Question

Explain the setting of Sense and Sensibility.

Accepted Answer

The setting of the novel Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen, mainly takes place in the English country side. The plot is first set specifically in the county of Sussex, which is located in the South of England.
The Dashwood family's estate of Norland is in the countryside because it was customary of middle class families at that time to favor the simplicity of life in the country versus the flashy and expensive city life in London. However, important parts of the plot do occur in London. Both settings are equally valuable to the story, and just as important.
This being said, the settings of Sussex and London are important because Austen uses these places to illustrate the contrast between city life and country life, and their people. A good example of this is when Mrs. Jennings invites the Dashwood sisters to visit her house in London and, to add to the newness of it all, to a London ball. The sisters' excitement allows the reader to sense the magnitude of the event in the lives of these otherwise simple girls.
The unfortunate treatment that they receive at the ball by the Willoughby set, however, is what opened the Dashwood sisters' eyes to the reality of class distinction. The Dashwoods had to realize the hard way that, as country girls, they would never be welcome in the London circle. This was a good way for Austen to remark the cruelties of high society against those who are not connected to them.
As far as the time period in which the plot takes place, we can see from the time frame in which Sense and Sensibility was published (around 1811-1815) that the novel is set during the Regency period, which took place between 1795-1837. This is the historical time frame of the ruling "Georges" of England. During this period England witnessed many changes in literature and other arts, which may have motivated Austen to indulge in her love of writing. This time period is also considered the "PRE-Victorian" era. This is important because people loosely classify Sense and Sensibility as a Victorian novel. If it were a Victorian novel it would be a very archaic one, since many of the issues present in Sense and Sensibility regarding women were resolved during the Victorian era.
Conclusively, Sense and Sensibility is set during the Georgian/Regency era, around the late 1700's and early 1800's in the Southern countryside of England, specifically in Sussex. The plot also extends to London, where a lot of the rising action takes place, and concludes again in the countryside of Devonshire after the Dashwood sisters got married. Of course, this time they may be accepted in London society- because they married rich men. :)

Answer

Sense and Sensibility is set in gentry (what we might roughly call upper middle class/lower aristocratic) locales in early nineteenth century England, settings Jane Austen would have been intimately familiar with, as this was her social milieu. Locations move from Norland, the grand estate that was home to the Dashwood sisters growing up, to Barton Cottage and to London.
The Dashwoods move to Barton Cottage because of their reduced finances after their father dies. This is a four-bedroom home that would not seem small by today's middle class standards, but it represents a decline to the sisters and their mother from their formerly wealthy lifestyle.
Elinor and Marianne also travel as guests to London, where they participate in the London "season" and endure the sometimes rude behavior offered to poor relations.
Nature also plays a role. Especially in the Sussex countryside, the young women often go walking outside. Marianne, who adores nature, meets Willoughby when she falls and sprains an ankle while out walking, and he brings her home.

Sense and Sensibility Questions and Answers
by Jane Austen

Explain the setting of Sense and Sensibility.

Expert Answers info

Unlock This Answer Now

Related Questions

Ask a Question

Popular Questions

Additional Links