I started Sense and Sensibility some months ago; and I abandoned it. Mainly because Marianne's character and attitude drove me absolutely crazy. Not to mention the start of the book was rather slow. It is funny; however, that during my reading of this book I started and completed another of Austen's novels. So soon after finishing Pride and Prejudice I decided to finish off the reminder of Sense and Sensibility. The novel, published in 1811; the first of Austen's works to be published, was not unknown to me. Like many Janeites I have seen and owned a copy of the 1995 movie; staring Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. So you can say that I knew what to expect upon reading the book. However, some of the impressions you may get from the characters of the book are often lost in the movie. For instance, the overall selfishness that seems to plague some of the characters does not necessarily come across on the screen. Nor is the silliness of some of the characters truly on display. It did not strike me until re-reading Pride and Prejudice that single men and single women would 1) not be alone together and 2) would never exchange private letters to one another. This, however, seemed to happen often in this book. The worst among them are Willoughby and Marianne. They carry on together in a very, very open and impertinent way. Which would and eventually does lead to a bit of ridicule and gossip. Mrs.Jennings seems to be the main culprit in this, along with her daughter. A lot of the gossip and silliness seems based primarily in boredom and a selfish need to "uplift" oneself. We see this with the other all behavior of Lucy to Elinor. A lot of her "gossip" is used to a means to rub her connections to The Ferrars in Elinor's face. Towards the end of the book Lucy is seen for what she is by her ex fiancé and by Elinor; both of whom had misgivings about her character for sometime.
Overall in this book we see how money and the need for "good fortune" shapes the relationships of the characters. Edward Ferrars, who was engaged to Lucy ends up losing his rightful inheritance because of the engagement. Mainly because Lucy is poor and marrying her could in no way uplift the Ferrars family. However, after losing everything and going back to Oxford; Lucy breaks off the engagement in favor of Edward's brother, Robert. Who has now become the eldest son and will inherit all the money that Edward lost. Of course Robert suffers because of his entanglement with Lucy, but, it does not last and Edward is treated with indifference. The same happens with Willoughby even though he losing his inheritance because he was a cad and left a young woman in the family way and alone. So he breaks off his relationship with Marianne in order to run and find wealthy wife. Upon Marianne's entering London and sending word to him that she had arrived he does everything in his power to avoid her. Willoughby, after seeing her at a party decides to break all ties with her and rather nastily. We later find out that he is not the real author of the letter in a long conversation in which he explains himself to Elinor. Its rather heartbreaking and even though Elinor has to check her emotions to help mend his sisters broken heart. She knows that concealing her heart break over Edward and Lucy is for the best and that expressing it will get her no where. In better words she is just giving into Marianne's self centeredness and need to hog the spotlight.
What I really enjoyed about the book was that it showed how messy and unpredictable relationships can be. Austen crafted this one beautifully, perfectly and it pulled at the heart strings. What I did miss however were the direct declarations of love that we see in Pride and Prejudice. While they do happen in the novel, they happen in directly. Willoughby and Colonel Brandon declare their love for Marianne directly to Elinor. Who never really gets a declaration of love at all. The love between her and Edward is a lasting and true one none the less but I would have loved to see more. Also, I missed the wit of Pride and Prejudice. The characters are more ridiculous than funny. I honestly must say that I gave this book four stars. It will still be counted as one of my all time favorites.
Quotes that I loved:
"The unkindness of your own relations has made you astonished to find friendship anywhere"
"You ought not to speak in this way, either of Mrs. Willoughby or my sister. You have made your own choice. It was not forced on you. Your wife has a claim to your politeness, to your respect, at least. She must be attached to you, or she would not have married you. To treat her with unkindness, to speak of her slightingly is not atonement to Marianne - not can I suppose it a relief to your own conscience"
"Do not talk to me of my wife, said he with a heavy sigh. She does not deserve your compassion. She knew I had no regard for her when we married"
"The whole of his behavior, replied Elinor, from the beginning to the end of the affair, had been grounded on selfishness. It was selfishness which made him sport with your affections; which afterward, when his own were engaged, made him delay he confession of it, and which finally carried him from Barton...."
"At present, continued Elinor, he regrets what he has done. And why does he regret it? Because he finds it has not answered towards himself. It has no made him happy."
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