Sense & Sensibility | Summary & Analysis

I've really looked forward to talking about Sense & Sensibility with you all! It's been about 10 years since I last read it and I had so much fun producing this video. I hope you'll enjoy it! 😊
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:22 Chapter 1: The Dashwoods
05:55 Chapter 2: Moving to Devonshire
12:02 Chapter 3: Willoughby's Exit
16:45 Chapter 4: The Steele Sisters
19:49 Chapter 5: Off to London
27:20 Chapter 6: The Lucy Steele Problem
33:04 Chapter 7: Back to the Country
38:34 Chapter 8: Moving on
41:35 Chapter 9.1: Elinor & Marianne
44:12 Chapter 9.2: Elinor & Edward
48:45 Chapter 9.3: Marianne & Willoughby
52:38 Chapter 9.4: Marianne & Colonel Brandon
54:59 Chapter 10: Final thoughts
MY NOVELS
Leaves of Holly
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Garden of Silver
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(affiliate links ♥)
MUSIC
Tchaikovsky, "Walz of the flowers"
Bizet, "Habanera"
Kevin McLeod, "Enchanted Journey"
Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
ILLUSTRATIONS
By Christine M. Demain Hammond - Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ca...)
#janeausten #senseandsensibility

[@riverAmazonNZ]

I heard someone say that Brandon does make a good husband for Marianne if you look a bit closer. Marianne says she wants a man who feels deeply and does dashing romantic deeds. Brandon feels deeply over his lost love and even fought a duel, and raced out in the storm to fetch Marianne’s mother. Willoughby talks a good game but his deeds are nothing but self indulgent. Brandon backs up his feelings with his actions. He is actually the deep feeling man of dramatic deeds, he just doesn’t talk about it. He lives it.

[@ArnellaHobler]

That is a very good point. It also shows how perceptive Jane Austen was about human nature; how when we are young and naïve we are easily charmed by words - but as we grow and mature we learn that actions speak louder than words. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😊

[@disharibiswas1749]

I have always suspected that colonel Brandon was more passionate and expressive like Marianne before tragedy of love caught him.His conversation with Eleanor expresses such suppressed qualities despite his gloomy presentation.So it is possible that he will gradually regain his former cheerful nature from Marianne’s proximity and encouragement and in time will be a perfect match for her.

[@ArnellaHobler]

I didn't get that impression while reading, but I do like the thought of that. It certainly feels less tragic that way!

[@annabanana7298]

Certainly Alan Rickman chose to play him that way! He practically vibrated with sensibility repressed!

[@rebekahcopeland500]

it was the right of John and his wife to take up residence uponin heritance, but (and this was not made explicitin the novel (because it would have been well known at the time)) it was a breach of the elder Mrs Dashwood's time of mourning. That was the real source of the offence, just turning up without notice was salt in the wound.

[@ArnellaHobler]

That is true!

[@brucealanwilson4121]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[@hlodovikaGrabn]

Took me 25 years of a very toxic Willoughby before before I was free and, luckily, found a colonel Brandon. Marianne was so lucky to have avoided a total destruction on every level possible.

[@ArnellaHobler]

You are quite right, she really did dodge a bullet! And I'm happy to hear that you freed yourself and found happiness with a good partner 🥰

[@lenoraGrayce]

I really appreciate your analysis of this, my 2nd favorite Austen novel, especially what you said about Willoughby. Definitely more of a flawed antagonist, than a hand-twisting villian. However, I respectfully disagree about your assessment of Colonel Brandon’s reserved personality. I feel that at one time he was as passionate and spontaneous as Marianne herself. In fact, he had originally planned to run off and elope with his first love, Eliza, until fate and his family destroyed that plan. And after the tragedy of losing her, I feel, is when he becomes broken hearted, forlorn and reserved. And I did not get the impression that he fell in love with Marianne because of her age or her likeliness to Eliza, but because of her openness and spirited attitude. I feel that sparked in him the life he used to feel with Eliza. And yes, even though personality-wise, Brandon and Elinor would have been a good match…the heart wants what it wants and we’ve all heard the old adage that “Opposites attract”. Yes, the age difference is shocking to our modern sensibilities, but somewhat common for the time this was written.

