Elinor Character Analysis

When Edward walks in, the narrator says, “anxious was she, for his sake and her own, to do it well, that she forced herself, after a moment’s recollection, to welcome him, with a look and manner that were almost easy, and almost open; and another struggle, another effort still improved them” (181). This is an embarrassing and uncomfortable situation, but Elinor, only after a moment, is able to analyze the situation, recover herself and attempt to make the circumstance as bearable as possible. She is able to accomplish this because she has self-control. She does not crash under pressure or act unruly no matter how brokenhearted she is. When put in similar a predicament Elinor’s sense allows her to regulate the situation and is therefore deemed

superior to Marianne’s sensibility which causes her to lose control and embarrass herself and her sister.
Marianne’s sensibility allows her to become tremendously consumed in her emotions. She becomes unobservant and rude. On the contrary, Elinor’s sense allows her to maintain collected even when placed in difficult circumstances. A prime example of this is seen in the beginning of Volume II, when Lucy attempts to provoke Elinor. Essentially, Lucy wants Elinor to admit that she and Edward should call their engagement off. Nothing would make Elinor happier than having another chance to be with Edward, but because she cannot express this she avoids directly answering. Austen writes, “Elinor thought it wisest to make no answer to this, lest they might provoke each other to an unsuitable increase of ease and unreserved” (112). Even in this difficult situation where Elinor wants to express her true feelings about her “dislike” for Lucy and condone their engagement, Elinor’s sense allows her to govern her actions and as a result she does not look vulnerable or weak to Lucy. Marianne’s rudeness is demonstrated when, step brother, Henry Dashwood, meets them in town and decides to throw a dinner party for his new found friends the Middleton’s, once again, Marianne sensibilities over take her. Marianne is still extremely heartbroken over Willoughby but she feels inclined to attend the dinner because her family is hosting it. At the dinner, Marianne is distant. When she is ask for her opinion about a trivial topic “she offended them all, by declaring that she had no opinion to give, as she had never thought about it”( 176). Marianne inability to pull herself together causes her to become rude. It seems as though she does not care about what is being discussed and this gives the allusion that she does not want to be there. To worsen matters, when Ms. Ferrars declares that Elinor’s art is inferior to Miss Morton, Marianne can resist no longer and stands up for her sister by saying “ This is an admiration of a very particular kind!—what is Miss Morton to us?—who knows, or cares, for her?—it is Elinor of whom we think and speak”(177). Not only does she disrespect Miss Morton by calling her irrelevant, but she is extremely rude to Ms. Ferrars who is an elder at the table. Marianne’s incapacity to control herself leads her to be extremely rude and hostile; compared to Elinor who is perceived as being composed at all times.
In the illustrations based on the 3 preceding paragraphs, the reader can begin to comprehend that sense is superior to sensibility. A majority of this is proved by examining the actions of Elinor versus Marianne. In all of the cases listed above Elinor is the victor. Her actions are praised whereas Marianne’s sensibility just cause rudeness, embarrassment and delusions. Sense is most essential because it allows for sensibility to be controlled and it is clear that Marianne has yet to master this.
At times, it may seem that Elinor’s character is constantly praised while Marianne’s is not.

However, Folsom argues that “the novel does not simply endorse Elinor’s self-command and hidden suffering or condemn Marianne’s expressiveness” (29). While I agree that the novel does not always treat Marianne’s sensibility as a negative attribute, I disagree that Elinor’s sense is condemned. Elinor’s ability to compose herself while being faced with a troubling situation is part of what allows Elinor to be admired. Such an example can be seen when analyzing Elinor’s reaction when she discovers that the man she loves is engaged. Upon finding out, “she was almost overcome – her heart sunk within her, and she could hardly stand; but exertion was indispensably necessary, and she struggled so resolutely against the oppression of her feelings, that her success was “speedy, and for the time complete”(102). This quote demonstrates Elinor’s sense and sensibility competing with one another. Elinor has to use all her power to allow her sense to dominate her sensibility, in order for her to gain composure. The word “speedy” shows that she was able to compose herself quickly before her emotions took over. This description of Elinor sense is to be praised because her ability to compose herself leads to Elinor “success”. Success has a positive and joyous connation that allows the reader to feel that Elinor is the victorious for being able to control herself when placed in such a difficult

