Polar Opposites in the Novel Sense or Sensibility

Finally, her judgment... ... middle of paper ... ...ves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby.” (203.III. XIV) Marianne is not a perfect character, but her emotions and spirit add a depth and realness that jumps off the page. Her ethical code of values allows her find balance and saves her from tragedy. It is Marianne’s conversion in Sense and Sensibility that holds the novel together and where the lesson lies. The romantic appeal of Marianne as a heroine is strong; readers must ascertain a balance of sense and sensibility along side Marianne.

Irrational Love Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and the importance of commitment in life Emily Bronte, a skilled novelist, is able to toy with the minds of her readers by forcing them to sympathize for an irrational love story in her one and only novel, Wuthering Heights. As readers, we are drawn to the love and passion possessed by Heathcliff and Catherine, even though it represents evil and flawed love. Through this, Bronte forces us to reconsider the definition of “true love”. As opposed to most scholars’ readings of the novel, I strongly believe that Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights privileges the tortured relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine over the healthier, more stable relationship of Cathy and Hareton. Cathy and Hareton’s relationship represents a compromise of sorts for Bronte, a socially acceptable love that’s nevertheless not as deeply felt as Heathcliff’s and Catherine’s.

Arguably one of Jane Austen’s most iconic novels, Pride and Prejudice, tells a story of an unlikely romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. What makes this novel so wonderful is the characters and their interactions. In chapter fifty-nine, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have become engaged. This chapter is wonderful and necessary to the novel for the description of Elizabeth’s true emotion and the reactions of Elizabeth’s family after they learn Elizabeth is engaged to Mr. Darcy. Chapter fifty-nine displays Elizabeth who secretly becomes engaged and then becomes apprehensive in revealing the information to her family.

“it was rather a trial to appear thus formally summoned in Mr. Rochester’s presence” It is obvious to the reader what is going to happen and frustrating that Jane will not admit that she likes him this is very typical of a romance. It follows on conforming to the romance stereotype when Jane admits her feelings but something gets in the way. At first this is Blanche Ingram, Jane is convinced by things people have said that she is going to Marry Mr. Rochester. “And did I now think Miss Ingram such a choice as Mr. Rochester would be likely to make?” This is providing a barrier against them getting together in the straight forward way of just Blanche Ingram but she also stands to represent looks and class. She is a lot prettier than Jane and this tests Mr. Rochester to see if he is the deep thinking man Jane thinks he is.

Their Cinderella story ends in happily-ever-after, as does Elizabeth's and Darcy's. Elizabeth's defiance of Lady Catherine recalls Meg's defiance of her aunt in Little Women, and Darcy's willingness to accept Elizabeth despite the inferiority of her connections is a triumph of conventional romantic-novel expectations. One of the most striking examples of Austen's satire is her emphasis on reason, as opposed to the wanton passion lauded into the bulk of romantic novels. Lydia and Wickham's marriage is seen as a triumph of their "passions" over their "virtue", and she is certain that "little permanent happiness" can arise from such a union. This is exemplified by Wickham's continuance of his extravagant habits, and the degeneracy of any feelings between them to indifference.

For this reason she appears to be a perfect role model for her sister Marianne, the “Sensibility” of the novel’s title. Austen presents Marianne as fresh, uninhibited and uncomplicated. We are told, “Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects quite equal to Elinor’s… She was generous amiable, interesting…” But, “She was everything but prudent”. From this we see that Marianne is ruled entirely by her heart. However, during the coarse of the novel we see different sides to the sisters’ personalities making the statement in the essay title only partly true, as some incidents, most obviously the ironic ending, reveal to us that some role-reversal can take place.

However, Austen makes it evident Charlotte is equally aware of her motives towards the marriage, as she commits to Mr. Collins for her “disinterested desire of gaining an establishment” (Austen 97). The potential for property and financial freedom clouts all other reason for marriage and leaves Charlotte blindly accepting his offer, even though her prospect of future happiness remains inauspicious. Austen is giving the stereotypical version of the nineteenth century marriage; it is one of marrying for the prospect of higher societal grounds, and it becomes a pure “want o... ... middle of paper ... ...st in the midst of misery. It is possible to attain this status, yet it must be by the companionship of two people alongside the glorification of the individual. The individual must be content in order for the couple as a whole to function properly.

But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes” (Austen 19) In contrast, Charlotte Lucus personifies a very opposing view of marriage than... ... middle of paper ... ...ates how she is equal with Darcy "In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal. "(Austen, 208). This shows how she sees past Darcy’s social rank and truly loves him for his quality of character It appears in the characters of Mrs. Bennet, Charlotte Lucus, and Mr. Collins that marriage is one based upon financial prosperity and social advancement. However, it is Elizabeth Bennet who portrays an opposing view to the societal norm during 19th century England.

Her mother, who views the match as advantageous, is outraged and expresses her grief to Mr. Bennet, ?Nobody can tell what I suffer! - But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied? (Austen 130). Austen?s criticism is clarified by Mrs. Bennet?s obsession with marriage, ?The business of her life was to get her daughters married?

Austen introduces us to Mr and Mrs Bennet in order to communicate key ingredients she believes necessary for marriage. We realise very quickly Mrs Bennets frivolous, foolish character is ill suited to the calm, intelligent, introverted personality of Mr Bennet. We learn that they married quickly, in a rush of lust, and that it wasn't until after wedlock Mr Bennet discovered the unsuitability of his bride. Mr Bennet who 'was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice' is totally incompatible with his spouse, 'a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.' As a means for coping with the irritation his wife's ... ... middle of paper ... ...ily money together.