AComparativeStudyofElinorandMariannefromthePerspectiveofFeminism

【Abstract】Sense and Sensibility is the first novel written by Jane Austen. The Dashwood sisters as heroines in this novel represent respectively “sense” and “sensibility” and are both Feminist in their period. In this thesis they will be analyzed from the perspective of feminism criticism， in general from the analysis of their different personality and in details from their behaviors.

【Key words】Sense and Sensibility； Elinor； Marianne； Comparative study； Feminism

【作者簡介】徐晨玨，南京工業大學。

1. Introduction

Sense and Sensibility is a novel written by Jane Austen that was first published in 1811.Jane Austen is one of the most famous writers of feminist literature in United Kingdom of late 18th century and early 19th century. “Sense” in the book means good judgment or prudence， and “sensibility” means sensitivity or emotionality. “Sense” is identified with the character of Elinor， while “sensibility” is identified with the character of Marianne.Dashwood sisters are the most important heroines， who have given many women the meanings and the attitude to their love and marriage， and given women some examples of the attitude to their life and the society. .

2. The Theory of Feminism Criticism

Feminist criticism is concerned with the impact of gender on writing and reading. It usually begins with a critique of patriarchal culture. It is concerned with the place of female writers in the cannon. Feminism， which first appeared in France， means that the women must have the same right， the same power， the same social status and the same opportunity as men. Then it spread to England and America even to the whole of the world， and it became popular immediately. Later， it influenced China through the medium of Japan.

3. The Comparative Study of Elinor and Marianne from the Feminism Perspective

3.1 The different personality of Elinor and Marianne

Elinor， her self-recognition abilities，self-respect ability and rational judgment are all implicit criticism both of feminine triviality. She was the heroine at that time. She had got a strong feminism consciousness， this thought made her become self-confident， independent and self-control. Marianne was a woman of spontaneity， excessive sensibility， love of nature， and romantic idealism. She oppose all the things happened around her， and she knows that this happened because of the society， but she was not afraid of this. This is obvious feminist.

3.2 Responses to others

Elinor is friendly and considerate， so she seldom fights and quarrels with the people around her. Compared to her mother and sister， she must deal with her own and make her family in a pragmatic， politely restrained， and socially conventional way. However Marianne pays no attention to others， she just wants to say what she wants. Marianne disliked other person saying something about herself and her elder sister， So Marianne protests herself and her sister when they were looked down upon. She has rebellious spirit.

3.3 Reactions in love

When Elinor fell in love with Edward， the families and the other people all believed they would get married in the future. But Elinor had her own opinion in mind. Even though her love Erward deeply， she knew there was something wrong with Edward. This illustrated that she did not want this will influence her family. So she had a very strong self-control. In contrast， Marianne fell deeply and sincerely in love with John Willoughby，. She ignored all barriers—even barriers of propriety. Her sorrows， her joys， her antipathy and her love will have no moderation—no concealing.

4. Conclusion

Dashwood sisters， who have given many women the meanings and the attitude to their love and marriage， and given women some examples of the attitude to their life and th society. Thats because Dashwood Sisters are not only the heroines in the novel but also the feminist women at that time of England. Dashwood sisters are not completely； they are just independent in thoughts. They did not fight against the inequality with the men； they paid more attention to the environment they live.

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