Austen teaches the reader in Sense and Sensibility, "to see what is really there and not what one wishes to see".(Blackwell 115)
Many characters underline the contribution to the theme of expectation versus reality. These characters often "misuse evidence in unexpected ways,"(Blackwell 121) through situations or characters.
Edward Ferrars plays a small role to this theme. Lucy Steele expects to marry him, but little does she know, he is in love with Elinor. Edward was only engaged with Lucy because of money and his mother, but he loved Elinor. Edwards' mother had a "resolution that both her sons should marry" (Austen 23). It seems that she would want her sons to marry for love but that isnt the case, she wants them to marry for money.
Another character that plays a small role in the theme is Lucy Steele.Of course, she expected to marry Edward but after she found out his situation with Elinor they called the wedding off, and she actually married Edwards' brother Robert. Also, a situation with Lucy was when she seemed very happy to learn about the Colonels offer of the parsonage. But in reality, she couldn’t "restrain her selfish interests even towards someone who just helped her out."(Bookrags 26)
Mrs. Jennings is a character that showed to be very gossipy, nosey, and always "said witty things on the subject of lovers".(Austen 34) Although, Mrs. Jennings is what she appears, her intentions are good. She "missed no opportunity of projecting weddings among the young people".(Austen 36) The expectation was not that she tried to put people together but it seemed as though she knew when two would be together. For example, it was only alittle while after Marianne and Colonel Brandon met and Mrs. Jennings told Elinor that they would be married by the Spring and they were.
Colonel Brandon portrays a character as always being rational and having sense.His appearance comes off as being "silent and grave".( ) As Colonel is having a conversation with Elinor she see's a "different character", that portrays a "highly developed sensibility."( )His sensibility comes into action when he elopes with Eliza and when he duels with Willouby because of Marianne sensibility side of the Colonel isn’t expected.
Elinor Dashwood is also a character of rationality and sense.When Elinor is sitting with Marianne and Edward, "Marianne causially asks Edward about the hair in his ring".( Southward770) Elinor knew "that hair was of her own and she instantoneously felt satisfied."(Ehrenpreis 121) Although Elinor is mostly sense she does show a side of sensibility. When Marianne is sick, "her breath, her skin, her lips all flattered" her. When Marinas eyes fixed upon her, see overcame with "confidence, comfort, and tears of joy."(Austen 303) Elinors sensibility also shows when Edward asks her to marry him. The shock of him not marrying Lucy was enough to send her into to tears, but as Edward proposed she couldn’t hold her emotions in any longer.
Marianne Dashwood plays a bigger role to the theme. Marianne sets forth to be the most irrational character throughout the novel. Marianne acts on what she feels, she doesn’t considering things first. For example, Willouby gives her a horse and without even considering, she excepted and expected to keep it. When she told Elinor, Elinor made her realize that taking care of a horse is a big responsibility.
Marianne also misjudges different characters for being Willouby. She misconstrues Edward Ferrars for being Willouby.
"It is he:it is indeed: I know it is" and as he turned "abruptly around, her heart sank."(Austen 85) Another instance is when someone knocks on their door .As the door opened Marianne "seemed almost ready to throw herself in his arms when Colonel Brandon walked in." It was too much of a shock for her and she immediately left the room.(Austen 155)
Another role that Marianne plays to the theme is when she expects to be the complete opposite to Colonel Brandon. Yet, he had "just the history that would fascinate her."Marianne would’ve never expected to marry Colonel Brandon in the beginning but since it did happen "she finally marries a man after her own heart." (Ehrenpreis 128)
"Sense and Sensibility is forever haunted by John Willouby whose own reflections,"(Kaufman 390)go back on him when Marianne married Colonel Brandon. At the beginning Willouby seems to be this amazing guy, who always treated everyone right. But when "Willouby unexpected gives Marianne a brush off in London"(Southward 776) Willoubys character goes from caring to deceitful. After the incident in London, Marianne finds out that Willouby wasn’t even available. In fact, Willouby was supposed to marry Miss. Grey only for her money.
2006-10-30
16:06:53
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sweet18apparatus
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