Elinor Dashwood
Encyclopedia
Elinor Dashwood is a fictional character
and the main protagonist of Jane Austen
's novel Sense and Sensibility
.
In this novel, Austen analyses the conflict between the opposing temperaments of sense [logic, propriety, and thoughtfulness, as expressed in Austen's time by neo-classicists], and sensibility [emotion, passion, unthinking action, as expressed in Austen's time by romantics]. In this conflict, Elinor, a reserved, practical, and thoughtful young woman who embodies the "sense
" of the title, is juxtaposed to her flightly younger sister Marianne
who embodies "sensibility
". Elinor appears to be vaguely based on the author's older sister, Cassandra Austen
.
Elinor is described as possessing a coolness of judgement and strength of understanding which qualifies her to be her mother's frequent counsellor, and sometimes she shows more common sense than her mother, whose judgment is shown to be flawed by her exaggerated notions of romantic delicacy. Her mother is more often preoccupied with Marianne and her problems. Although Austen writes that Elinor's feelings are just as passionate and deep as Marianne's, she knows how to govern them better, as she is more aware of the demands society makes upon women and more prepared to compromise. She is described as having a delicate complexion
, regular features, and a remarkably pretty figure—although less striking than Marianne, more "correct"—which Austen uses as a good overall summary of their characters as well as their physical appearance. She is politer than Marianne, though her repugnance towards vulgarity and selfishness is quite equal; and thus she can "really love" the rather vulgar but good hearted Mrs. Jennings, and be civil to people Marianne would be repulsed by—even people like Lucy Steele.
Following the death of their father in the opening chapter, the sisters (with their mother) are reduced to near-poverty by the selfishness and greed of their sister-in-law, Fanny. Their half-brother, Fanny's husband, inherits their father's entire estate by law. Although their father made him promise to 'take care' of his half-sisters and stepmother, Fanny easily persuades him that this does not actually mean monetary assistance, leaving his step-mother and half-sisters with no dowry and very little to live on.
Elinor falls in love
with Edward Ferrars
, Fanny's older brother, but her reduced circumstances and Edward's reticence in wooing her do not allow her to hope for an offer of marriage. After they move to Barton Cottage on a relative's estate, Barton Park in Devon, the practical Elinor takes the initiative to make sure that they live within their means and do not overspend on luxuries.
She is shown to be compassionate and caring towards the older and grave Colonel Brandon, and pities the hopelessness of his love for Marianne. Her calmness and cool demeanour allow her to endure Mrs Jennings's teasing over her mysterious suitor, but she also has to endure Lucy Steele's confession that she and Edward Ferrars are secretly engaged. In the book, Elinor suppresses her feelings and does her best to convince Lucy that she feels nothing for Edward. She is concerned by the developing relationship between Marianne and Willoughby, thinking that impulsive, volatile Marianne is too open with her feelings and reckless about obeying social conventions. She assumes that Marianne is secretly engaged to Willoughby and is shocked when Marianne confesses that this is not the case.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
and the main protagonist of Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
's novel Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility, published in 1811, is a British romance novel by Jane Austen, her first published work under the pseudonym, "A Lady." Jane Austen is considered a pioneer of the romance genre of novels, and for the realism portrayed in her novels, is one the most widely read writers in...
.
In this novel, Austen analyses the conflict between the opposing temperaments of sense [logic, propriety, and thoughtfulness, as expressed in Austen's time by neo-classicists], and sensibility [emotion, passion, unthinking action, as expressed in Austen's time by romantics]. In this conflict, Elinor, a reserved, practical, and thoughtful young woman who embodies the "sense
Common sense
Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts." Thus, "common sense" equates to the knowledge and experience which most people already have, or which the person using the term believes that they do or should have...
" of the title, is juxtaposed to her flightly younger sister Marianne
Marianne Dashwood
Marianne Dashwood is a fictional character in the Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility. The 17-year-old second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood, she embodies the ‘sensibility’ of the title, as opposed to her elder sister Elinor’s ‘sense.’...
who embodies "sensibility
Sensibility
Sensibility refers to an acute perception of or responsiveness toward something, such as the emotions of another. This concept emerged in eighteenth-century Britain, and was closely associated with studies of sense perception as the means through which knowledge is gathered...
". Elinor appears to be vaguely based on the author's older sister, Cassandra Austen
Cassandra Austen
Cassandra Elizabeth Austen was an amateur English watercolourist and the elder sister of Jane Austen.-Childhood:...
.
Elinor is described as possessing a coolness of judgement and strength of understanding which qualifies her to be her mother's frequent counsellor, and sometimes she shows more common sense than her mother, whose judgment is shown to be flawed by her exaggerated notions of romantic delicacy. Her mother is more often preoccupied with Marianne and her problems. Although Austen writes that Elinor's feelings are just as passionate and deep as Marianne's, she knows how to govern them better, as she is more aware of the demands society makes upon women and more prepared to compromise. She is described as having a delicate complexion
Complexion
Complexion refers to the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially that of the face.-History:The word "complexion" is derived from the Late Latin complexi, which initially referred in general terms to a combination of things, and later in physiological terms, to the balance of...
