Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The Reading Guide
Reading Group Questions
1. What is the relevance of the title? Does it allude to any characters or situations?
2. In what ways do the Dashwood sisters differ in personality and outlook?
3. Do you think Jane Austen punishes the richer and rewards the poorer in Sense and
Sensibility, or is money seen as merely a means to an end?
4. Does the fact that the narrative seems to be from Elinor’s opinion affect our judgement
of the actions of other characters?
5. Throughout Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen seems to suggest that Elinor’s
behaviour is always correct, and punishes Marianne accordingly. And there are various
‘case studies’ of women who have fallen from favour throughout the novel. Is this a
moralistic novel? Do you think that Marianne’s relationship with Willoughby is
reprehensible? If you translated her actions into a modern setting, would they still be
inappropriate or indecorous?
6. Do you think Marianne’s decision to marry Colonel Brandon is appropriate to her
character? Is it a satisfactory resolution for her and for the novel?
7. Sense and Sensibility’s detail is very domestic; it is in part about women setting up a
house together, much smaller and more meagre than the grand houses their male
relatives inhabit (John Dashwood and Sir John Middleton). Do you think the magic of
Jane Austen’s novels is due to the domestic setting she knew so well? Or do you think
she would have written even greater novels had she cast her sights, and her plots,
further afield?
About the Book
Marianne Dashwood is young, flirtatious and ready to meet a knight in shining armour. Her
sister, Elinor, is more restrained – she knows that when it comes to romance, slow and
steady wins the race. But while both seem to have found what they want, the path to
happiness isn’t as straightforward as they first thought. True love has a habit of breaking the
rules and turning up whenever it’s least expected…
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
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Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The Reading Guide
About the Author
Jane Austen was born in 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, where her father was rector. When
she was 25 the family moved to Bath till her father’s death in 1805, then to Chawton in
Hampshire where Jane lived with her mother and sister. She wrote six novels. Sense and
Sensibility was first in 1811, then Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and
Emma (1816). Northanger Abbey and Persusaion were both published posthumously, in
1817. Jane Austen died in 1817. Well-received during her lifetime, since her death she has
become known as not just one of the greatest writers of English fiction, but one of the most
beloved. For more information go to www.readjaneausten.co.uk.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
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