[@ArnellaHobler]

You do make a good point! It makes sense that Brandon would have been more passionate and spontaneous in his youth, which then makes him more drawn to Marianne than Elinor. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@Pepperjack1986]

You know, I feel like there are some parallels between Colonel Brandon's and Marianne's developing relationship and Louisa's and Captain Benwick's relationship in Persuasion. Brandon and Benwick both loved and lost a lover who died and are now considered gloomy by others (difference being the length of time between losing their lover and falling in love again). They both fall in love with high-spirited much younger women who are initially deeply infatuated with another man. These women end up drawing them out of their gloom and making them feel hope for the future for the first time. Louisa and Marianne are both impetuous women who wear their hearts on their sleeves and who stubbornly refuse to listen to reason, causing both a great amount of harm, physical harm for Louisa by jumping off the stairs in Lyme and emotional harm that leads to physical harm for Marianne by ignoring Elinor's well-founded concern over her and Willoughby's behavior. Both women end up recovering from lengthy illnesses with these Byronic men at their side helping them heal, coming to care for them in time. Also, people take note of the camaraderie between Anne Elliott and Benwick (bonding over poetry and lost love), creating a short-lived romantic false lead trope, similarly to Elinor's camaraderie with Brandon creating the same.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Oh this a really good observation, so spot on! And I 100% agree. It makes me wonder whether Jane Austen perhaps knew a couple in real life who met and fell in love that way, and she found their story so inspiring that she paid homage to them in her books. It would be a very sweet thing if that were the case!

[@maryselstead7554]

Wow! Great analysis and comparison. I’ve never considered the similarities in those two couples! My two favorite Austen books…❤

[@rebeckatornkvist8856]

I’m reading this novel for school and your videos have been so helpful! I was quite lost, and you really managed to cleared it up. You can tell that you put a lot off effort into this and it really deserves a lot of credit!

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful! 🥰

[@Evastories608]

You study that at school??

[@LusiaEyre]

I think it would've been important to highlight the Dashwood ladies' circumstances by pointing out that they did not find their new cottage but it was offered to them. Before Mrs Dashwood's distant cousin Sir John Middleton reached out and offered them a cottage on his estate at a very good rate, they were having difficulties finding anything suitable for their wants, needs, and budget. And Fanny's remarks about Edward's marriage prospects only made the decision easier for Mrs Dashwood as she was reluctant to move so far away before.

[@ArnellaHobler]

It is a good detail, but I had to be a little frugal with some things (sadly) to save time. It's always tricky with summaries which details to keep and which to cut, while still doing the story justice.

[@MartinDSmith]

Lovely treatment of the novel!Elinor is a very strong character,rather like Anne from Persuasion and in that sense maybe you are right about Brandon being a better fit as he resembles to some extent Captain Wentworth.😃

[@ArnellaHobler]

Oh thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) and that's a good point, actually. I enjoy comparing Jane Austen's characters with one another as, sometimes, I feel like they could be friends if they had met in the same story. Anne and Elinor are a good example of that!

[@isabelladias787]

Love these videos. I listen to them like a podcast, and enjoy them thoroughly. ☺

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you so much! ☺ I do that with longer videos as well, having them in the background while cooking or cleaning is quite nice!

[@cminmd0041]

I think Dashwood is completely on board for cutting out his half sisters. That's why he keeps talking to Mrs Dashwood instead of actually DOING anything for them. He could have just written the check, but he wanted to be talked out of doing anything which is why he kept bringing what he should do up to Fanny. Fanny suggests one thing and instead of doing that he goes back and talks to her again where she LOWERS her suggestion. He keeps repeating the process until she matches what he wants to give them. But of course the real villain is the dead husband who like Mr Bennett doesn't prepare for his death at all.

