1800
After their father's death leaves them impoverished, the Dashwood women—Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret—are forced to leave their home, Norland Park, and relocate to the modest Barton Cottage. Elinor, the eldest, quietly harbors feelings for Edward Ferrars, her sister-in-law Fanny's brother, but their potential attachment is complicated by his family's disapproval and a secret engagement to Lucy Steele. Marianne, the romantic middle sister, falls passionately in love with the dashing John Willoughby, but he abruptly abandons her for a wealthier marriage, leaving her heartbroken and ill. Through these trials, Elinor maintains her composure, while Marianne learns to temper her impulsive nature, ultimately finding a more stable love with the steadfast Colonel Brandon, and Elinor is finally free to marry Edward after Lucy breaks their engagement to marry his wealthier brother.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters as they cope with loss, financial hardship, and romantic upheaval after their father’s death.
Open full beat sheetElinor Dashwood is listed as Eldest daughter. Sensible, reserved, and responsible. In the parsed data, Elinor Dashwood is connected to 64 scenes, 121 dialogue lines, 121 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
64 scenes / 121 dialogue linesMarianne Dashwood is listed as Middle daughter. Romantic, passionate, and impulsive. In the parsed data, Marianne Dashwood is connected to 60 scenes, 81 dialogue lines, 82 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
60 scenes / 81 dialogue linesMrs. Dashwood is listed as Matriarch. Devoted mother, emotional and protective. In the parsed data, Mrs. Dashwood is connected to 32 scenes, 48 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
32 scenes / 48 dialogue linesMrs. Jennings is listed as Mother-in-law to Sir John. Gossip-loving, meddlesome, and kind-hearted. In the parsed data, Mrs. Jennings is connected to 26 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
26 scenes / 37 dialogue linesMargaret Dashwood is listed as Youngest daughter. Adventurous, tomboyish, and curious. In the parsed data, Margaret Dashwood is connected to 26 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
26 scenes / 10 dialogue linesColonel Brandon is listed as Friend of Sir John. Melancholy, honorable, and wealthy. In the parsed data, Colonel Brandon is connected to 22 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 50 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
22 scenes / 35 dialogue linesLucy Steele is listed as Cousin to Mrs. Jennings. Calculating, ambitious, and secretive. In the parsed data, Lucy Steele is connected to 16 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
16 scenes / 29 dialogue linesJohn Willoughby is listed as Suitor. Charming, handsome, and ultimately fickle. In the parsed data, John Willoughby is connected to 15 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
15 scenes / 36 dialogue linesCharlotte Palmer is listed as Daughter of Mrs. Jennings. Talkative and somewhat oblivious. In the parsed data, Charlotte Palmer is connected to 12 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
12 scenes / 22 dialogue linesThomas is listed as Manservant. Loyal servant to the Dashwood family. In the parsed data, Thomas is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMr. Palmer is listed as Husband of Charlotte. Cynical, dry-witted, and often annoyed. In the parsed data, Mr. Palmer is connected to 11 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
11 scenes / 10 dialogue linesSir John Middleton is listed as Cousin to Mrs. Dashwood. Boisterous, hospitable, and loud. In the parsed data, Sir John Middleton is connected to 10 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
10 scenes / 6 dialogue linesFanny Dashwood is listed as John's wife. Selfish, manipulative, and status-conscious. In the parsed data, Fanny Dashwood is connected to 10 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
10 scenes / 5 dialogue linesJohn Dashwood is listed as Son of Mr. Dashwood. Pompous, anxious, and easily influenced by his wife. In the parsed data, John Dashwood is connected to 8 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
8 scenes / 8 dialogue linesEdward Ferrars is listed as Fanny's brother. Kind, reserved, and honorable. In the parsed data, Edward Ferrars is connected to 7 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
7 scenes / 28 dialogue linesBetsy is listed as Maid. Hardworking servant. In the parsed data, Betsy is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 82.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRobert Ferrars is listed as Brother of Edward. Vain, vacuous, and arrogant. In the parsed data, Robert Ferrars is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 57.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMr. Dashwood is listed as Patriarch. Dying man, concerned for his wife and daughters. In the parsed data, Mr. Dashwood is connected to 1 scene, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMr Dashwood is dying and asks his son John to look after his wife and daughters.
Mr. Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, John Dashwood, ThomasJohn and Fanny discuss how much money to give the Dashwood women.
John Dashwood, Fanny DashwoodMrs Dashwood and Elinor discuss their impending eviction.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor DashwoodEdward helps Margaret come out of hiding by playing a game about geography.
Edward Ferrars, Elinor Dashwood, Margaret DashwoodMrs. Dashwood receives a letter from Sir John Middleton offering them a cottage, while discussing Edward and Elinor's potential attachment.
Mrs. Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodMarianne teases Elinor about Edward and questions her feelings for him.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodFanny manipulates Mrs. Dashwood into believing Edward's marriage to Elinor would be his ruin.
