Was Jane Austen Unfair to Marianne Dashwood? | Sense and Sensibility Deep Dive

TL;DR

This analysis explores Marianne Dashwood's intense infatuation with Willoughby in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, examining the psychological phenomenon of limerence and questioning whether Austen's portrayal of Marianne was fair.

Transcript

Hi guys, Olive here. Here today to discuss  Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility,   more specifically I want to discuss the character  Marianne Dashwood's infatuation with Willoughby.   I want to talk about what may have been going  on with her psychologically at the time and why   I don't think Jane Austen was completely fair  to her. But bef... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎮 Jane Austen portrays Marianne as a negative example of excessive emotions, contrasting her with the composed and controlled Elinor.
• 💪 Marianne's infatuation with Willoughby can be understood through the lens of limerence, which involves a strong emotional dependence and preoccupation with the desired person.
• 🧠 Austen's unawareness of the brain science behind limerence might have influenced her unfair portrayal of Marianne and her inability to control her emotions.
• 🤳 Marianne's experience of limerence offers lessons about self-discovery, the limitations of intense relationships, and the importance of emotional growth.
• 🎮 The novel's critique of "sensibility" reflects Austen's disapproval of excessive emotion and her belief in the importance of emotional control.
• 👻 Marianne's eventual relationship with Colonel Brandon allows her to appreciate constancy and devotion, contrasting with her intense but unsustainable connection with Willoughby.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Sense and Sensibility about and what are the main characters' love interests?

Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austen's first published novel, focusing on the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor's love interest is Edward Ferrars, while Marianne becomes infatuated with John Willoughby.

Q: How do Elinor and Marianne differ in their approach to life and handling of emotions?

Elinor is mature, patient, level-headed, and in control of her emotions, while Marianne is passionate, impulsive, stubborn, and easily carried away by her feelings.

Q: What is Austen's critique of "sensibility" in the novel?

Austen criticizes the elevation of emotion over practicality and demonstrates, through the experiences of Elinor and Marianne, the value of emotional control and composure in dealing with love and disappointment.

Q: Can Marianne's intense infatuation with Willoughby be attributed to a psychological phenomenon?

Yes, Marianne's infatuation aligns with the psychological phenomenon of limerence, a heightened form of infatuation characterized by emotional dependence, obsessive thoughts, and an intense focus on the desired person.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austen's moralistic and didactic novel, centered around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their love interests, Edward and Willoughby.

• Elinor is depicted as mature, composed, and in control of her emotions, while Marianne is passionate, emotional, and easily swept away by her feelings.

• Austin's central message in the novel is a critique of sensibility and sentimentality, emphasizing the value of emotional control and composure, which is exemplified through Elinor's handling of romantic disappointment compared to Marianne's excessive emotions.