Sense and Sensibility

sense and sensibility questions

1. Early in the novel, Marianne tells Elinor her ideal of romantic love: I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both. Marianne means what she says at the time, but her creator, Jane Austen, is using the statement ironically. In what way does Austen intend Marianne’s statement ironically? How has Marianne’s view of love changed by the end of the novel, and what has changed it?

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This statement is ironic because Marianne does fall in love with her romantic equal. She and Willoughby enjoy the same art and literature.... and they equally throw caution to the wind. Willoughby sweeps Marianne off her feet, but unlike Marianne, Willoughby isn't willing to risk his standing for romance..... she gets dumped without word or pause for the sake of financial stability. In the end, Marianne finally comes to realize that "sweep you off your feet romance" isn't dependable love, and that love goes far deeper than the stories in novels. Colonel Brandon proves to Marianne that love, patience, and sometimes even the boredom are far more tangible proofs than excitement.

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Sense and Sensibility