Emma Woodhouse, already wealthy and secure, marries 37-year-old George Knightley, a man not only from her own class, but from her extended family; and Marianne Dashwood loses her heart to a charming young wastrel, but then marries the virtuous Colonel Brandon, a man of property twice her age.
In this conflict, Elinor, a reserved, practical, and thoughtful young woman who embodies the "sense" of the title, is juxtaposed to her flighty younger sister Marianne who embodies "sensibility".
John Willoughby first appears in Sense and Sensibility when he rescues Marianne Dashwood after she falls down a hill and twists her ankle during a rainstorm.
The 16-year-old second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood, she embodies the "sensibility" of the title, as opposed to her elder sister Elinor’s "sense".
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When Marianne is helped by the dashing John Willoughby, she falls deeply and sincerely in love with him, abhorring all society's demands, and ignoring her sister’s rational warnings that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo.
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She acts exactly as she feels, thus making herself and everyone around her miserable when Willoughby leaves her, as opposed to her sister, who keeps the secret of Edward’s prior engagement to another in quiet, thoughtful composure.
Marianne Faithfull | Marianne Moore | Marianne Williamson | Marianne North | Marianne Island | Francis Dashwood, 15th Baron le Despencer | Princess Marianne of Prussia | Marianne Jean-Baptiste | Marianne Huguenin | Marianne Dashwood | Marianne White-eye | Marianne Rosenberg | Marianne Mithun | Marianne Limpert | Marianne Gravatte | Marianne Edwards | Marianne Dissard | Marianne des Français series | Francis Dashwood | Elinor Dashwood | Sir John Dashwood-King, 4th Baronet | Sir John Dashwood-King | Sir George Dashwood, 5th Baronet | Marianne Weber | Marianne Suhr | Marianne Schroeder | Marianne Saliba | Marianne Pitzen | Marianne Pistohlkors | Marianne Oswald |