Still need to get a copy of Jane of Austin? Find it here in hardcopy or Kindle! (afflinks)
Note: The audio version is also delightful, but for literary life coaching purposes,
reading it visually is preferable if possible.
Introduction to Jane of Austin
Helpful Links:
- Watch my Introduction to Literary Life Coaching video
- Download accompanying PDF here
- Find Jane of Austin Amazon Music Playlist
- Head to this forum thread to share your personal literary life coaching question!
- Still need to download our fall calendar? Find it here!
Quick Sense & Sensibility Overview–note: includes spoilers! (adapted from Brittanica.com)
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen, was published anonymously in three volumes in 1811. The satirical work offers a depiction of 19th-century middle-class life as it follows the relationships of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.
Sisters Elinor and Marianne represent personifications of good sense (common sense) and sensibility (emotionality), respectively. They become destitute upon the death of their father, who leaves their home, Norland Park, to their half brother, John.
Although instructed to take care of his sisters, John is dissuaded by his greedy wife, Fanny. The family—which, in addition to Elinor and Marianne, includes their mother and a younger sister—moves to Barton Cottage.
There the open and enthusiastic Marianne meets Colonel Brandon, a bachelor twenty years her senior. Although he expresses an interest in Marianne, she becomes infatuated with the attractive John Willoughby, who seems to be a romantic lover but is in reality an unscrupulous fortune hunter.
Eventually he deserts Marianne for an heiress, and after many twists and turns she grows to love Colonel Brandon.
During this time, Marianne’s elder sister, the prudent and discreet Elinor, and Edward Ferrars, Fanny’s brother, have formed an attachment. However, she is outwardly reserved about her affections, especially after learning that he has been secretly engaged to Lucy Steele for several years.
Although Edward loves Elinor, he is determined to honour his commitment to Lucy. When the engagement is revealed, Edward is disowned, and Colonel Brandon offers him a living as a clergyman.
Later Elinor is told that Mr. Ferrars has married. Believing that the Mr. Ferrars in question is Edward, she is shocked and relieved to discover that Lucy has wed Edward’s brother, Robert.
Edward arrives at Barton Cottage and proposes to Elinor, who accepts.