This document analyzes the marginalization of male characters in Jane Austen's novel "Sense and Sensibility". It notes that the novel is female-centered, with women in power positions, while the male characters are intellectually marginalized. It examines several male characters - Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, John Willoughby, Henry Dashwood, John Dashwood, and Sir John Middleton - and argues they each demonstrate weaknesses and lack of independence or intelligence. Edward is dominated by his mother, Colonel Brandon has an uninteresting personality, and John Willoughby is portrayed negatively as lustful and unfaithful. The document concludes there are several examples of marginalized love triangles that demonstrate women in positions of power over men

1. Marginalization of Male Characters
in S & S
Name: Riddhi Jani
Roll No: 25
Paper: 5, The Romantic Literature
Semester: 2nd
Submitted to: Department of
English

2. About My Topic
• “Sense and Sensibility”-Jane Austen's
experimental work.
• Not stereotypical novel with powerful Hero and
ONLY good looking heroine.
• On the contrary there is not any particular hero.
• Female centered novel.
• Women are in power position.
• Male characters are very intellectually
marginalized by Austen.

3. Male Characters
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•
•
•
•
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Edward Ferrars
Colonel Brandon
John Willoughby
Henry Dashwood
John Dashwood
Sir John
Middleton
• Mr. Palmer
• Robert Ferrars

4. Edward Ferrars
• Dominated by mother and sister.
• He has not voice.
• Described as „a man of
obedience‟.
• Poor, aimless and shy gentleman.
• His mother is in ruling position.
• He is in „YES MOM‟ kind of
position.
• In Edward and Elinor‟s
relation, Elinor‟s intelligence is
given more importance.
• Edward is not independent.
• Austen glorifies his feminine
aspects.

5. Colonel Brandon
• Colonel Brandon is stern and
quite guy.
• Very less specialty in his
character.
• Austen intentionally highlights
boring and weak side of his
character.
• Incident of abandonment of
Eliza.
• The responsibility of a child or
children: For a man-too difficult,
For a woman-easy.
• Marianne is given more
importance.

6. John Willoughby
• Playboy kind of young man.
• Casanova like personality.
• Marginalized because of
negative portrayal.
• He is (mis)representation of
all males‟ rudeness and
ruthlessness.
• Lusty and unfaithful fellow.
• Marianne is described purer
than him.

7. Another Marginalization
• Another marginalizations we can find in
love triangle of Willoughby, Marianne
and Brandon.
• In John and Fanny‟s relations also we
can see Fanny in power position.
• In the very beginning of the novel, the
death of Henry is shown.