Gevoel en verstand

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25946

Title

Gevoel en verstand

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' explores the Dashwood sisters' struggle to maintain their fortune and dignity after their father's death. Set in Regency England, the novel contrasts the practical restraint of Elinor with the passionate impulsiveness of Marianne, examining themes of love, social class, and the harsh realities of inheritance laws.

Summary up to 500 words

Jane Austen's *Sense and Sensibility* (titled *Gevoel en verstand* in this Dutch edition) explores the delicate balance between rational judgment and emotional impulse through the lives of the Dashwood sisters. Following the death of their father, the Dashwoods face financial ruin when their uncle's will disinherits them, leaving the family with only a modest £4,000 annual income. Forced to leave their beloved home at Norland Park, they move to the residence of their brother, John Dashwood, and his mercenary wife, Fanny. While John initially promises financial aid, his wife's selfishness and his own lack of conviction leave the sisters dependent on their own resources. The narrative centers on the contrasting temperaments of the two eldest sisters. Elinor, the nineteen-year-old eldest, embodies 'sense'; she possesses a calm, rational nature, a strong sense of duty, and the ability to suppress her own feelings for the sake of her family's reputation. She secretly loves the clergyman Edward Ferrars but maintains a stoic composure even when he engages in a secret engagement with another woman. Conversely, Marianne represents 'sensibility.' Deeply emotional and romantic, she is prone to extremes of feeling. Her grief over her mother's death is intense, and she finds solace in nature and literature, often neglecting her health. Marianne becomes infatuated with the charming but morally flawed John Willoughby, while developing a complicated attachment to the steady, older Colonel Brandon. Marianne's reckless behavior leads to a severe illness after a scandalous relationship with Willoughby ends abruptly when he departs for America. This crisis forces a period of reflection, allowing Marianne to appreciate the genuine kindness of Colonel Brandon. Meanwhile, Elinor navigates the pain of her unrequited love and the complexities of her family's precarious situation with grace. The novel concludes with the resolution of these romantic entanglements: Marianne recovers and marries the devoted Colonel Brandon, while Elinor eventually marries Edward Ferrars. Through these resolutions, Austen demonstrates that true happiness requires a harmonious blend of sense and sensibility, rejecting the extremes of cold calculation and unchecked emotion in favor of a balanced, principled life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance
• Domestic Fiction