Jane Austen discussion

I think I like Marianne better because she reminds me of myself- thats just me though. I want to see other peoples opinions.

I love Elinor. She is more like I am. I feel that she is so strong and did everything that she could to protect Marianne, while at the same time her heart was breaking for Edward. Elinor is much more serious and cool as well; while Marianne really didn't care what others thought, which was probably due to her age as well. She was a bit more carefree, until she had her heart broken and became ill.

I like Marianne, since she knows what she wants and goes for it. Perhaps Margaret learned from both of her sisters, and was a nice balance of both. :-)

I think you have to respect Elinor more, especially in our times. It's easy to be passionate and ruled by emotions, but not so easy to be patient and full of self-control. Elinor was obviously the stronger of the two.

This is a very hard question to answer. I like both characters for different reasons. I love Marianne because she lives her life with all her heart and soul, even to the point of despair. I love Elinor because she is so solid to her beliefs and convictions. She loves but a more desperate and silent type of love. Myself act probably a bit too much like Marianne at times, its probably why I like her best. I do not like it when I cause myself to suffer and take things and have to swallow everything all the time like Elinor. I feel sorry for her and do not like the weakness of her settling all the time for leftovers, even if it was her hearts dream and desire.

I like Elinor...because I am more like her. She is emotionally strong and takes care of her younger sister. As an older sister, I understand what she does and how she hides her own feelings and pain to protect the ones she loves. I like Marianne too, of course, but Elinor is more my speed.

I admire Elinor for her strength, courage and selflessness. I love Marianne's affectionate nature. By the end, they have grown somewhat closer in nature, as Elinor can allow more of her own affectionate nature to show through, and Marianne has learned more self-control.

Overall I like Elinor more, but the Marianne of the of the book is a very lovable creature.

I get really afraid of this question...I think I would like Margaret cos she grew up with "two sides of the coin" in a manner of speaking. : )
I can't really understand why Elinor is the strong one, she's just the older sister more likely. Hey maybe the two have a different taste in men. Then again, I don't know if the then English society allowed female indulgence in varying tastes. I got the impression it was more about a good match. They are both the same, Marianne and Elinor!!!!!!

It's hard for me to say which I like better. Both Elinor and Marianne each have endearing qualities. Elinor is strong and shows the most sense when it comes to areas of the heart. But on the other side, Marianne gives her love freely and loves passionately (and suffers passionately).

Both characters compliment each other (as previously mentioned) and I would probably not like either if the other sister wasn't included in the story. Elinor and Marianne are the best (and worst) of two worlds!

I feel the same way, Heather. While there are aspects of each girl that appeal to me, they are both flawed people (and, thus, pretty real). I admired how Marianne wasn't afraid to show her emotions, but I also appreciated the strength and motherliness of Elinor. These are characteristics that simply were not shown by the other sister until they started to grow and change near the end of the book.

I haven't put my finger on why yet, but the characters in S&S aren't as endearing to me as those in other JA novels, though. I think I just found some of the things that the characters did to be a bit irritating, and that stuck with me throughout the book. I hate that I feel this way, though, as I really wanted to love this story.

I like Marianne because she is forthright and true to her nature - she speaks her mind!

I respect Elinor for her belief that it is more important to listen first then speak your mind - but not to offend the listener because that person will stop talking to you if you do!

I am a fisrt born so I could identify a lot with Elinor. Her role in the family seemed to be the peacekeeper. I've been there!

I do have some of Marianne's traits - talking before thinking...too trusting...

I enjoyed reading this book. It's been a very long time since my first reading!

Renee-
As the oldest in my family (of 7 children!!), I was always the mediator (and still am). This position on my family can be somewhat tiring at times. I feel for Elinor.

I know that Austen wants us to like Elinor, and I do. Marianne is lovely and ferociously loyal, but such a bleeping headache. Elinor is my pick, besides I like her shy husband. Brandon is eeeever so slightly creepy. Better to be Elinor.

I like Elinor better, Marianne is quite shallow. I mean she fell in "love" before even knowing the guy saying there was no way that someone so charming could end up bad.

