Reason and Emotion - A Stairway to the English Free Realm - (A 5000-word Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader) (English-Chinese Contrastive Version) (14)

Author: Wang Ruoping
Publisher:
Publish 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 and Marianne—possess vastly different personalities: one is rational, the other emotional. The general plot 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 his death, he left his inheritance to his son, leaving the three daughters with almost nothing. However, he requested that his son take good care of his stepmother and sisters, which John agreed to. Yet, John’s wife, Fanny, strongly opposed him helping them and was quite unfriendly toward them. As a result, after staying at Norland Park for a while, the mother and daughters moved to Barton Cottage. This cottage was rented to them by a kind, well-meaning 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 like Mrs. Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, Colonel Brandon, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, and the Steele sisters.
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 fell in love, but their relationship was not passionate; it was rather mild and quiet. Unlike her sister, Marianne shed many tears in her pursuit of love.
Sense and Sensibility is one of Jane Austen’s works rich in humor. The novel follows the twists and turns of the two heroines’ complex marriages, using the humorous contrast between "sense and sensibility" to explore issues of morality and behavior. Film producer Lindsay Darlan said: Sense and Sensibility is her favorite book. It has all the qualities needed to be adapted into a great film: outstanding, vivid characters, a powerful and moving love story, surprising twists, humorous jokes, a fitting theme, and a thrilling, gripping ending. The film was a huge success and won several honors, including the 1996 Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay and Best Picture, as well as the 68th Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Sense and Sensibility contains several witty, dramatic scenes that have long been praised by critics and are considered Jane Austen’s masterful satirical chapters. In Chapter 2, Mr. and Mrs. 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 images of two misers are vividly portrayed. In Chapter 34, the couple unusually hosts a dinner for the Middletons, where "there was no poverty except in talk," and the author skillfully exposes the weaknesses of almost all the female characters in just two minor topics.