Miss Elinor Dashwood

a heroine for us all

Last month I finished reading Sense and Sensibility. During this Austen read, it felt as though I encountered the author for what she truly is for the first time. She is not just a writer of great love stories but a student of human nature.

While reading, I found myself in admiration of her character, Elinor Dashwood. Throughout, she was a gentle pillar of reason sharply contrasted against multiple characters of chaos:

“Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;—her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.”

In this story, the reader experiences the multiple situations in which Elinor’s sister, Marianne, has acted imprudently. One such and more innocent example is when Willoughby promises Marianne a horse and she immediately accepts without considering the fact that she has no stable or any resources available to do so. And not only does she entertain it, but then subjects Elinor to all of her fancied reveries:

"He intends to send his groom into Somersetshire immediately for it," she added, "and when it arrives we will ride every day. You shall share its use with me. Imagine to yourself, my dear Elinor, the delight of a gallop on some of these downs." Most unwilling was she to awaken from such a dream of felicity to comprehend all the unhappy truths which attended the affair;

If Marianne serves as Elinor’s character foil, then Edward is Elinor’s mirror. For example, when Marianne asks Edward how his fame should be established the following conversation takes place:

Edward:"I shall not attempt it. I have no wish to be distinguished; and have every reason to hope I never shall. Thank Heaven! I cannot be forced into genius and eloquence."

Marianne: "You have no ambition, I well know. Your wishes are all moderate."

Edward: "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."

Fictional characters give us the ability to self-reflect in a relaxed atmosphere. We are able to look at situations in which we are removed and are invited to ponder about each character’s reactions and interactions. In S&S, Elinor continually displays constancy of character; A trait viewed as dull to most of the world. Because that very trait leaves its possessor to “fade” into the background, it’s easy to be apathetic to this virtue. Being human, we can fall into the trap of imagining ourselves always doing the right things, but when it comes down to it, are we truly able to endure? The tragedy of this type of hero is they are often the only one in the room who doesn’t give into excess, which creates its own excess-a person who locks away their hopes and disappointments, to be carried alone. But I may argue, that like in this story, if this type of hero continues on in humble love, more often than not, it “catches” to those around them. Because Love moves.

Finally, Elinor is put to the fire whenever Miss Lucy Steele enters the story. Lucy pins Elinor as a rival and then befriends her in order to manipulate Elinor’s feelings. But there is our beloved Elinor, resolved towards goodness on her end. In one particular scene, Lucy asserts on Elinor to accompany her to see who Lucy hopes to be her own mother-in-law someday. Elinor has knowledge that could crush Lucy’s hopes but decides to stay quiet:

[Lucy speaking first:]"There is nobody here but you, that can feel for me.—I declare I can hardly stand. Good gracious!—In a moment I shall see the person that all my happiness depends on—that is to be my mother!"

Elinor could have given her immediate relief by suggesting the possibility of its being Miss Morton's mother, rather than her own, whom they were about to behold; but instead of doing that, she assured her, and with great sincerity, that she did pity her—to the utter amazement of Lucy, who, though really uncomfortable herself, hoped at least to be an object of irrepressible envy to Elinor.

Reader, in the end, Lucy’s reckless fortitude brings about a great blessing for Elinor; a lesson to carry in our hearts, to be used in our own hour of need.

“Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.” -Beatrix Potter

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” -Matt 5:9

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with righteous judgement” -John 7:24

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Some favorite quotes from the book:

“for when people are determined on a mode of conduct which they know to be wrong, they feel injured by the expectation of any thing better from them.”

“Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.”