Sense and Sensibility · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. John Dashwood takes over as mistress of Norland, reducing Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters to visitors. John Dashwood initially intends to fulfill his promise to his father by giving his sisters a substantial sum, but his wife Fanny manipulates him into reducing the gift to nothing, convincing him that occasional small presents and neighborly acts are sufficient.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Money
The chapter centers on financial negotiations and the power dynamics of wealth, showing how money (or its lack) dictates the Dashwood women's fate and John's moral choices.
Deception and Appearance
Fanny uses flattery and false reasoning to deceive John into believing he is acting honorably, while in reality he is breaking his promise under the guise of prudence.
Family and Sibling Bonds
The chapter explores the tension between blood relations and half-blood ties, with Fanny arguing that the Dashwood sisters have no real claim on John's generosity.
Characters to notice
- Fanny Dashwood
Manipulates her husband into breaking his promise to his father, arguing that the Miss Dashwoods have no real claim and that any gift would impoverish their son.
- John Dashwood
Weak-willed and easily swayed by his wife, he abandons his initial intention to give his sisters a substantial sum, ultimately deciding to do nothing meaningful.
- Mrs. Dashwood
Accepts the invitation to remain at Norland temporarily, finding comfort in familiar surroundings despite her sorrow.
- Harry Dashwood
The young son of John and Fanny, whose future inheritance is used as a pretext to deny the Dashwood sisters their due.
Key passages
“It was my father’s last request to me, that I should assist his widow and daughters.”
John reminds Fanny of his dying father's wish for him to help his stepmother and half-sisters.
This sets up the moral conflict of the chapter.
“To take three thousand pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree.”
Fanny argues that giving the Dashwood sisters any money would rob their son Harry of his inheritance.
Fanny uses maternal concern as a tool of manipulation.
“I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could mean nothing more by his request to me than what you say.”
John convinces himself that his father only intended small acts of kindness, not financial support.
John rationalizes his broken promise to ease his conscience.