SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

The protagonists are the sisters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret Dashwood, who live with their mother, Mrs. Dashwood. After the death of his father, the family estate passes to his half brother, John Dashwood, the only male descendant and son of a first marriage; the family is left with almost nothing and moves to a little house in the countryside that a relative offers them. The novel follows the Dashwood sisters to their new home, where they experience both romance and a loving disappointment. There they meet three men: Edward Ferrars, Willoughby and Colonel Brandon. Elinor and Marianne have opposite temperaments. Traditionally, it has been considered that Elinor, the oldest, at 19, represents the "meaning" (reason) of the title and Marianne, who is 17, represents "sensitivity" (emotion). However, this point of view is very limited. A detailed examination of the novel allows each sister to see different aspects of each of these traits. The contrast between the characters of the sisters is finally resolved when each of them finds love and lasting happiness.