The novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was written by Jane Austen, it was a story mainly about the Dashwoods Family. Henry and his son inherited the legacies from his wealthy uncle. Before Henry dies, his eldest son John promised he will take care of his siblings. After his death, John’s wife Fanny persuaded him not to help his sister, they then moved into uncle’s large estate Norland. The Dashwood women were unwelcomed, so they moved to Barton Cottage. Fanny’s brother was attracted by Elinor, and Sir John’s friend Colonel Brandon was attracted by Marianne, soon those romances had been rejected. Marianne fell in love with John Willoughby after an incident, but then Willoughby needed to go to London indefinitely. Lucy Steele told Elinor about her engagement with Edward. Marianne met Willoughby in London knowing that he engaged with a rich lady Ms. Grey for her money. Edward was disinherited in favor of Robert. Marianne walked in the rain and turned out to be sick. After she recovers, she marries Colonel Brandon, Elinor marries Edward.
Social status usually decides the degree of respect and the quality of life in the Victorian era. The unfortunate people in the lower class often chose to be a social climber, which means to change from their current class to a higher class through marriage. In the novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’, John Willoughby became poor after his wealthy aunt stopped supporting him financially. He escaped when he and Marianne Dashwood was just about to engage, and engaged with a wealthy lady Ms. Grey. Also, the Brandon brothers were born rich, Sr. Eliza Williams fell in love with Colonel Brandon, but she was required to marry the eldest Brandon brother. However, both John and Eliza became in the higher class when they were married to a rich person. The great majority of the social climbers did not have a perfect marriage. The reason for people being a social climber was because of their desperate necessity of wealth. In this kind of situation, the purpose of marriage was not for love, there were rarely real feelings for each other. The social climbers gave up the chance to find their true love for a better quality of life and respect, which could be lamentable.
The females in the Victorian era were helpless, they had no alternative but to follow the routine that the society had planned for them secretly. It is incorrect to say that the females were absolutely powerless, but the female’s situation was definitely awkward compared to men. The novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was based on an important background, it happened in the 18th to 19th century. During that age, women had no job, which means they had no income, the only way for them to live was to rely on men. Before the marriage they rely on their father, after marriage they rely on their husband. The phenomenon of relying on men means that the females lose their discourse power. For example, Lucy Steele had no choice but to marry a rich man. She and her sister Nancy were born poor, if they want to change their future, to rely on wealthy men was their only chance. If Lucy marries Robert, then her sister Nancy will be having more opportunities. Females were easily abandoned by men， like Marianne and Eliza the daughter. Females were a kind of dispensable thing to men at that time. Men must have understood that the majority of women need to rely on them, so they have the power to abandon a woman, but women cannot easily say no. This is a kind of inequality and unfairness to females. People should be aware of the independence and ability of females.
Greediness causes people to be unfortunate, the more we want the more we lose. Without being greedy towards higher social status and wealth, people’s lives will get better. In the novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’, Marianne Dashwood fell in love with John Willoughby. Marianne was poor, and Willoughby’s situation was a bit better with the support from his aunt. But just before they were about to engage, Willoughby went away, he secretly engaged with a rich lady Ms. Grey, because his aunt was not supporting him financially anymore. Actually, Willoughby lost a girl who really loves him and cares about him because of his desire for wealth. Lucy Steele was another example, she waited for Edward, a rich man for years. Edward Ferrars was born rich, Lucy was born poor, her purpose of engaging with Edward was for his money. For the marriage, Lucy can tolerate to save the secret of engagement for years, and she can tolerate waiting until marriage. But that is a waste of her precious youth. Her desire and greediness for wealth did not end as she wished. The result of excessive greediness is a loss.
In conclusion, the famous novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’ written by Jane Austen contained a variety of themes that can be reflected on the writing background, the Victorian era. Social status usually decides the degree of respect and the quality of life in the Victorian era. The unfortunate people in the lower class often chose to be a social climber, which means to change from their current class to a higher class through marriage. The females in the Victorian era were helpless, they had no alternative but to follow the routine that the society had planned for them secretly. It is incorrect to say that the females were absolutely powerless, but the female’s situation was definitely awkward compared to men. Greediness causes people to be unfortunate, the more we want the more we lose. Without being greedy towards higher social status and wealth, people’s lives will get better.
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