circumstance. Although Elinor does keep her emotions hidden, it allows her to think reasonably and maintain composed in the presence of Lucy. Elinor’s sense is followed by success, so her self-restraint is something to be admired by the reader.
As Folsom mentions, Marianne’s sensibility is not always condemned. She proves this by bringing to light a conversation between Elinor and Colonel Brandon, a middle aged man who grows fond of Marianne. It begins with Elinor expressing her shame of Marianne to Colonel Brandon, she states that as time passes Marianne would “settle her opinions on the reasonable basis of common sense and observation”. In response, Colonel Brandon says “This will probably be the case, and yet there is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions’.”( 43) Colonel Brandon clearly enjoys the fact that Marianne is so impressionable and loves whole- hearteddy. He acknowledges that as time goes on she will grow in sense, but he still appreciates and encourages Marianne sensibility even if it causes her “inconveniences”. In these two instances Folsom’s claim that Elinor’s sense is not always admired and Marianne’s sensibility is not always denounced holds true.
The writer Shawn Lisa Maure, from The College of the Holy Cross, uses an abundance of secondary literary sources to develop her argument that the difference between sense and sensibility is due to human development. In the paper, At Seventeen: Adolescence In Sense And Sensibility, Maure categorizes Marianne as an adolescent and uses this to justify Marianne’s actions, when compared to her older sister Elinor, whom she considers an adult. She also argues that Marianne‘s development to adulthood is demonstrated in the novel by her progression of actions. I agree that Marianne’s progression between sense and sensibility is seen chronologically throughout the text. This serves as another example as to why sense is encouraged while sensibility is not. As the novel continues, Marianne becomes more like Elinor, growing in her sense, while Elinor on the other hand does not become more expressive in her emotions.
The fact that Marianne grows more like Elinor just shows that sense is prioritized because this character is changing to embody that. This is demonstrated when Elinor finally tells Marianne about Willoughby’s true feelings. Instead of causing a scene Marianne simply says “Tell Mama”(265). This is a monumental improvement for Marianne who typically acts out when faced with emotional difficulties. Shortly after, Marianne reflects and says that she “could have never been happy him.” Elinor reaffirms her by saying “You considered the matter exactly as a good mind and a sound understanding must consider it; and I dare say, you perceive, as well as myself” (265). This means that Marianne is finally allowing her sense to control her sensibility just like Elinor. This section of the novel demonstrates growth in Marianne’s self-control.
Marianne’s growth to self-governance and reason is fundamental in order for her to find happiness. Elinor explains that if Marianne followed her emotions in her marriage to Willoughby, she would have been financially insecure. She continues by saying, “His expensiveness is acknowledged even by himself, and his whole conduct declares that self-denial is a word hardly understood by him”(265-66). She explains that his expensive taste on a diminutive income would have caused her great distress. This is not an ideal marriage to take part in and following her heart would have led her to unhappiness. This further proves that sensibility does not lead to happiness rather, it is sense. By being sensible, in her marriage to Colonel Brandon, the narrator explains that “Marianne found happiness in forming his… and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby”(288). When Marianne utilizes sense, she is given happiness in return. This further expresses that sense lead to happiness in a spouse. This can also been seen in Elinor’s joyful ending as well. Elinor has expressed sense the entirety of the novel and she gained happiness in her marriage with Edward. The narrator explains that Ms. Jennings, a friend of the Dashwood’s, “found in Elinor and her husband, as she really believed, one of the happiest couple in the world” (285).
In conclusion, the appointing of Elinor with sense and Marianne with sensibility is accurate because although both sisters encompass both qualities Elinor has the ability to govern her emotions whereas Marianne does not.

Although both sense and sensibility are admirable qualities which both sisters obtain, by constantly praising Elinor’s actions and in particular her self- restraint, sense is deemed superior to, at times, Marianne’s erratic sensibility and lack of control. After being heartbroken, Marianne understands that in order for her to find long lasting joy and financial security she needs to gain sense in order to manage her sensibilities and in the end the sense of both sisters lead them to

happiness.