Sense and Sensibility (eBook)

Jane Austen, one of the most widely read authors in English literature, was born on December 16, 1775, at Steventon Rectory in Hampshire, England. Austen's biting social commentary and masterful use of both free indirect speech and irony have earned her historical acclaim and a vast readership. Her narratives, while narrowly focused on the daily lives of her characters, often explore the dependence of women on marriage for social standing and economic security, a recurring theme throughout her works. 'Sense and Sensibility,' her first published novel in 1811, embodies Austen's literary prowess as it delves into the lives and loves of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Here, Austen juxtaposes rationality against emotion, a dichotomy central to understanding human complexity. Her keen observation of human nature and the genteel class's social mores provides a vivid tableau of 19th-century English life. Though her books were published anonymously, Austen's identity as the author became publicly known posthumously. Despite her novels being more than two hundred years old, today they are more popular than ever, cherished for their timeless characterizations and her sophisticated, yet accessible prose. Austen's literary genius remains influential, asserting her place as a towering figure in the canons of English literature.