Reason and Emotion

Author: Wang Ruoping et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Sense and Sensibility primarily revolves around the intricate emotional experiences of its two female protagonists. As the title suggests, the two sisters—Elinor, the elder, and Marianne, the younger—possess vastly different personalities: one is rational, the other emotional. The general plot of the novel is as follows: Mr. Dashwood had one son, John, from his first wife, and three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, from his second wife. After Mr. Dashwood's death, the estate was left to his son, leaving the three daughters with virtually nothing. However, on his deathbed, he requested his son to take good care of his stepmother and sisters, which John agreed to. Yet, John's wife, Fanny, strongly opposed her husband helping them and was quite unfriendly toward them. As a result, after staying at Norland Park, the Dashwood family moved to Barton Cottage. This cottage was rented to them by a kind uncle of Mrs. Dashwood, John Middleton. There, they began a new life. Mr. Middleton was very hospitable and often invited the Dashwood sisters to various social gatherings. Through these events, they gradually met people such as Mrs. Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, Colonel Brandon, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, and the Steels.
As early as Norland Park, Elinor and Edward—John's sister-in-law's brother—began to develop feelings for each other. After Elinor moved to Barton Cottage, Edward visited her two weeks later. They grew deeply in love, though their relationship was not passionate but rather gentle and steady. Unlike her sister, Marianne, who shed many tears in the pursuit of love, Elinor remained more composed. Sense and Sensibility is one of Jane Austen's works rich in humor. The novel follows the twists and turns of the two protagonists' complex marriages, using the humorous contrast between "sense and sensibility" to explore issues of morality and behavior.
Famous filmmaker Lindsay Davis said: Sense and Sensibility is her most beloved book. It has all the qualities to be adapted into a great film: outstanding, vivid characters, a powerful and moving love story, surprising plot twists, humorous jokes, an appropriate theme, and a gripping, suspenseful ending. The film was a huge success, winning the 1996 Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay, Best Picture, and the 68th Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Sense and Sensibility features several witty and dramatic scenes that have long been praised by critics as Jane Austen's masterful satirical chapters. In Chapter 2, John and Fanny Dashwood discuss whether to help their stepmother and three sisters. One argues stubbornly, while the other blindly obeys, and in just a short conversation, the cold, selfish nature of these two misers is vividly portrayed. In Chapter 34, the couple unusually hosts a dinner for the Middletons, where "there was no other poverty except in talk," and the author skillfully exposes the weaknesses of nearly all the female characters in just two minor topics.