along with a friend and stay for a week, at least giving everyone a great time including Marianne who is sad because of Willoughby. After that, a newcomer, Lucy Steele, confessed to Elinor that she has been secretly engaged with Edward Ferrars. In this sad situation, both sisters are taken to London by Mrs. Jennings to accompany her. Marianne hoping to see Willoughby there meanwhile Elinor does not want to meet Edward. In London, Willoughby dumped Marianne and Colonel Brandon brings a bad news that actually Willoughby will be married with someone else. Marianne eventually fails ill and continue her life in miserable, fortunately Colonel Brandon always stay beside her until she recovered. Then another bad thing happened to the Dashwood, Elinor heard that “Mr. Ferrars” is married to Lucy Steele. But it’s actually a misunderstanding, the one who is married to Lucy Steele is not Edward Ferrars but his brother, Robert Ferrars. After all, both sisters get their happiness. Elinor gets to be with Edward, and Marianne learned to love Colonel Brandon before them both eventually get married. V. Turning Point The problem of this story is started when the Dashwood have to move out from Norland Park and live in a very modest way in countryside. Their social status also dropped along with their wealth. Another obstacle come to their life, Elinor the oldest daughter must accept reality that the man she loves is engaged with someone else. Meanwhile the second daughter, Marianne, is given false hope by love of her life and eventually being left. Both Dashwood sisters are dumped in their love life. Elinor endured her pain by herself until she received false news about Edward’s marriage, she was bawling with the other Dashwood at that time. For Marianne, after the incident with Willoughby, she becomes dangerously ill and her life was right in front of the death, and here Colonel Brandon’s companion plays important role on the changes of her love life. At the end, both Elinor and Marianne have the happy ending and live happily with their true loves. VI. Tone Jane Austen tries to deliver her story as realistic as possible. She describes her characters and their surroundings in detail that we will get to feel the character’s situation. Also it is light and kind of humorous and romantic. VII. Atmosphere Jane Austen really matches the story with the settings. For example, when the Dashwood move from Norland to Barton, it clearly shows the downgrade of Dashwood’s social status. They move from a luxurious estate to simple cottage in country yard, or when Marianne meets Willoughby and Sophia at the ball, we know that usually only the rich who invited to the ball. It is good to build the Sophia’s character as rich woman.
