William Mason High School

AP Open Question Prompt Essay;

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility

Ainsley White

AP English Literature and Composition Bell 2

      Ms. Wilson

    April 28, 2016

Open Question Prompt; 1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

Academic Honor Statement; I have read and understand the sections in the Student Handbook regarding Mason High School’s Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I am certifying that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act, which could include a “0” on the paper, as well as am “F” as a final grade in the course.

 In Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen the standards set for the oldest daughter, Elinor, are responsible for her every action. As Elinor continues to grow and the atmosphere begins to change, her life is responsible to change as well. Throughout the novel Austen uses Elinor to represent the constraints on women in her society.

        Elinor is proven to be more responsible than the rest of her sisters and in some cases even her half blood brother Mr. John Dashwood. The society in which young women like herself are subjected to, can cause the behavior you more see in the younger sisters Marianne and Margaret. Though women do not make decisions on things such as Estate, after her father's death she does so. "Elinor had always felt it more prudent for them to settle at some distance from Norland..." (Austen 19). By circumstance she convinces her mother that moving from Norland is what is best for all of them. Her intelligence on most matters whether it be art or regular everyday finances are better than that of some men in a strictly male ran society. Austen's strong use of imagery portrays her talents and actions in a sense of both limitations and strengths. Most women of this particular time exiled in one particular area due to being home till they found a suitable husband. In this case drawing became hers, she was quite good but had a soul interest in this subject making compatibility with men a little more difficult. "The counsellor of her mother" (Austen 4), was only limited by her society in this way unlike most women.

       Elinor's diction throughout the book shows her intelligence without any real constraint from the surrounding environment. Her feelings toward affection are commonly portrayed in a colder manner then how must women would have shown. "I do not attempt to deny," said she, "that I think very highly of him- that I greatly esteem, that I like him (Austen 17). Edward her "flame" in a sense seems to only be a backdrop in her mind, though from the society's point of view should of been her only focus. Her diction show us her idea of love or marrying well off is not a great concern of hers. Austen plays her lack of concern off as a higher intelligence being to high for her to open up to such relationship so quickly. Elinor is one of the only characters in the book that that sees money as an objective in many marriages around her. Her cold attitude is not due to a lack of emotion as her sister states "Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor! Oh! Worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again and I will leave the room this moment" (Austen 17). She is more simply constructed around her obligations to her surrounding unlike her younger sister, creating a cold-hearted tone to her.

     This society that so greatly affects the characters in the novel especially Elinor was created through a technique called satire. Austen is know for this throughout almost all of her writing, but especially here in Sense and Sensibility. This helps portray the aspects of what she sees in the society around her into the society that she creates throughout her writing. In this case Elinor is considered a rare gem to most and her attitude toward the world is continually questioned. Though her advice is heavily sought over by others, in some perspectives Elinor is seen as a fictional version of Jane within her created universe. She makes her opinion known on just about everything such as her sisters new relationship. "But how is your acquaintance to be long supported under such extraordinary dispatch of every subject of discourse? You will soon have to exhausted every topic. Another meeting will suffice to explain his sentiments on picturesque beauty, and second marriages, and then you can have nothing further to ask" (Austen 41). Though in some cases her opinion is not wanted nor respected by others.

     Elinor's intelligente is Austen's version of sense within this fictional society. She is the common sense and obligated piece to a family so broken by tragedy, though she may across cold and in some cases is not respected she is still heavily affected by the standards set for her by society.