[@ArnellaHobler]

You make a good point there! I think the struggle he had might be because of his promise to his father. He did not want to go back on his word, and was therefore looking for an "out" so to speak.

[@elisa4620]

I might not remember correctly but I think in the novel it explains why Mr Dashwood (the girls father) coudn't do more for the girls. That is also probably why he had his son promise (a very serious thing back then) to help them.

[@annabanana7298]

I agree! He died quickly after inheriting, before he could make arrangements for his second family. @@elisa4620

[@ChelseaJanzen]

Thank you for a lovely summary video!

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you too! 😊

[@alfredosolari7597]

Thank you very much indeed for your invaluable summary and analysis of this beautiful novel.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@conradjane8659]

Fantastic summary and analysis, delivered with a fitting aesthetic! You've earned my subscription. Cheers.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you! 🥰

[@Scary_asmr101]

Very nicely told and explained.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you! 😊

[@fennelwink]

I always thought Colonel Brandon and Elinor made a much better couple. I was baffled that it didnt go that way. Glad I'm not the only one.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

I have sometimes thought that Col. Brandon would gave been a better match for Mother Dashwood. They were closer in age.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Sadly, women of her age (as in not being able to get pregnant anymore) weren't as desired back then. Would have been far more likely today, though!

[@brucealanwilson4121]

@@ArnellaHobler Doesn't Col. Brandon have nephews to inherit? Wouldn't he prefer a nice sensible older woman rather than some silly little chit? And she was only 40. That isn't too old to have a kid. My grandmother had her last one when she was slmost 50.

[@AllieBee00]

@@brucealanwilson4121but you have to look at it in the lenses of this time, sure he had a nephew but it is almost always preferred your own children inherit your work and estate, and yes older women can have children but lack of modern medicine makes things risky and difficult. It’s a whole lot easier to have a 20 year old pop 5 kids than the 40 year old.

[@mercycunningham2813]

I love your analys but I believe you realy underestimate Cornel Brandon. He is in fact the only Austen hero I would marry. If you take a closer look, except from maybe beeing a bit shy with women he hasn't any big flaws. He certainly isn't a lady's man or a gambler like Mr Wickham. He is most likely not in active military duty like Captain Wentworth since he inherited the estate and is the male heir. So he won't get killed in a war. Bonus Brandon has an estate unlike a certain Mr. Ferris. It's not as good as Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley but Brandon is not as hard to please as Darcy nor as easy to distract as a Mr. Bingley. No, Brandon knows how to build wealth and is a good friend. Now does he match Marianne? I believe yes. Brandon followed his heart whenever he could. He distanced himself from his Family when they broke him and Eliza up and joined the military. He searched for his list love when he heard what happend to her and didn't abandon her nor her child. And he actually duelled Willoughby. That's a passionate man on my books. He isn't over sensetive and dramatic like Marianne but that's a good thing. Add to that that the Cornel is the only one (other than her family) who is really interested in Mariannes music and you got a good fit.

[@ArnellaHobler]

I think Jane did a good job justifying the match at the end of the book, where she explains that Marianne did in time grow to love Brandon with as much passion as she had once loved Willoughby. That they were - as you say - a good fit in the end. I suppose it's just his previous trauma that has tempered him a bit and made him more reserved.

[@barbaraludwiczak6798]

Yes! Brandon might be the most romantic of all Austen's men: falling in love at the early age, trying to elope with his young beloved to Scotland, removing himself so that his beloved could be happy with his brother, going on a far journey, coming back only to find his beloved dying, raising her love-child despite what 'people might think', falling in love with Marianne and silently suffering watching her disastrous relationship with Willoughby, fighting a duel - these are all elements of romantic hero. However, Jane Austen uses irony here because this most romantic hero is a) old bachelor, b) still in need of a flanel waistcoat But there is something more here - Brandon would not be a great match for an inexperienced 16 years old, that's very true. However, he becomes good for Marienne after her horrible love story with Willoughby. In that way they are each other's second attachments. So at the end of the novel, they are more equal - both past their first passions, and horrible heartbreaks. And the last thing - Marianne is said to resemble her mother. And just like her mother she marries a man that is much older than her. As for Willoughby - he might talk 'romantic', but marries for money.

