Sense And Sensibility Summary

Sense & Sensibility Summary February 2, 2018, Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility begins in Norland Park. This is where Mr. Dashwood just passed away, and has left his fortune for this nephew, John Dashwood. Fanny Ferrars (John Dashwood) looks down on Mrs. Dashwood as well as her three daughters Elinore, Marianne and Margaret despite the promise he made to his father, John Dashwood.

Mrs. Dashwood’s cousin Sir John offers her a place at Barton Cottage. Elinor feels for Edward, Fanny’s brother but she is reluctant to share her feelings with him. Colonel Brandon is Sir John’s friend. Marianne falls in love, but feels too old to love him. Marianne does find love with Willoughby. Willoughby takes Marianne home when she twists the ankle on a rainy night. They publicly declare their love until Willoughby leaves for London, leaving Marianne behind. Elinor learns from Lucy Steele that Edward has secretly engaged Lucy Dashwood’s daughters. Elinor keeps Edward and Lucy’s relationship secret and doesn’t tell anyone until it becomes public. Edward’s mother, frustrated, decides to leave her inheritance to Robert. Marianne meets Willoughby at a London party, and he denies that he ever fell in love with her. In addition, she learns that Willoughby is in a relationship with Ms. Grey. This is especially for the money and fortune. Marianne discovers that Willoughby was engaged to another woman. Marianne decides to return home. Marianne falls ill in Cleveland and Willoughby visits to tell Elinor that he still love Marianne, but that he has to marry her for her money. Marianne feels more at ease knowing that Willoughby did not abandon her for not loving her. Barton Cottage’s daughters discover that Lucy Steele is engaged to Mr. Ferrars. Elinor believes that Mr. Ferrars means Edward. However, Edward arrives at Barton and tells Elinor about Lucy’s true love, Robert. This happened after Mrs. Ferrars had given her inheritance to Edward. Edward proposes and Elinor accepts, despite being no longer engaged. Soon after, Colonel Brandon proposes to Marianne. Together they move into Delaford. Despite all the misunderstandings, secret engagements, and sex disputes that prevented these relationships from developing throughout the novel, Edward, Elinor, and Marianne live happily together and maintain close relationships with the Dashwood family.