Sense and Sensibility

The questions in this Journal Assignment cover readings in Lessons 1–4 of the Sense and Sensibility unit (Chapters 1–22 of the text). You will probably want to wait until after Lesson 4 before you answer these questions, but you should keep the questions in mind as you work on Lesson 1–4.

1. The author spends several pages on the discussion between John and Fanny, during which Fanny convinces her husband to forgo his promise to provide for the Dashwood ladies. What does this conversation reveal about these two characters? Why does the author spend so much time on this conversation? Answer: Mrs. John Dashwood (Fanny) had disapprove on what Mr. John Dashwood had intended to do for the Dashwood ladies, she had thought that giving the Daskwood ladies “three thousand pounds from the fortune that their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to a dreadful degree.” and had wanted him to rethink it again and make the right choice.

Mr. John Dashwood had wanted to help the Dashwood ladies because it was his fathers last request for him, that he should assist his widow and daughters, but in the end Mrs. John Dashwood had made him rethink it and make him think of what his father truly meant, which was get them a smaller house and a send them presents of such thing that were in season. I believe that the author spends so much time on this conversation because he wants to make a point, and that point is to show how Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood acts, they are putting themselves first before there family.

2. Elinor and Marianne reveal some of the differences in their temperament upon their departure from Norland. Compare how Elinor and Marianne feel and behave upon leaving Norland. Be sure to discuss specific examples of their behavior? Answer: Marianne’s before leaving Norland her thoughts had shown her clearly romantic thoughts, through out high-flown diction and had a very emotional tone. She a master of overstatement, when she states that she could never feel at home no where else but there in Norland, but when she cames the the Barton Cottage she had felt at home. Elionor’s misery was left unknown, although Edward had this reactions to the announcement to the leaving that had seemed to confirm his affections to Elinor, even though her doubts about his love aren’t certainly settled for this occasion. Marianne’s type to feel with great force that it express the overabundance of the feeling in a freely way that it becomes clear.

3. After Marianne spends the morning at Allenham with Willoughby, Elinor says: “I am afraid…that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.” This quote indicates that Elinor’s sense of propriety and Marianne’s sensibility come into conflict regarding Willoughby. Explain why Elinor is bothered by Marianne’s behavior and compare Marianne’s praise of Willoughby with Elinor’s earlier praise of Edward. Answer: Elinor had seemed bothered by seeing Marianne being so open about her love of Willoughby and it makes Elinor think of Edward and hoe Elinor wants to be as happy as Marianne. On one hand Elinor’s nature to sensible makes her keep certain things to her self is getting weakened by Marrianne’s nature to sensibility. On the other hand Elinor sercretly wishes that she can have happiness and love with Edward, but she never really show what she wishes. The love that Marianne’s has found is making Elinor rethink her thoughts and her feeling concerning her love life.

4. Mrs. Palmer often contradicts herself; for example, when speaking of Willoughby, she says, “I know him extremely well…not that I ever spoke to him, indeed; but I have seen him for ever in town.” She also says that although Colonel Brandon didn’t verbally confirm that Marianne and Willoughby will be married: “…he looked as if he knows it to be true, so from that moment I set it down as certain.” Through her descriptions of Mrs. Palmer’s speech and behavior, as well as through Elinor’s analysis of evidence, what is the author saying about her views of gossip and people’s use of language? Answer: Mrs. Palmer comment concerning Willoughby also reinforces that fact the she knows great stories of gossip that was passed on by others, She is humorous character saying things without thinking, ridiculous statements and that her behavior isn’t usually appropriate.

Mrs. Palmer believes that Colonel Brandon is a honorable socialite, well repected and ex soldier, and then suggest that she most follow the masses in term of believing what most of the respected people claim to say. She believes everything in the public’s decisions and beliefs. What Jane Austen most being saying about her views of gossip and people’s us of language, that a humorous women that consider themselves educated sources of information when their educated sources weren’t really that reliable at all what so ever. She is also saying demeaning women are for being so gullible and helpless of thinking for themselves. She shows disrespect toward women for depending their existence on the drama around other people’s lives, gossip and other useless issues.