"Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and
amusingbut her powers had received no aid from education,
she was ignorant and illiterate, and her deficiency of all
mental improvement"
Lucy, presented as the perfect specimen of
pecimen of womanhood that's almost correct,
but not quite- she is uncultivated and
uneducated.
Austen's emphasis on women's
education and intellectual
development shines through here.
Women and
Femininity
"He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be
rather cold hearted, and rather selfish, is to be
ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for
he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of
his ordinary duties."
This description of John
demonstrates how "cold
hearted and rather selfish"
society's requirements are. All
a person within that society
had to do was conduct
themselves "with proprieties"
in everyday life in order to
gain respect, regardless of
their personal qualities.
Patriarchal,
dominating
society
Expectations and
judgements made
through their wealth,
class, family name,
attitude, pride.
Society and
Class
"...when shall I cease to regret you? -- when learn to feel a home
elsewhere? -- Oh happy house! / And you, ye well-known trees!
/ ou will continue the same; unconscious of the pleasure or the
regret you occasion, and insensible of any change in those who
walk under your shade! -- But who will remain to enjoy you?"
The Home
Melodramatic - emotional piece
making her sadness come to life -
realism
Poetic form - expresses
the magnified sadness of
having to leave the only
home Marriannes ever
known
Mentions the 'well-known' trees - raised
with the growth of the trees - provided
shelter, care, nourishment =, only to be
abandoned and no one to 'walker under
[it's] shade' and 'enjoy' it's 'insensible' care.
As though the tree's are a part of the
family - After father's death they are
forced to leave their natural source =
(provides nourishment)
Symbolism
"I have not a doubt of it," said Marianne;
"and I have nothing to regret -- nothing but
my own folly."
Marianne's views on love start to change
as she recognises that she herself was a
fool for loving Willoughby and begins to
repent and regret.
Love
"...Elinor was much more hurt by Marianne's
warmth, than she had been by what produced it.
/ Her affectionate heart which could not bear to
see a sister slighted in the smallest point. /[She]
one arm round her neck, and one cheek close
to hers, said in a low, but eager voice: "Dear,
dear Elinor, don't mind them. Don't let them
make you unhappy."
Marianne's sisterly love emerges here, proving that, despite their
troubles, Elinor and Marianne have a profound bond. Perhaps a
little too profound on Marianne's part, based on her uncontrollable
emotions.
AO4
All the characters lead a life of leisure. The men
do little but hunt and shoot. The women entertain
their friends, sing or play an instrument, play
cards, and work at painting screens, making
filigree baskets, and doing carpet work. Much time
is spent in gossip, chatter, and the reading of
poetry and romances.
If they are rich, as is Miss Grey, they can literally buy a husband —
their dowry offering often being quite substantial. If, like the Misses
Dashwood, they have little dowry, their problems are great.
Women like Elinor and Marianne have been brought up in a certain manner.
They are educated and cultured but essentially useless. They have little
money to offer a man, cannot work, and yet demand a man of their own level.
Devonshire and London
(England) – early 19th
century
AO3
AO1
Women and Femininity
Society and Class
Rites of Passage
Love
The Home
Language and
communications
Family
Marriage
Wealth
Dreams, Hopes and Plans
Competition
Summary: Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in
love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's
warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo.
Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her
own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel
experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with
sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money
govern the rules of love.
Simply Put: Two sisters, Elinor Dashwood and Marianne Dashwood both fall in love but
both feel the pain of love when their suitors leave them for another. Elinor’s suitor
Edward Ferrars, due to social constrains, was set to marry Lucy Steele but later finds his
way and marries Elinor. Marianne’s suitor John Willoughby turns to be unfaithful and
marries Miss Sophia Grey due to her wealth