Sense and Sensibility :: Literary Analysis, Jane Austen

Benevolent, willing, and knowledgeableare in all characteristics of Elinor Dashwood. Authors often use characteristics of characters to picture them as imperative pieces of the plot. In Jane Austens Sense and Sensibility, Elinor is shown as an measurable character through her compassion towards others and her willingness to help her family through difficult situations. Readers premiere see Elinors importance to the novel through her compassion towards Colonel Brandon, fanny Willoughby, and Edward Ferrars. When Colonel Brandon came into her life she treated him with very little compassion but as time went on Elinors compassion for him increased (47). Her compassion radiates through her determination to always engage in a conversation with him and whistle to Elinor, who often derived more satisfaction from conversing with him than from any other daily concomitant (145). by means ofout the novel the readers see that Elinor dislikes Willoughby but after he breaks Mariannes disli ke turns into abhor. However, when Willoughby comes to Cleveland to apologize and explain, Elinors heart, which had undergone many changes in the course of this preternatural conversation, was now softened again (292). Elinor has to deal with her own pain and spite from her rejection. When they return home from Cleveland Edward arrives and asks for forgiveness. Elinor bestows compassion upon Edward in the form of accepting his espousal proposal and then marrying him The first month after Edward and Elinors marriage (336). Through her compassion towards these three characters readers see the importance of her presence in the novel. contiguous the readers see how Elinor willingly helps her sister get through adversities in her life. Elinor was to be the poufer of others in her own distresses, no less than in theirs and all the comfort that could be given by assurances of her own composure of judicial decision (228). So therefore, Elinor unselfishly puts aside her emotions to comf ort Marianne after Willoughby rejects her and breaks her heart What spot attending me in all my misery, has this been your heart? (229). Marianne realizes that Elinor has known about Edwards engagement to Lucy, but she chose to put it behind her in order to comfort her. This pain has been weighing Elinors heart for four months, which makes it even harder for Marianne to understand. quadruplet monthscried Marianne againso calmso cheerfulhow have you been support? (229). Elinors answer to this inquiry shows clearly why she chose to be selfless and conceal her pain and I owed it to my family and friends, not to create in them a solicitude about me (229).