Sense and Sensibility
- Jane Austen
“The more I
know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall
never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”
There couldn’t be a more
eloquent, refreshing setting as the British countryside. The tenor of the
entire book is so invigorating, so relatable, that it is very easy to fall in
love with the book. Elinor and Marianne, two perfect opposites along with their
sister Margaret and recently widowed mother, cope with disturbing and
uncomfortable situations, father-less and unaccustomed to limited money. The
Dashwood sisters’ lives change forever when their father dies, and according to
the law, Norland Park goes to Mr Dashwood’s son and his stingy wife Fanny, and
the Dashwoods turn out to be guests in their own home. The soft spoken Elinor
finds herself drawn to Fanny’s brother Edward hoping that the feeling was
mutual. But given the circumstances, the Dashwood women hurry off to a cottage
provided by a generous cousin feeling the hostility and awkwardness at their
acquired home. Elinor, subtle and lady like in her emotional eloquence, keeps
her longing love for Edward within the corners of their cottage while Marianne,
full of Shakespearean views of love, is never ashamed to let her vivacity show
and when she develops a fiery attraction towards romantic Willoughby, she makes
it known to others. With the continuous turn of events, happiness and sorrow,
disappointments and fervent hope for the better, their lives go for a toss, and
they struggle to stand firm on their feet without being wavered by well-off, eligible
bachelorettes. It is a struggle to maintain a balance between sense and
sensibility. Jane Austen’s books have a certain charm about them and it is very
hard not to appreciate every work of hers. Sense and Sensibility talks a lot
about everyday life; it’s a simple story woven beautifully through the
innocent, modest happenings in the Dashwood family. Austen’s wit and certain sharpness
in her language, her sarcasm, all play a major role in designing the characters
and creating an appeal to the readers. In the end, Elinor and Marianne learn
from each other the meaning of love, Marianne ending up marrying Colonel
Brandon, who, ever since set his eyes on her, developed a fondness towards.
Even as you read the book
the characters come to life and the picturesque locations you conjure in your
mind while doing so are very beautifully brought out in the movie made of the
book. The casting was brilliant, and Marianne couldn’t have been played so
perfectly by any other than Kate Winslet. Though certain modifications were
done to the story, it did fairly justify the simplicity and honesty of the
book, which is saying quite a lot! All in all, Sense and Sensibility is an
incomparable book…timeless…that’s why it’s a classic.
