The Realities of Wealth in Sense and Sensibility

A life in which pleasure can only be derived from fiscal security ends only in despair. John Willoughby is a prime example of the misfortune that can arise from doting on fortune. He even admits to Elinor that he sacrificed the thing he loved the most, Marianne, to “‘avoid a comparative poverty’” that marrying into the Dashwood family would bring upon him. Because he has “‘always been expensive, always in the habit of associating with people of better income’” than himself, Willoughby leaves himself no other choice than to marry a woman of fortune, Miss Grey, as it turns out.  His unfortunate fate is emphasized by the fact that the woman he ends up marrying for money acts in the same way money does – she controls him. This is evidenced in Willoughby’s admission to Elinor at Cleveland; the soon to be Mrs. Willoughby makes her fiancée “‘servilely’” take down a dictated letter to Marianne against his will and Willoughby goes on to inform Elinor that though it pained him to do it, “‘in honest words, her money was necessary to [him], and in a situation like [his], any thing was to be done to prevent a rupture’


Furthermore, Fanny Dashwood's breakdown upon hearing her brother was marrying someone of lesser status is another way in which Austen seems to be subtly chuckling at the karma-like outcome of being obsessed with money. Characters like Fanny and Willoughby are foils to point out the great and frugal ways of Edward Ferrars. Without the spendthrift ways of the others, Edward would not seem as wise and good as he is meant to be portrayed by Austen.