Sense and Sensibility facts for kids

The three volumes of the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, 1811

Sense and Sensibility is a famous novel written by Jane Austen. It was her very first novel, published way back in 1811. The story is mostly about two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. It follows their lives and their search for love. The book takes place in southern England during the 1790s.

Jane Austen paid to have her book published. She earned a good profit from the first edition. All 750 copies sold out by July 1813. A second edition was then printed in October 1813.

Main Characters in Sense and Sensibility

A 19th century illustration showing Willoughby cutting a lock of Marianne's hair

• Henry Dashwood – A wealthy gentleman who dies at the start of the story. He cannot leave money to his second wife and their three daughters. He asks his son, John, to help them financially.

• Mrs. Dashwood – Henry Dashwood's second wife. She becomes very poor after her husband dies. Like her daughter Marianne, she shows her emotions easily.

• Elinor Dashwood – The oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. She is sensible and quiet. Elinor likes Edward Ferrars, who is the brother-in-law of her half-brother, John. She feels responsible for her family.

• Marianne Dashwood – The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. She is romantic and expresses her feelings openly. Both Colonel Brandon and Mr. Willoughby are interested in her. Marianne is drawn to the handsome Willoughby. She does not pay much attention to the older, quieter Colonel Brandon.

• Margaret Dashwood – The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. She is also romantic and kind.

• John Dashwood – Henry Dashwood's son from his first marriage.

• Fanny Dashwood – John Dashwood's wife. She is also the sister of Edward and Robert Ferrars.

• Sir John Middleton – A distant relative of Mrs. Dashwood. After Henry Dashwood dies, he invites Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters to live in a cottage on his land. Sir John, his wife, and their children are often visited by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings. Sir John and Mrs. Jennings are cheerful and enjoy talking about others. They like to help young people find good partners.

• Lady Middleton – Sir John Middleton's wife. She is proper and mostly cares for her four children.

• Edward Ferrars – The older brother of Fanny Dashwood. He becomes close to Elinor Dashwood. Before meeting the Dashwoods, Edward secretly promised to marry Lucy Steele. He kept it a secret because his family would not approve.

• Robert Ferrars – The younger brother of Edward Ferrars and Fanny Dashwood.

• Mrs. Ferrars – The mother of Fanny, Edward, and Robert Ferrars. She is a strong-willed woman who wants her sons to marry rich women.

• Colonel Brandon – A close friend of Sir John Middleton. When he was young, he loved a girl his family prevented him from marrying. He later cares for her daughter.

• John Willoughby – A charming young man who is a nephew of a neighbor of the Middletons. He quickly wins Marianne's heart.

• Charlotte Palmer – The daughter of Mrs. Jennings and younger sister of Lady Middleton. Mrs. Palmer is pretty and cheerful. She often laughs at things that are not funny.

• Mr. Palmer – Charlotte Palmer's husband. He is often rude to others.

• Lucy Steele – A young relative of Mrs. Jennings. She has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars for some time. She tries to become friends with Elinor Dashwood and Mrs. John Dashwood. She is clever and tries to get what she wants.

• Anne/Nancy Steele – Lucy Steele's older sister.

• Miss Sophia Grey – A wealthy young woman whom Mr. Willoughby marries. He marries her to keep his comfortable life after losing his inheritance.

• Lord Morton – The father of Miss Morton.

• Miss Morton – A rich woman whom Mrs. Ferrars wants her son, Edward, to marry.

• Mr. Pratt – An uncle of Lucy Steele.

See also

In Spanish: Sense and Sensibility para niños