[@LusiaEyre]

Eliza Williams wasn't 14 when Willoughby got her pregnant. She was around Marianne's age. Her mother died 14 years prior and she was 3 years old then. At 14 she was removed from school and placed in a household of a woman who looked after a few girls of similar age. She was there 2 years before going to Bath with a friend she met there.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thanks for the correction! I missed that somehow when making my notes!

[@garyfranck1753]

you forgot Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer, he was good

[@ArnellaHobler]

You are correct! Mr Palmer is a tricky one to play but he was indeed good!

[@adrianaalba440]

I enjoyed this video 🫶🏻

[@garnetmountain5163]

How old was Emma Thompson when she portrayed the 19 year old Lizzy and your thoughts on video portrayals of this guy's favorite Jane Austin's book. Mine is the 2008 bbc version.

[@ArnellaHobler]

I'm still yet to watch the 2008 version actually! But I've had a quick look at the cast and it looks promising, so I'm fairly certain I will like it! And Emma Thompson was apparently 36 years old in Sense & Sensibility, whereas Kate Winslet was 19.

[@garnetmountain5163]

Mixed up my character, sorry

[@ziegunerweiser]

evidence that romance is still alive and well in this day and age

[@briteddy9759]

Your take on the relationship between Marianne and Brandon aligns with mine. I am now a grandmother with a granddaughter Marianne’s age. I would be flying mad if a man in his mid thirties had design on my 16 year old granddaughter. It is sick and disturbing (disgusting)! I am not against bigger age differences in a relationship, but not when one of them is a teenager. That is not healthy. Brandon should have waited until Marianne was at least 20 before pursuing her. You and I are probably among the minority in our view on Marianne and Brandon. It seems like most think it is so romantic and also normal in that era. Maybe! You are also astute in your thoughts on whether Marianne would be happy in the long run. She would mature and settle down, but there could very well be a lingering desire fore something more…

[@ArnellaHobler]

It's always nice to hear someone agree with you! I share your opinion that Brandon should have waited a few more years, especially since she acted rather immaturely around him from the start (which made her young age all the more clear). Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@wandamercer6964]

When you get older, you will appreciate Persuasion more.

[@magorzataniewiadomska5914]

Charming as usually. I have been listening with much interest, however, this Austen's novel is my least favourite.

[@ArnellaHobler]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, even though it's your least favourite! That's what I love about Jane Austen novels, they're all high-quality books but it's subjective which ones we enjoy the most :)

[@Evastories608]

I don't understand. If Marianne did not love Brandon why did she marry him? Better alone than with a man who can't give you what you want.

[@ArnellaHobler]

From a modern day perspective - yes. But the setting for the novel is the 1790s, meaning there was no way for Marianne to support herself financially. Also, she did grow to love Brandon, even if it wasn't that instant infatuation/passion she had felt for Willoughby.

[@Evastories608]

@@ArnellaHobler I know that but still..... A little dessapointing. I much prefer the movie version where they fall for each other before marriage.

[@ArnellaHobler]

@@Evastories608 That's true, I have a soft spot for the movie version as well (no surprises there) 🥰

[@tymanung6382]

Great analysis of the story, but none of the real music that Jane Austen herself played. KZbin has at least 3 music + song videos of performances of music + songs in Jane A usten + family s music books collection. The late 1800s background music is absolutely NOT accurate. But this is perhaps now unchangeabl--- wrong decade, wrong composer, wrong country. Jane Austin could neither hear nor play this music.

[@ArnellaHobler]

I feel like I should explain that it was never my intention to have period-accurate music. I choose music for my videos based on ambiance (as well as it being easy on the ears). I can't use whatever I want, sadly, as I'm limited to what KZbin has a license for in the audio library in order to avoid copyright claims. I do appreciate your suggestion though!