Katie wrote: "I like Elinor better, Marianne is quite shallow. I mean she fell in "love" before even knowing the guy saying there was no way that someone so charming could end up bad. "

That is true, but you have to remember her age. Everyone matures differently, and she happens to be shallow at her age. I don't have a favorite. I love Elinor and how mature and sensible she is, but I love how Marianne is romantic.

Elinor was more mature and realistic, but Marianne was a dreamer and thus more likable :)

I found it quite the contrary, Marianne was a dreamer to the point of dreaming only of herself and her wants. She was quick to judge and pretty selfish and I didn't like her very much. Elinor has her faults too, but I liked her more than Marianne.

I know much of this depends on her age and maturity, but it's just how I feel.

This is a very easy question for me. It's the youngest. Margaret would make my favorite herione if she was allowed to grow up. Come one; she wanted to be a pirate!!! How awesome is that?

If you can vote for Margaret, then I'll cast a vote for Mrs. Jennings. She is really so much better than she was portrayed by Ang Lee in his film adaptation.

Laura Ashlee wrote: "I found it quite the contrary, Marianne was a dreamer to the point of dreaming only of herself and her wants. She was quick to judge and pretty selfish and I didn't like her very much. Elinor has h..."

That is true, I think I already said it on here, but Marianne was my favorite at first, but I can't choose now. I love how Elinor is mature and realistic, but I love how Marianne dreams. I agree that she was quick to judge and selfish but I like her anyway. She isn't my favorite, but neither is Elinor. I don't have a favorite, but as a person, I would hope that I am like both of them, I just hope that I have a balance somewhere in there.

I used to like Marianne better because she was more like myself, but now that I'm older I think I might have become more like Elinor. I still think that Marianne is a bit more "fun" to read, but I'd say I like both equally now.

I love both. They're practically polar opposites in terms of personality and preferences. I am a lot more like Marianne but I strive to have a realistic attitude like Elinor. In that sense, I do relate to both.

I didn't like Marianne that much, I thought her selfish and irresponsible in a way that was jeopardizing the stability of people around her and exposing her family to derision and gossip.
There is good side to her character, she loves life and wastes no time to enjoy it - still it often gets her into troubles.
Elinor is much poised and enduring, she is nurturing and caring. Age has nothing to do with it, it's up to one to decide which way to go.
And I believe being a Marianne does no one good in any time. Not back then, and certainly not nowadays. It's good we see her mature; again, it has nothing to do with age. She just learnt her lesson and that made her realize how faulty her over sensibility was.

I find it interesting that people often prefer the sister they are the most like. I have to say that is also true for me. Elinor is my favorite because she is mature, responsible and selfless. My mother says I was "born 35" so I obviously relate more to Elinor.

Ms Sweetish, I think you're right about being a Marianne. It's not good and it's only gotten me into trouble time and time again. This is why I think the sisters are so endearing. Many people can relate to both or the struggles they're going through. They're still very real personalities, and I think Austen's a genius in that regard for creating them.

Ms Sweetish wrote: "I didn't like Marianne that much, I thought her selfish and irresponsible in a way that was jeopardizing the stability of people around her and exposing her family to derision and gossip.
There is ..."

I also agree. I admired Elinor and though Marianne may have been the one others thought was more outwardly pretty and fun to be around, Elinor is the one I would want as my best friend. She's also the kind of person I would want to be like.

When I first read S&S when I was around thirty, I LOVED Marianne and thus, really did not understand Elinor at all. Back then (I am 40ish now), I was definitely a Marianne clone: always passionately jumping into things without regard of the consequences, believing that love will conquer all, and we all have only one true love. I still love her spirit, zest for life, love of poetry, and I am still in essence still most like her, but I have learned, learned the hard way, but learned. So, I appreciate Elinor now and would love to be more like her, but alas, I am not and will never be.

I have recently realized that Sense and Sensibility has to be my favorite of Austen's novels. I think this dichotomy between the female characters, along with the discoveries they make in love, really pull me in and personalize it for me. I do love Persuasion as well, though, but relate more to S&S.

