Sense and Sensibility – in-class essay – Monday, March 26. 2012
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Throughout the novel, you were to trace a theme of interest to you.
You may use your book, while writing the essay, but no notes or outlines.
Required: a quote from each part of the novel (there are 3 parts) that supports your thesis.
Do not share your ideas or work with anyone! Each essay is an individual effort! I do not
want to see the same quote selections from a majority of students.
5. The more you prepare, the better your essay will be.
6. If you are absent this day, you are expected to write the next time you are in class.
How to prepare – general guidelines:
1. Choose your theme to write about; themes answer a question; you design the question.
2. Highlight your book with the quotes you have chosen; use MLA format for internal citations for a
book - author’s name and page number- ex. (Austen 23).
3. Write an introduction that includes your thesis (claim) statement.
4. Write one or more paragraphs (at least 3) that supports your thesis; guideline – include one quote
in each supporting paragraph.
5. Write a brief conclusion – not a summary! After your reading of the novel and exploration of this
theme – what do you conclude as a reader?
Suggestions for themes and thesis:
Money/Inheritance – How were the money/inheritance laws prejudice against women in 19th century
England?
Gender- How did 19th century England impose limitations on females?
Property, voting, marriage, careers, etc.
Expectations vs. Reality -How are sense and sensibility explored in the novel?
Sensibility (expectations, emotions) vs. Sense (reality, logic)
Marianne compared to Elinor
Marriage; expectation and disappointment; secrecy; self-sacrifice vs. selfishness
Appearance vs. Reality – How do John Willoughby and Lucy Steele illustrate this theme?
Hypocrisy – How does Jane Austen illustrate the hypocrisy of 19th century society through her
characters?
Inheritance laws; class in society; judgment/gossip; selfishness; marriage, etc.