Resumo de Sense And Sensibility

Though Jane Austen?s novels represented the Augustan culture, yet they seem to be topical. Though relentlessly insistent on emotional bonding amongst family members and rational behaviour in society yet the author does not balk from exposing the greed of certain members of the same family. Firmly entrenched in social values and familial ties Sense and Sensibility shows that the familial affections can be under siege especially when it concerns sharing wealth and love. The differences come in when there is a clash between senses and sensibility, i.e. emotions versus practicality. But its always happy ending to show that ultimate victor is honesty and love. These norms for happiness are still in vogue and not outdated. We still belief in family ties and expect our children to understand that happiness is achieved through right conduct. The setting of Sense and Sensibility is typical English countryside-Sussex- and it is a typical family where girls are not considered heir apparent. Male heirs inherit the estates and females are left dependent on them for roof over their head as well as money.
Mrs Henry Dashwood and her daughters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret are left with nearly no money when her husband dies. ?His will read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure...no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision by any charge on the estate ... tied up for the benefit of this child and as mark of affection for the three girls he left them a thousand ponds apiece?.?This child? is the son of male offspring- John Dashwood from previous marriage. The daughter-in-law does not allow her husband to help his stepmother or stepsister. As fate would have it the eldest daughter Elinor falls in love with the brother of same sister-in-law, Edward Ferras but finds out that he is honour bound to marry Lucy. The younger sister falls in love with a philanderer Willoughby. She is heartbroken when he ditches her and marries an heiress. Sensibility is betrayed but senses prevail when Marianne accepts the proposal of staid and loyal Colonel Brandon. It is happy ending for Elinor too, as her beloved was no longer honour bound to marry Lucy as she elopes with his brother.Ofcourse the story is interesting but what makes it more enthralling is the fine ironic touches the author gives to the main characters in the novel. Irony is not a tongue in the cheek sort but is all pervasive, evenly spread out between the conversation and narration. One apt example is the dialogues between John and his wife, which reveal the utter selfishness of John, blatantly encouraged by Mrs Dashwood. Starting with the intention of giving his step mother and sisters an annual subsidy of 3000pounds a year to fulfil the pledge to his deceased father he whittles down the amount to zero and winds up asking help from them. Her assessment of character is objective with touch of sympathy. There are no absolutes. The characters are individuals not types. There is absolutely no black and white, there are shades of grey too, hence we find that even in villains like Willoughby are bestowed by certain qualities like wit, humour, gaiety and charm.
Equally charitable is she to other follies and foibles of the socialites. Sound financial position id necessary to get a place in high places, she agrees. She also accepts the class distinctions of the day but does not pardon snobbery. Those who base their merit on basis of birth or wealth allow themselves to be butt of her derisive humour. .Being realistic, Jane Austen knew that a common man?s life is anything but romantic. Her chosen themes were anti-romantic. Through elder sister Elinor she ridicules the sentimental gush of Marianne. She dispensed with such exhibitionism, simply because she had knack for making the common seem uncommon, her pen had the power to impart charm of novelty to the ordinary, simple words turning something trivial into fantastic, like a walkin the woods. The daily round of domestic work, social visits, gossips at balls or at tea parties were the ingredients in her recipe of serving and excellent book to her readers. Though not overtly didactic yet the novel carries a strong message the core of happiness lies in compromising with life and circumstances. The conflict between personal wants and external factors not allowing them to be fulfilled can be resolved through moderating one?s own feeling rather than hoping for circumstances to change. In other words we cannot change the pattern of universe, human nature or social norms and traditions but we can certainly change ourselves. Personal as well as social harmony can be successively achieved by adjusting one?s desire to society?s expectation. This is a lesson which stands true even today. If we all start following this dictum then there would automatically be reduction in violence that we see all around us these days.

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