Elinor Is Realistic And Practical While Marianne - 890 Words

Both Elinor and Marianne possess agreeable qualities: Elinor is realistic and practical while Marianne is passionate. However, these good qualities do nothing in their search for husbands since the world in which they live is largely defined by money and social connections, which the two lack. For instance, to demonstrate the importance of social rank, Austen writes: He is very far from being independent. What his mother really is we cannot know; but, from Fanny’s occasional mention of her conduct and opinions, we have never been disposed to think her amiable; and I am very much mistaken if Edward is not himself aware that there would be many difficulties in his way, if he were to wish to marry a woman who had not either a great fortune or high rank. (p. 20-21) The quote represents Elinor’s realization that her marriage to Edward Ferrars, a man from a wealthy family, was in jeopardy solely because of his family’s arrogance. Since Elinor did not have the social and financial esteem that they wanted, Edward’s family verifies that status was more important than happiness. To further show that money and social connection was crucial in nineteenth century life, Austen shows the cruel circle in which no money and no connections creates. Primogeniture, or the tradition where first-born child, usually male, inherits estate and wealth, prevents the Dashwood sisters from having money. Because of this, both Elinor and Marianne are forced to rely on the fortunes of a wealthyShow MoreRelatedSense and Sensibilty by Jane Austen2297 Words   |  9 Pagesqualities of formal etiquette, logic, and rationality. Austen focuses on the moral and social attributes of each, mainly their concepts on love. †¯She portrays these traits in a ll the characters in the book, mainly the two oldest Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who indirectly embody the title of the novel. They are inverted to each other where one represents Classicism and the other Romanticism. This is important because it provides the necessary dichotomy to create an understanding of the negativesRead MoreEssay Significance of Jane Austen1948 Words   |  8 Pagestraditional education, but all members of the Austen family were involved, primarily through reading aloud. â€Å"There was also a great deal of reading aloud in the Austen household. Many families at the time would have one of their members read to the others while they carried out small tasks. Reading aloud was considered a highly valuable professional and social skill.†(Kelly) Austen was encouraged to read and she began writing at an early age. â€Å"The juvenilia, written in her early and mid teens are already