The role of Women in sense and sensibility explained

1. The Women of
Sense and Sensibility

2. Thesis:

3. The characters Elinor and
Marianne Dashwood in Jane
Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
conduct themselves in a manner
that many women of that time
period also behaved; no matter
what obstacles they faced, their
focus was always finding a
husband to secure a comfortable
future.

4. Characters:

5. Elinor Dashwood:
The eldest daughter of the
Dashwood family at 19 years
old. She forms the “sense” in
the title of Austen’s novel.
She is reserved and practical
and often serves as her
mother’s counselor.

6. Marianne Dashwood:
At 17 Marianne is the
second oldest daughter in the
Dashwood family. Unlike her
sister who is quiet and
reserved, Marianne is
spontaneous and encourages
excess sensibility.

7. Mrs. Dashwood:
The mother of Elinor,
Marianne and their younger
sister Margaret and second wife
of Mr. Henry Dashwood. She is
kind, loving and romantic, just
like Marianne and only wants
what’s best for her daughters,
which is finding suitable
marriages.

8. Fanny Dashwood:
The selfish wife of John
Dashwood, Mr. Dashwood’s son
from his first marriage. She is
manipulative and greedy. Her
goal is always to have money.
She convinces her weak­willed
husband to stop supporting his
mother and two younger sisters
a little after their father dies.

9. Plot:

10. When Mr. Henry Dashwood dies his house
and estate is left to his only son, John
Dashwood. The rest of his children are all
female so they could not inherit anything
from their father. This left them all
penniless and without a home.
In the beginning, Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor,
Marianne and Margaret are able to live
with John because of a promise he made
to his father. However, his greedy wife,
Fanny, manipulates John into turning out
his family and leaving them with only 500
pounds apiece.

11. Elinor was sad to leave their home because she
had recently become attached to Edward
Ferras, Fanny’s brother, but the women all
move to Barton Park to live with some
distant relatives.
At Barton Park the women are introduced to
Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby. John
Willoughby openly courts Marianne and she
becomes quite miserable when he suddenly
leaves for business in London. Also while
staying at Barton Park, the Dashwood sisters
meet Anne and Lucy Steele. Elinor finds out
to her silent dismay that Lucy is secretly

12. After traveling to London, Elinor and
Marianne learn that many people have
been talking of an engagement between
Willoughby and Marianne. However,
when Marianne does see Willoughby he
ignores her and later writes a letter
denying any feelings that he has for her.
In questioning his behavior, the girls learn
that Willoughby had a history of acts such
as these and has spent all of his fortune
and was therefore interested in marrying
a wealthy heiress, Ms. Grey.

13. When the Dashwood sisters return home
they learn that Lucy Steele is engaged to
Mr. Ferras. Thinking that it is Edward,
they are not surprised but Edward soon
shows to correct their assumptions. The
greedy Lucy Steele is engaged to Robert
Ferras, Edwards younger brother because
ironically he is to inherit their mother’s
fortune after Edward is disinherited by
his mother for being engaged to Lucy in
the first place.
Soon after, Edward proposes to Elinor and

14. The 19th
century
woman:

16.  Although the era is named after the
reigning monarch of the time, Queen
Victoria, women had basically the same
rights as children.
 Women could not vote, sue or own
property.
 Women were seen as clean and pure.
Their bodies were like temples and should
not have been defiled with make­up or
pre­marital sex.
 The only job proper women were allowed
to hold was that of a teacher.
 Although they were treated like saints,

17. The 21st
Century
Woman:

18. Nowadays, Women can vote.

19. They can own their own land and
homes.

20. They can choose what they want
to do, where they want to work,
and if they even want to get
married.

21. Society’s view of a woman’s role
has evolved over the past few
hundred years. Women of today
may look back on Victorian
women and be appalled at how
they were treated, but a woman
of the Victorian era may as well
be just as appalled at how
women behave today. The role
that anyone plays in society
comes from society’s view as a

22. How would you survive as a 19th
Century Woman?
The Game

23. 1. Your father recently died, leaving
your mother, you and your four
other sisters with little money.
You…
a. immediately find your best dress and
attend all the balls so that eligible
bachelors can dance with you.
b. take a job as a tutor for your distant
aunt’s children.
c. sit around all day hoping that some
handsome, wealthy young man will find
you.
2. You are known for your…
a. love of books
b. lovers
c. good looks or other talent such as
playing the piano
3. Would you wear a corset?
a. Yes
b. No
4. What is your number one priority?
a. finding a husband
b. being happy
c. helping others
5. In looking for a dress for a ball,
which of the following would you
accentuate?
a. wrists…it’ll be risky, but the men will
notice me more
b. waist…a slender waist is what I’m
looking for
c. eyes..the color of the dress must
compliment my eyes and make me look
mysterious

24. 0-2
The ruined maiden
You wasted the time you should have been
using to find a suitable husband by flirting
with men. You could be seen at parties
batting your eyelashes at many fellows. Be
careful! This seemingly innocent flirting could
result into something worse so that you may
never be seen as fit for a respectable marriage.

25. 3-5
The governess
Maybe you’re not very handsome, maybe you
just like helping others. Congratulations on
your smarts and compassion. However, that
won’t get you very far in the world. You may
be able to make some money to send your
family or even buy a new dress. But what’s
the point in flashy clothing when you’re just
going to watch the children all day.

26. 6-9
The wife
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the
top. Well technically speaking, your
husband probably has but you’ve done
well marrying a rich man. Look he’s so
rich you can commission a painting of
yourself! Good job going to all the balls,
knowing the right people and
conducting yourself in a respectable
manner. Now go have fun and make
lots of kids­hopefully a son so there is
an heir to your husband’s estate.