Sense and Sensibility: Illustrated and annotated

Sense and Sensibility: Illustrated and annotated

*Sense and Sensibility* is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1811. It follows the lives and romantic entanglements of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate societal expectations, love, and financial challenges in 19th-century England. The two sisters are contrasting characters: Elinor, the elder, is guided by sense—rationality, restraint, and duty—while Marianne is driven by sensibility, meaning passion, emotion, and impulsiveness. The plot focuses on their different approaches to life and love, especially after their father dies, leaving the family in reduced circumstances. The story revolves around their relationships with men of varying temperaments and social status, notably Edward Ferrars, John Willoughby, and Colonel Brandon. As they experience heartbreak and joy, the sisters learn to balance their respective qualities of sense and sensibility. Elinor’s emotional strength and Marianne’s eventual realization of the value of prudence highlight the novel’s themes of personal growth and the tension between reason and emotion. Austen's witty critique of social norms, especially marriage and wealth, runs throughout the novel, making *Sense and Sensibility* a powerful reflection on the choices women had in the Regency era.