Marianne represents sensibility and Elinor is the character with sense. According to one of the definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary, sensibility is defined as: "In the 18th and early 19th century (afterwards somewhat rarely): Capacity for refined emotion; delicate sensitiveness of taste; also, readiness to feel compassion for suffering, and to be moved by the pathetic in literature or art."
Marianne's character fits perfectly with that description. There are many definitions of sense (also in the Oxford English Dictionary) but one such definition includes the exact same definition mentioned above for sensibility. It seems that a person with sense can also have a certain amount of sensibility but be able to balance it out. I'm not sure how much sensibility Elinor exhibited, but I do believe that overall Austen tried to show that a good balance between the two is always best.
What I did find interesting is the combination of sense and sensibilities in the marriages. With Marianne and Brandon it is definitely one of each (sense and sensibility), however, with Edward and Elinor they both seemed to be strong in the sense department. Balanced? Maybe it worked because as characters of sense they also carried their sensibility but with much more restraint than Marianne.
My last few ramblings on the subject...
I started to think about which trait I would come across as having more of. I've decided although I think I have an abundant amount of sense, my lack of a "filter," as Zac likes to call it, probably makes me more in tune with my sensibility side. Zac is definitely all sense.
I'd love to know which of the two my friends think they are.
2 comments:
After reading the 18th century definition, I'd have to admit I have more hidden sensibility than I would have thought. But mostly, especially in public, I'd call myself a gal of sense.
I would have to say sense, however, when I was under thirty it was all sensibility. :)
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