can anybody tell me what the book sense and sensibility is about by Jane Austen?

Question

I read it and i'm completely lost.

Answer 1

The story concerns two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood (Elinor representing "sense" and Marianne "sensibility"). Along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, they are left impoverished after the death of their father, and the family is forced to move to a country cottage, offered to them by a generous relative.

Elinor forms an attachment to the gentle and courteous Edward Ferrars, unaware that he is already secretly engaged. After their move, Marianne meets Willoughby, a dashing young man who leads her into undisciplined behaviour, so that she ignores the attentions of the faithful (but older) Colonel Brandon. The contrast between the sisters' characters is eventually resolved as both find love and lasting happiness.

Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, are impoverished after the death of her husband. His estate, Norland, must pass to John Dashwood, his son from his first marriage. Although John promised his father that he would take care of them, his selfish wife Fanny easily dissuades him from giving them their fair share of the inheritance.

Elinor becomes attached to Fanny's brother Edward Ferrars. Edward is a quiet, unassuming young man who does not aspire to be the "fine figure in the world" his mother and sister wish him to be. Elinor admires his intelligence and good sense. Edward's fortune is dependent on the the will of his mother. Elinor knows that she would not like her son to marry a woman of as low a rank as she is and does not allow herself to hope for marriage.

Uncomfortable in their former home, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters move from Norland to Barton Cottage. Their landlord is Sir John Middleton, who lives in Barton Park. Lady Middleton's mother Mrs. Jennings and Colonel Brandon are staying at Barton Park. Mrs. Jennings, a good-humoured widow, thinks that Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne and teases them both about it. Marianne disregards her because she pities Colonel Brandon as an old bachelor who has no chance of inspiring love in anyone.


A 19th century illustration showing Willoughby cutting a lock of Marianne's hairOn a walk in the countryside, Marianne falls and sprains her ankle. Willoughby, a dashing and handsome man, carries her back to Barton Cottage. Willoughby begins to visit Marianne every day and they become very close. Margaret sees Willoughby cutting a lock of Marianne's hair to keep with him. Elinor overhears him calling Marianne by her first name and assumes that they are secretly engaged. Willoughby leaves abruptly, telling the Dashwoods that he must go to London and will not return for a year. His departure greatly upsets Marianne.

Edward Ferrars comes to stay at Barton Cottage. However he seems unhappy and is distant towards Elinor, and she fears that he no longer has any feelings for her. However, unlike Marianne, she does not wallow in her sadness. Ann and Lucy Steele, cousins of Lady Middleton, come to visit. Sir John tells Lucy that Elinor is attached to Edward. However, Lucy then reveals to Elinor that she (Lucy) has been secretly engaged to Edward for four years. Elinor is overcome with grief, but she keeps it a secret from her family.

Elinor and Marianne spend the winter at Mrs. Jennings' home in London. Marianne writes to Willoughby, but her letters are unanswered. They meet Willoughby at a party, but he is cold and formal with them. He then sends Marianne a letter where he denies ever having loved her and telling her that he is engaged to a Miss Grey, a very wealthy woman. Marianne admits to Elinor that they were not engaged, but that she still loved him. Colonel Brandon reveals to Elinor that Willoughby seduced his foster daughter Miss Williams and abandoned her when she became pregnant. The Colonel was once in love with Miss William's mother, who resembled Marianne in temperament.

Later, Mrs. Jennings tells Elinor that Mrs. Ferrars has discovered Edward and Lucy's engagement. Edward refuses to end the engagement and his mother, furious, disinherits him. Elinor and Marianne feel sorry for Edward, and think him honourable for remaining engaged to a woman he will probably not be happy with. Ann Steele tells Elinor that Lucy still intends to marry Edward. Edward intends to take religious orders so that he can support them. Colonel Brandon offers his parish at Delaford to Edward, although he hardly knows him. Elinor meets Edward's brother Robert and is shocked to discover that he has no qualms about claiming his brother's inheritance.

Marianne becomes very ill after a walk in the rain, and Colonel Brandon goes to get Mrs. Dashwood. Willoughby arrives and tells Elinor that he was left with large debts when his benefactress discovered his actions towards Miss Williams and disinherited him. He then decided to marry a wealthy woman. He says that he still loves Marianne. He seeks forgiveness, but has poor excuses for his selfish actions. Meanwhile, Colonel Brandon reveals his love for Marianne to Mrs. Dashwood.

Marianne recovers and the Dashwoods return to Barton Cottage. Mrs. Dashwood wishes for Marianne to marry the Colonel, but Elinor perceives that Marianne still has a lack of regard for him. They learn that Mr. Ferrars has married. Mrs. Dashwood realises how strong Elinor's feelings for Edward are and is sorry that she did not pay more attention to her unhappiness.

However, the next day Edward arrives and reveals that it was his brother who married Lucy. He says that he was trapped in his engagement with Lucy, "a woman he had long since ceased to love," but that she had broken the engagement to marry the now wealthy Robert. Edward asks Elinor to marry him, and she agrees. Edward reconciles with his mother, and she gives him ten thousand pounds, enough for them to live comfortably. They marry and move into the parsonage at Delaford.

Over the next two years, Mrs. Dashwood, Marianne and Margaret spend most of their time at Delaford. Marianne matures and decides to marry Colonel Brandon. They marry and live close to Elinor and Edward.

Thank you Wikipedia.

Answer 2

I don't remember it being confusing at all...maybe the customs and culture is outdated and that is what is so confusing to you. But the book is about many things....appearances can be deceiving, intentions can be misread...but here is a site that should answer all your questions:

http://www.answers.com/topic/sense-and-sensibility

Answer 3

Go to sparknotes.com, specifically http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/index_s.html. Download and read their much shorter version.

Answer 4

no way ... I have'nt read it in a long while so i cant really explain it but I know its about ...... making right decisions