Mrs. Dashwood, Fanny DashwoodMrs. Dashwood retrieves the letter from Sir John, now anxious.
Mrs. DashwoodMrs. Dashwood announces the family's move to Barton Cottage.
John Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Fanny DashwoodEdward attempts to speak to Elinor before being interrupted by Fanny.
Elinor Dashwood, Fanny Dashwood, Edward FerrarsThe Dashwoods travel to Barton Cottage in the rain.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret DashwoodThe Dashwoods arrive at Barton Cottage and meet Sir John and Mrs. Jennings.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Thomas, BetsyThe Dashwoods dine with Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, who tease them about suitors.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Sir John Middleton, Mrs. JenningsMarianne plays the piano; Colonel Brandon arrives and is captivated.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Sir John Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, Colonel BrandonThe Dashwood family is on a picnic. Marianne struggles to cut bulrushes until Colonel Brandon assists her.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Thomas, Sir John MiddletonSir John questions Colonel Brandon about his interest in Marianne Dashwood.
Sir John Middleton, Colonel BrandonColonel Brandon observes the bulrushes and cuts one as a memento.
Colonel BrandonMrs. Jennings gossips to Elinor about Colonel Brandon's tragic past.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Sir John Middleton, Mrs. JenningsThe Dashwoods return home to find a parcel from Edward Ferrars.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, BetsyMarianne and Margaret go for a walk in the rain; Marianne falls and twists her ankle.
Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, John WilloughbyWilloughby carries the injured Marianne into the cottage.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, John WilloughbySir John and Colonel Brandon visit; Willoughby arrives shortly after.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Sir John Middleton, Colonel BrandonWilloughby leaves Barton Cottage after visiting Marianne, promising to return.
John Willoughby, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, Margaret DashwoodElinor cries privately over Edward's handkerchief.
Elinor DashwoodAfter dinner, Marianne watches Willoughby draw a silhouette.
Elinor Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Dashwood, Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, John WilloughbyElinor and Mrs. Dashwood discuss household expenses while Willoughby and Marianne flirt.
Elinor Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, John Willoughby, Marianne DashwoodWilloughby and Marianne drive past the church, causing gossip.
Mrs. Jennings, John Willoughby, Marianne DashwoodColonel Brandon invites the Dashwoods to a picnic at Delaford.
Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, John WilloughbyThe picnic party gathers, including new arrivals, but is interrupted by a messenger for Colonel Brandon.
Sir John Middleton, Colonel Brandon, Charlotte Palmer, Mr. Palmer, Lucy Steele, Elinor DashwoodThe Dashwoods and Willoughby have an impromptu picnic.
Mrs. Dashwood, John Willoughby, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Margaret DashwoodWilloughby asks Marianne for a private interview.
Marianne Dashwood, John WilloughbyColonel Brandon arrives at a slum in London.
Colonel BrandonBrandon meets a pregnant young woman.
Colonel BrandonThe Dashwoods attend church.
Elinor Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Mrs. DashwoodThe family returns from church to find Willoughby's horse.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, ThomasWilloughby announces he must leave for London immediately.
Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, John Willoughby, Marianne DashwoodThe family reacts to Willoughby's sudden departure.
Elinor Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret DashwoodElinor and Mrs. Dashwood argue about Willoughby's departure; Margaret is rejected by her mother; Marianne is heard sobbing.
Elinor Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodThe cottage is shown in the rain.
Betsy removes an uneaten meal from Marianne's room.
BetsyMarianne reads sonnets while looking out at the rain.
Marianne DashwoodEstablishing shot of Barton Park in the rain.
The group gathers; Lucy reveals her secret engagement to Edward Ferrars to Elinor.
Marianne Dashwood, Mr. Palmer, Sir John Middleton, Margaret Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Charlotte PalmerMarianne is excited about London; Elinor struggles with her secret.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodThe family departs for London.
Mrs. Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood, Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Lucy SteeleLucy continues to talk to Elinor about Edward.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Elinor DashwoodThe carriage travels through London.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Elinor DashwoodArrival at the London house.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Elinor DashwoodArrival and meeting the footman.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Elinor Dashwood, ThomasElinor and Marianne have tea; Colonel Brandon visits.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Colonel BrandonThe group walks through the arcade.
Mr. Palmer, Charlotte Palmer, Mrs. Jennings, John Dashwood, Fanny Dashwood, Lucy SteeleReturn from the outing.
Mrs. Jennings, Lucy Steele, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, ThomasMarianne writes a letter.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodMarianne gives the letter to the footman.
Marianne Dashwood, ThomasMarianne checks for messages.
Mrs. Jennings, Thomas, Marianne DashwoodArrival at the ball.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Lucy SteeleThe ball; Robert Ferrars and Willoughby are present.
Mrs. Jennings, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Mr. Palmer, Charlotte PalmerMarianne confronts Willoughby at a ball, but he is cold and distant, eventually leaving with his party.
Marianne Dashwood, John Willoughby, Mrs. Jennings, Fanny Dashwood, John Dashwood, Lucy SteeleMarianne and Elinor argue about their lack of mutual confidence.
