Sensibility!

Having just read two works in epistolary form, the omniscient narrative of Sense and Sensibility is a welcome change. I loved how in the very first pages, Austen gives the reader straightforward characterizations of the principal actors. I didn't have to figure out that Fanny was narrow-minded and selfish – Austen told me! Elinor “possessed a strength of understanding and coolness of judgment;” Marianne is “eager in everything;” and Edward although shy, bears an “open, affectionate heart.”

Form stuff aside, I want to talk about Marianne. I have also read this book before and like Kate, I had a stereotypical image of Marianne, as the spirited, and sometimes silly younger sister that matures throughout the novel. I guess I thought her opinions on love and passion for Willoughby were ridiculously embarrassing. But this time around, I am finding traits in Marianne that really stand out to me, and make me like her so much as a female character. Her passionate nature is responsible for her pursuing Willoughby – aka going after what she wants. Even though Willoughby will prove himself worthless, Marianne is fiery enough to try and get what she wants, and I like that. It’s sort of how I felt about Lady Susan – although her character was far more wanting – still, she at least tried to determine her own future when women were virtually powerless. And I think Marianne’s sensibility is in some ways allows her to circumvent some of the constraints of society (simply because she doesn't have the sense to care…). I think if Elinor possessed a little of Marianne’s sensibility, she might have been happily married to Edward by the end of chapter 4.