This Valentine's Day my husband surprised me with an 1864 first Tauchnitz edition of Sense and Sensibility. I was floored and then asked, "How did you know this was my favorite Austen novel? He replied, "I didn't. It was the best old printing of her works I could find." Boy, was I one happy girl! Best gift I've ever received...

Wow Susan, I'm so jealous! What a great present! I'm with you in that S&S is my favourite Austen novel too and I love Marianne's spirit but I was sad that she had to suppress it somewhat by the end of the novel in order to be acceptable. (by the way the best present my husband ever got me was a first edition of a collection of poems by Sylvia Plath - I wish he'd take the hint that I REALLY like those kinds of presents!)

That's a great present for sure, Susan! You have a thoughtful hubby. : )
I see parts of both sisters in myself, but definitely more Elinor--at least now, at this period of my life.
And I'm glad to say that, because being a Marianne is emotionally exhausting! : )
I don't know if anyone else is like this, but whatever Austen book I'm reading seems to be my "favorite." I enjoy each one so much, and so differently, that I always feel like, 'ah' this is the one, while I'm reading. Right now I'm reading Mansfield Park again, and yup, feeling like it's my favorite!
Linore
http://www.LinoreBurkard.com
PS: I run a Jane Austen contest in each issue of my free monthly magazine--and for the whole month of March I'm running a contest for new subscribers. You could win a free book, including possibly a hardcover (of one of my books) and even Esther Price chocolate-covered potato chips. Subscribe at my homepage to be automatically entered.

Georgie wrote: "Wow Susan, I'm so jealous! What a great present! I'm with you in that S&S is my favourite Austen novel too and I love Marianne's spirit but I was sad that she had to suppress it somewhat by the en..."
Glad you agree, Georgie! It was sad that she was forced to suppress her spirit in the end, but I personally believe that it is necessary as we go through life and heartbreak to become more realistic and see people for who they truly are, not just the exterior version of themselves i.e. Colonel Brandon in his "old age" and boring old strength of character vs. dashing, handsome Willoughby (dashing away that is) ;).

I think my husband did get the hint when he saw my face when I opened the gift.

Linore-I do sometimes want to change my favorite book whenever I am reading Austen's novels. They are all so different and engaging, it's tempting. But when I step back after I am done reading, it is always Sense and Sensibility that I come back to.

I have always admired Elinor. She was such a strong character. She took on so much burden on to her shoulders as well as responsiblity when her father passed.

She always put others before herself. She was much more reserved the Marianne.

I once took a Jane Austen quiz and it turns out I am much more like Elinor then I thought I was (I am also like Anne Elliot when I took another quiz). I couldn't have been more pleased to be like them. They are similiar in lots of way.

Even though I am a fan of Elinor that doesn't mean I don't like Marianne. On the contrary, I loved her girly silliness when it came to finding love and dreaming of romance. We really can't fault her for choosing Willougby. After all, all good girls have been known to love all those bad boys.

Yes, and I took that quiz and I am like Elinor too. That's a fun quiz. I think, despite feeling the current read is my favorite, that my all-time favorite really is Mansfield Park. Not one of Jane's most popular, but I just love the insightful writing and the way she slowly circles in on the truth about people and who they really are at heart.

Is that quiz on the Goodreads site?

I can't remember where I took that quiz. I am always on The Republic of Pemberley website and I took both quizzes after a fellow Pemberleand posted the link.

Sorry :-(!

I like your comments about Mansfield Park and I have to say I agree....it is not one of her most popular novels but I like how she does slowly focus on the truth about people and who they really are at heart!

Fabulous insight on that novel!

Thanks, Lisa. Some people don't get her genius, but for those of us who do, she is such a delight and a treat to read. One Amazon reviewer called my books, "Jane Austen Lite" and I was so thrilled and honored! I don't try to copy her style at all, don't get me wrong, but it was still a marvelous compliment!

About that quiz. It's probably on the Republic of Pemberley site. Lots of bloggers use it, too. Try a Google search for "Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?" and see if that brings it up. Hope you find it!

Thanks - I'll have a look.

That was fun - it seems I'm most like Marianne Dashwood which I'm rather pleased about.

So am I, Georgie! surprise, surprise....:)