Sense and Sensibility Jane Austin
'Today we may not all find such terms as 'manners', 'propriety', 'utility', 'decorum', 'sense', 'reason', 'nature', 'taste', 'elegance', 'sensibility', 'improvement', either attractive in themselves, or self-evident in their meaning; yet we cannot but be impressed when we consider what a continuous, concerted, and controlled effort must have been needed to establish them as effective key words of a society for so long.'
Taking one or more of the above 'key words' attempt to define them according to their C18th/early C19th meanings and then discuss these words and the qualities they represent in one or more novels of the period.
Jane Austin's novel 'sense and sensibility' is a narrative that must be examined for its higher message about the conflict between society and humanity's true nature. I will argue that the novel is a tool to show this and that although today we do not value qualities such as sense and propriety, modern society have there own key words which function in the same way.
The characters within Jane Austin are representations of a concept that is presented to the reader. The characters start by representing two juxtaposing states that are raw and unchallenged, throughout the novel both sisters embrace parts of each others character. Elinor represents conformity to the society she is in or sense, “Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment” judgement is used as a double entendre, meaning to cast thought on a situation but also oppress her personal opinions and judgements to conform with the society.
Marianne represents sensibility, Jane gives the impression of equality between sense and sensibility and the two sisters to show that Jane is not casting judgement and acting out of sense so as not to offend her readers. “Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's.” However Jane's own use of irony throughout the book displays her true
Taking one or more of the above 'key words' attempt to define them according to their C18th/early C19th meanings and then discuss these words and the qualities they represent in one or more novels of the period.
Jane Austin's novel 'sense and sensibility' is a narrative that must be examined for its higher message about the conflict between society and humanity's true nature. I will argue that the novel is a tool to show this and that although today we do not value qualities such as sense and propriety, modern society have there own key words which function in the same way.
The characters within Jane Austin are representations of a concept that is presented to the reader. The characters start by representing two juxtaposing states that are raw and unchallenged, throughout the novel both sisters embrace parts of each others character. Elinor represents conformity to the society she is in or sense, “Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment” judgement is used as a double entendre, meaning to cast thought on a situation but also oppress her personal opinions and judgements to conform with the society.
Marianne represents sensibility, Jane gives the impression of equality between sense and sensibility and the two sisters to show that Jane is not casting judgement and acting out of sense so as not to offend her readers. “Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's.” However Jane's own use of irony throughout the book displays her true