2025/08/22 Sense and Sensibility
Let’s begin today’s tale with the story of the Dashwood family. When Mr. Henry Dashwood passes away, his second wife and their three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, find themselves with little money and no home. The family estate, Norland Park, goes to Henry’s son from his first marriage, John Dashwood. Influenced by his greedy wife, Fanny, John doesn’t keep his promise to support his stepmother and stepsisters, leaving them in a tough spot. Thankfully, a distant relative, Sir John Middleton, offers the Dashwood women a cottage in Devonshire.
Sir John and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, welcome the Dashwoods warmly to Barton Cottage. At Barton Park, they meet Colonel Brandon, a quiet older man who falls in love with Marianne. However, Marianne thinks he is too old for romance. During a walk, Marianne sprains her ankle and is carried home by the charming John Willoughby. Their quick romance sparks rumors of an engagement, but Willoughby soon leaves for London without any explanation, breaking Marianne’s heart.
Fanny Dashwood’s brother, Edward Ferrars, visits the Dashwoods at Barton Cottage. Elinor has grown close to Edward, but he starts acting distant, making her doubt his feelings. Around this time, Anne and Lucy Steele arrive at Barton. Elinor learns that Lucy has been secretly engaged to Edward for nearly four years. Although heartbroken, Elinor keeps the secret and tries to move on.
Mrs. Jennings invites Elinor and Marianne to her home in London. Marianne hopes to see Willoughby again, but he coldly dismisses her at a party. Soon after, Willoughby writes to Marianne, ending their relationship and announcing his engagement to a wealthy heiress, Miss Grey. Colonel Brandon reveals to Elinor that Willoughby had previously seduced and abandoned his ward, Eliza Williams.
Lucy Steele and Edward’s secret engagement eventually becomes public, leading to Edward being disinherited by his mother. Despite this, Colonel Brandon offers Edward a modest income as a clergyman on his estate. Meanwhile, Marianne becomes very ill while visiting Cleveland, the home of Mrs. Jennings’ daughter. Colonel Brandon fetches Mrs. Dashwood, and Willoughby visits Marianne, seeking forgiveness. She listens to him but refuses to forgive.
After recovering, Marianne realizes she needs to be more practical, like Elinor. The Dashwoods initially think that Lucy Steele has married Edward Ferrars, only to discover that she married Edward’s brother, Robert, after Edward was disinherited. Edward then proposes to Elinor, who joyfully accepts.
Elinor and Edward marry and settle into a peaceful life at Delaford parsonage. Marianne, now wiser, falls in love with Colonel Brandon, and they eventually marry.
An adaptation of the novel Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.
Adapted by Prgati Singh.