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Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen. A popular English novelist during the 19 th century, though she published anonymously. All six of her novels are novels of manners :
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Jane Austen • A popular English novelist during the 19th century, though she published anonymously. • All six of her novels are novels of manners: • A novel that thoroughly describes the customs, behaviors, habits, and expectations of a certain social group at a specific time and place. Often the novel of manners is satiric, and is always realistic in depiction. • Austen’s greatest satiric tool is irony.
Sense and Sensibility: Social Satire • Sense VERSUS Sensibility • Marianne Dashwood relies on sensibility instead of sense (like her sister Elinor Dashwood), meaning that she is very sensitive and emotional. • Sensibility was a popular quality in women, but ladies often went to self-indulgent extremes, which is what Austen satirizes in Sense and Sensibility.
Sense and Sensibility: Social Satire, cont. • Exposes and criticizes the limitations of women during 19th century England: • No chance for high education. • Not directly involved in politics. • No professions, expected to stay at home. • Could not own property. • Women had to rely on marriage to secure social positions and financial stability for the future.
William Hogarth’s Marriage A-la-Modehttp://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/hogarths-marriage-a-la-mode.html
Sense and Sensibility • Mr. Henry Dashwood dies and leaves all his money to his first wife's son John Dashwood, who is married to Fanny. • Mr. Henry Dashwood’s widow, Mrs. Dashwood, and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, are left with no permanent home and very little income.