, regular features, and a remarkably pretty figure—although less striking than Marianne, more "correct"—which Austen uses as a good overall summary of their characters as well as their physical appearance. She is politer than Marianne, though her repugnance towards vulgarity and selfishness is quite equal; and thus she can "really love" the rather vulgar but good hearted Mrs. Jennings, and be civil to people Marianne would be repulsed by—even people like Lucy Steele.
Following the death of their father in the opening chapter, the sisters (with their mother) are reduced to near-poverty by the selfishness and greed of their sister-in-law, Fanny. Their half-brother, Fanny's husband, inherits their father's entire estate by law. Although their father made him promise to 'take care' of his half-sisters and stepmother, Fanny easily persuades him that this does not actually mean monetary assistance, leaving his step-mother and half-sisters with no dowry and very little to live on.
Elinor falls in love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
with Edward Ferrars
Edward Ferrars
Edward Ferrars is a fictional character in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. He is the elder of Fanny Dashwood's two brothers and forms an attachment to Elinor Dashwood.As first described in Sense and Sensibility:...
, Fanny's older brother, but her reduced circumstances and Edward's reticence in wooing her do not allow her to hope for an offer of marriage. After they move to Barton Cottage on a relative's estate, Barton Park in Devon, the practical Elinor takes the initiative to make sure that they live within their means and do not overspend on luxuries.
She is shown to be compassionate and caring towards the older and grave Colonel Brandon, and pities the hopelessness of his love for Marianne. Her calmness and cool demeanour allow her to endure Mrs Jennings's teasing over her mysterious suitor, but she also has to endure Lucy Steele's confession that she and Edward Ferrars are secretly engaged. In the book, Elinor suppresses her feelings and does her best to convince Lucy that she feels nothing for Edward. She is concerned by the developing relationship between Marianne and Willoughby, thinking that impulsive, volatile Marianne is too open with her feelings and reckless about obeying social conventions. She assumes that Marianne is secretly engaged to Willoughby and is shocked when Marianne confesses that this is not the case.
Notable dramatic portrayals
- Madge EvansMadge EvansMadge Evans was an American stage and film actress. She began her career as a child performer and model.-Child model and stage actress:...
in 1950 - Joanna DavidJoanna DavidJoanna David is a British actress, best known for her television work.She was born in Lancaster, England. Her first major television role was as Elinor Dashwood in the BBC's 1971 dramatisation of Sense and Sensibility followed a year later in War and Peace, in which she played Sonya...
in 1971 - Irene Richards in the 1981 BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television serial Sense and Sensibility (1981 TV serial)Sense and Sensibility (1981 TV serial)Sense and Sensibility is a 1981 BBC television adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. The seven-part series was dramatized by Alexander Baron, and directed by Rodney Bennett....
. - Emma ThompsonEmma ThompsonEmma Thompson is a British actress, comedian and screenwriter. Her first major film role was in the 1989 romantic comedy The Tall Guy. In 1992, Thompson won multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the British drama Howards End...
in the 1995 film adaptationSense and Sensibility (1995 film)Sense and Sensibility is a 1995 British drama film directed by Ang Lee. The screenplay by Emma Thompson is based on the 1811 novel of the same name by English author Jane Austen... - TabuTabu (actress)Tabu is an Indian film actress. She has mainly acted in Hindi films, though she has also starred in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali language films, as well as one American film...
in the 2000 Tamil adaptation Kandukondain KandukondainKandukondain KandukondainKandukondain Kandukondain is a 2000 Tamil musical and romantic film based on Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility. Directed and co-written by Rajiv Menon, the film features an ensemble cast of Ajith Kumar, Mammootty, Tabu, Aishwarya Rai and Abbas in the lead roles... - Hattie MorahanHattie MorahanHarriet Jane Morahan is an award-winning English television, film, and stage actress.-Background:Hattie Morahan is the youngest daughter of television and film director Christopher Morahan and actress Anna Carteret...
in the 2008Sense and Sensibility (2008 TV serial)Sense and Sensibility is a 2008 British television serial adapted by the BBC from Jane Austen's novel of the same name. It was written by Andrew Davies and directed by John Alexander. The serial was aired on BBC One in three parts on 1, 6 and 13 January 2008. It aired the United States in two...
BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
serial adaptation - Camilla BelleCamilla BelleCamilla Belle is an American actress. Her works include The Lost World: Jurassic Park, When a Stranger Calls, 10,000 BC, The Quiet, Push and Speedy Singhs.- Early life :...
as "Nora Dominguez" in the 2011 modern adaption From Prada to NadaFrom Prada to NadaFrom Prada to Nada is an American romantic comedy film directed by Angel Garcia and produced by Gary Gilbert, Linda McDonough, Gigi Pritzker and Chris Ranta. The plot was conceived from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility...
.
External links
- Sense and Sensibility at Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...