Who Is Elinor Dashwood Sensibility

Elinor Dashwood: Sensibility Despite the fact that Marianne shows her emotions outwardly, Elinor Dashwoods heart and actions ultimately exemplifies sensibility in Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility. Elinor expresses this through her actions towards Colonel Brandon, Willoughby and Lucy, her expectations from a husband, and her forgiveness and marriage to Edward Ferrars. Elinor Dashwoods character is seen as a person who takes careful calculations of her actions, is very stable, and thinks before she reacts. It is important to understand that despite these characteristics Elinor is full of sensibility because then will the reader understand how Elinor ends up forgiving Edward and marrying him. In the opening of this novel Elinor’s
Dashwood and her two sisters Elinor and Margaret Dashwood. Elinor being the type of person who is afraid of making a wrong decision for fear that it will affect her whole family looks to marry a gentleman of social and economic status. Elinor, who outwardly epitomizes sense, would more likely marry someone who is financially stable. One day while Edward was visiting; Elinor and Marianne are having a conversation about what type of men they want. Elinor states, ‘"As moderate as those of the rest of the world, I believe. I wish as well as every body else to be perfectly happy; but, like every body else it must be in my own way. Greatness will not make me so." "Strange that it would!" cried Marianne. "What have wealth or grandeur to do with happiness?" "Grandeur has but little," said Elinor, "but wealth has much to do with it."’ (Austen 90) Elinor seems to want someone who is stable and believes that wealth overshadows personality. Further into
Elinor sarcastically answers Lucy Steele questions about Lucy’s secret engagement to Edward. Elinor corners Lucy to get more info on Lucy’s engagement to Edward. Lucy begins to explain her situation and even asks Elinor for some advice. At one point during the conversation Lucy states, ‘“We must wait, it may be for many years. With almost every other man in the world, it would be an alarming prospect; but Edward's affection and constancy nothing can deprive me of I know."’(Austen 141) Elinor responds to this by saying, ‘"That conviction must be every thing to you; and he is undoubtedly supported by the same trust in your's. If the strength of your reciprocal attachment had failed, as between many people, and under many circumstances it naturally would during a four years' engagement, your situation would have been pitiable, indeed." Lucy here looked up; but Elinor was careful in guarding her countenance from every expression that could give her words a suspicious tendency.” (Austen 141) Elinor expresses her jealousy here. She begins to act clever with Lucy. She does not act sensible and leave the situation along but entice Lucy in order to find out more about her. Secondly, Elinor conveys sensibility with Colonel Brandon. Elinor listens to Colonel Brandon clear up the rumors of him having an illegitimate child. Elinor’s reaction to his story shows her sympathy for him, “He could say no more,