You want nothing but patience – or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.
Mrs Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
This is a line of Sense and Sensibility, the first novel Jane wrote in her teens and the first to be published.
The Novel
The novel is probably set between 1792 and 1797 and follows the Dashwood sisters and their widowed mother as they are forced to leave the family home in Sussex after their father dies. The cottage is inherited by John Dashwood, a son from a previous marriage and the Dashwood sisters have to leave. A distant relative offers them a cottage, and they move to Devon. The two eldest girls experience love and heartbreak, one with practical good sense and the other sensitive and emotional.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Sense and Sensibility
1. sense and sensibility had started life as a story about two sisters who wrote letters to each.
Jane’s first full length novel was originally known as Elinor and Marianne. She had written the early draft in epistolary format, which is totally in letter format. She had to change it later as the sisters always had to be apart. Women who wrote novels during the 18th century often called the books with the same name as their heroines.
Cassandra recalls Jane reading this novel to her family some 15 years prior to the publishing of Sense and Sensibility, although it’s unclear how much the novel changed in the intervening period.
2. Jane was never known as the author outside her close family.
The novel was published on October 1811. All of Jane’s novels were published anonymously, including this novel which was simply titled By A Lady.
3. jane had to fund the publishing costs herself, and is one of the first self-published authors
Thomas Egerton was affiliated with the Military Library, and due to Henry’s military connections, agreed to publish Sense and Sensibility on commission. She reportedly paid more than a third of her household income for publishing and distribution, which probably came from Henry and Eliza.
4. jane was still receiving royalties the year she died.
Jane wrote to Frank in April 1813. ‘You will be glad to hear that every Copy of S&S is sold.’ The first print run, which consisted of around 750-1000 copies completely sold out within two years, making Jane a handsome profit of £140. She was still receiving royalties in March 1817, the year of her death.
5. it took emma thomson five years to write the screenplay
Emma Thompson took five years to develop the screenplay for 1995’s big screen adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Her work paid off though, as it earned her an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, along with a nomination for Best Actress. Emma remains the only person to win an Oscar for both screenwriting and acting.
6. la sense and sensibility
The first French translation of Sense and Sensibility was written by Madame Isabelle de Montoliue, who had only a basic grasp of the English language. As such, this translation followed Jane’s original story only very loosely with key lines and even whole scenes changed.
7. jane is the same age as elinor dashwood
Jane was the same age as Elinor Dashwood in the novel, and those who compare the two heroines to Cassandra and Jane, will probably choose Cassandra to be the sensible Elinor! One biographer argues that the character of Marianne Dashwood is based on Jane’s own personality (Park Honan. Jane Austen: Her Life).
8. The novel wasn’t published until 1811
The novel was published 14 years after its first draft in August 1797 when Jane was 36 years old. Even when Egerton agreed it publish and Jane submitted the novel, it took almost a year for her to see it in print.
9. although the novel is light, jane shares negatives views on women, age and marriage
“A woman of seven and twenty,” said Marianne, after pausing a moment, “can never hope to feel or inspire affection again, and if her home is uncomfortable, or her fortune small, I can suppose that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse, for the sake of the provision and security of a wife. In his marrying such a woman therefore there would be nothing unsuitable. It would be a compact of convenience, and the world would be satisfied. In my eyes, it would be no marriage at all, but that would be nothing. To me, it would seem only a commercial exchange, in which each wished to be benefited at the expense of the other.”
10. the novel received positive reviews
It was well-received by the public upon its release, and was regarded as having a realistic, “highly pleasing and interesting” plot with “naturally drawn” characters. The Critical Review praised the novel for its characters and for offering an “excellent” and useful moral. Overall, Elinor and her mother are praised, while Marianne’s extreme sensibility is seen as bringing unhappiness on herself!
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY QUIZ
- What keeps Elinor and Edward apart?
A – Marianne objects to their union.
B – Elinor says he is too poor, so Edward goes away to seek his fortune.
C – Mrs Dashwood acceptance of a move to Barton in Devon.
D – Edward goes to Cambridge university. - What are Marianne’s first impressions of Brandon?
A – Dashing and handsome.
B – Old and jaded.
C – Young and immature.
D – Rude and impolite. - What injury does Marianne suffer when on a walk with Margaret?
A – Shall falls into the sea.
B – Her hair gets tangled in a branch.
C – She twisted her ankle.
D – She bumps her head. - Who is Jane writing about in Sense and Sensibility? “They were partners for half the time; and when obliged to separate for a couple of dances, were careful to stand together and scarcely spoke a word to any body else.”
A – Willoughby and Marianne.
B – Elinor and Edward.
C – John Dashwood and his wife.
D – Edward and Marianne. - What does Willoughby do that makes Marianne think they are engaged?
A – He gives her a portrait of himself.
B – He takes her to his house.
C – He talks about having children.
D – He cuts a lock of her hair. - How is John Dashwood related to Elinor and Marianne?
A – Half-brother.
B – Cousin.
C – Uncle.
D – Nephew. - What extravagant gift does Willoughby give Marianne?
A – A carriage.
B – A brooch.
C – A horse.
D – An ivory comb. - What is the name of the house that Sir John and Lady Middleton live in?
A – Longbourne.
B – Barton Park.
C – Kellynch Hall.
D – Clayton Park.
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