Marianne Dashwood, Elinor DashwoodMarianne receives a letter from Willoughby; Lucy taunts Elinor about her engagement.
Marianne Dashwood, Mrs. Jennings, Elinor Dashwood, Lucy SteeleMarianne reads Willoughby's rejection letter; Mrs. Jennings reveals he is marrying Miss Grey.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Mrs. JenningsFanny and John discuss Marianne's situation and decide not to invite her.
Fanny Dashwood, John Dashwood, Robert FerrarsColonel Brandon visits Elinor and reveals Willoughby's history with his ward, Beth.
Elinor Dashwood, Colonel BrandonEdward Ferrars visits, but the presence of Lucy Steele makes the encounter excruciating.
Elinor Dashwood, Lucy Steele, Edward Ferrars, Marianne DashwoodLucy reveals her secret engagement to Edward to Fanny.
Lucy Steele, Fanny DashwoodMrs. Jennings reveals Edward's engagement to Lucy and his disinheritance.
Mrs. Jennings, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodElinor and Marianne argue about Elinor's secret engagement and her stoic nature, leading to an emotional outburst from Elinor.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodLucy and Mrs. Jennings arrive at the Palmers' home.
Lucy Steele, Mrs. Jennings, Charlotte Palmer, ThomasColonel Brandon offers Elinor a parish for Edward Ferrars.
Elinor Dashwood, Colonel BrandonElinor informs Edward of Colonel Brandon's offer.
Elinor Dashwood, Edward FerrarsThe Palmers depart with Marianne and Elinor.
Charlotte Palmer, Mr. Palmer, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mrs. JenningsCharlotte talks incessantly during the journey.
Charlotte Palmer, Mr. Palmer, Marianne Dashwood, Elinor DashwoodThe party arrives at Cleveland.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Charlotte Palmer, Mr. Palmer, Colonel BrandonElinor worries about Marianne's absence during a storm.
Elinor Dashwood, Charlotte Palmer, Mr. Palmer, Colonel BrandonMarianne walks in the storm and collapses.
Marianne Dashwood, Colonel BrandonMarianne falls ill with a fever.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Mr. PalmerMarianne recovers, and Mrs. Dashwood arrives.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Mrs. Dashwood, Colonel BrandonMarianne convalesces while Brandon reads to her.
Marianne Dashwood, Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor DashwoodElinor and Marianne discuss the past and Willoughby.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodMarianne and Elinor discuss Marianne's past behavior and her resolve to improve herself.
Elinor Dashwood, Marianne DashwoodWhat do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering? For weeks, Marianne, I have had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced upon me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hopes. I have had to endure her exultation again and again while knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence I could have produced proof enough of a broken heart even for you.
Because he has threatened me with rain when I wanted it fine, he has found fault with the balance of my curricle and I cannot persuade him to buy my brown mare. If it will be of any satisfaction to you, however, to be told I believe his character to be in all other respects irreproachable, I am ready to confess it. And in return for an acknowledgement that must give me some pain. You cannot deny me the privilege of disliking him as much as I adore...
I seen him myself, ma'am, and his lady too, Miss Lucy Steele as was--they were stopping in a chaise at the New London Inn. I happened to look up as I passed the chaise and I see it was Miss Steele. So I took off my hat and she inquired after you, ma'am, and all the young ladies, especially Miss Dashwood, and bid me I should give you her and Mr Ferrars's best compliments and service and how they'd be sure to send you a piece of the cake.
Elinor! I met Lucy when I was very young. Had I had an active profession, I should never have felt such an idle, foolish inclination. At Norland my behaviour was very wrong. But I convinced myself you felt only friendship for me and it was my heart alone that I was risking. I have come with no expectations. Only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours.
Oh, you sly thing! It was the Misses Dashwood she wanted to see, not Delaford, Mamma! I have heard nothing but 'Miss Dashwood this, Miss Dashwood that' for I don't know how long! And what do you think of them now you do see them, Lucy? My mother has talked of nothing else in her letters since you came to Barton, Mrs Dashwood. Mr Palmer--are they not the very creatures she describes?
I was very unwilling to enter into it without his mother's approval but we loved each other with too great a passion for prudence. Though you do nor know him so well as I, Miss Dashwood, you must have seen how capable he is of making a woman sincerely attached to him. I cannot pretend it has not been very hard on us both. We can hardly meet above twice a year.
What a stroke of luck for Lucy and Edward to find a parish so close to Barton! You will all be able to meet very often. That will cheer you up, Miss Marianne. I do declare I have never disliked a person so much as I do Mr Willoughby, for your sake. Insufferable man! To think we can see his insufferable house from the top of our hill!
I shall mend my ways! I shall no longer worry others nor torture myself. I am determined to enter on a course of serious study---Colonel Brandon has promised me the run of his library and I shall read at least six hours a day. By the end of the year I expect to have improved my learning a very great deal.
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