10 things you didn't know about Sense and Sensibility

1. The original title was Elinor and Marianne. (Note: Many women were writing novels during the 18^th century and entitled their books with the names of their heroines. However, most of these novels were didactic (meant to teach a moral or religious lesson) in nature. Austen’s novel did not fit into this genre. Perhaps this is why she changed the title to Sense and Sensibility!)

2. S&S is the only Austen novel to have two heroines.

Marianne's Romantic Rescue. (Illustration Source)

3. Austen began a version of this story between 1795-97, when she in her late teens and early twenties (around the age of Elinor Dashwood!).

4. Sense and Sensibility was Austen’s first novel to be published.

5.  The novel wasn’t published until 1811, when Austen was 36 years old.

6. Sense and Sensibility was published under the pseudonym “A Lady.” In fact, Austen’s identity as the author of her novels was not revealed until after her death!

7. She earned 140 pounds from the publication. This is approximately $8900 today.

(Perspective: Jane, her mother, and sister Cassandra’s combined income was only 450 pounds year).

8. It is a loose parody of a “Sentimental Novel,” a popular genre during Austen’s time (especially in her teens and early twenties). (Want to know more about the Sentimental novel? Scroll down to read more!)

9. One biographer argues that the character of Marianne Dashwood is based on Jane’s own personality (Park Honan Jane Austen: Her Life 279).

10. Biographer Honan also tells us that Jane called Sense and Sensibility “her child.”



BONUS: The Sentimental Novel

The Sentimental Novel was a very popular genre at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th. In fact, popular themes and ideas from this genre can be seen into the Victorian era as well (1850-1900).

Austen pushed against the ideals found in the Sentimental Novel which included:

--Damsels in distress "given to sudden passions, fits of weeping and fainting, and acts of wild generosity."
--Characters who were "virtuous and unselfish," even unrealistically so (ie. no one can be that  good!).
--Characters who fall passionately in love "at first sight" or experience " instant passionate declaration of friendship" (best friends for EVERRR!).  
--Characters that valued "passion" and "feelings" above reason (sense vs. sensibility, anyone?).

The editor of my edition of S&S states that “[o]ne of her most recurrent themes [in Austen's novels] is the ‘Sentimental Novel’ and the dangerous emotions it expressed and encouraged” (emphasis added). 

Interesting facts, right? Keep an eye out for these elements that Austen is gently poking fun at throughout the novel! 

All quotes about the Sentimental Novel from:

 Drabble, Margaret. "Introduction." Sense and Sensibility. By Jane Austen. 1811. London: Signet   Classics, 2008. Print.