# Chapter VIII explained — Sense and Sensibility

> Chapter companion for Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

## What happens

Mrs. Jennings, a matchmaking widow, quickly decides that Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne Dashwood, much to Marianne's disbelief and irritation. Marianne argues that Brandon is too old for romance, while Elinor defends his suitability. The chapter also reveals Marianne's concern over Edward Ferrars's delayed visit to Barton, and her observations of his and Elinor's restrained behavior.

## Themes in this chapter

### Romantic Idealism vs. Reality

Marianne's idealistic rejection of Colonel Brandon's suit based on his age contrasts with Elinor's realistic defense of a marriage based on mutual respect and suitability.

### Love and Marriage

The chapter explores different views on marriage: Mrs. Jennings sees it as a matchmaking game, Marianne as a passionate union, and Elinor as a practical companionship.

### Propriety and Social Conduct

Marianne's open criticism of Colonel Brandon's age and health breaches social decorum, while Elinor's composed behavior exemplifies proper conduct.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Jennings

A widow with an ample jointure, she is eager to marry off all the young people and quickly decides Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne.

### Colonel Brandon

Subject of Mrs. Jennings's matchmaking; Marianne criticizes his age and a complaint of rheumatism, while Elinor defends him.

### Marianne Dashwood

Dismisses the idea of Colonel Brandon being in love with her, finds his age and infirmity ridiculous, and worries about Edward Ferrars's delay.

### Elinor Dashwood

Defends Colonel Brandon against Marianne's criticisms and maintains her usual self-command, which Marianne finds puzzling.

### Mrs. Dashwood

Laughs at Marianne's extreme views on age and marriage, and clarifies that she had no expectation of Edward Ferrars's early arrival.

### Edward Ferrars

Mentioned as not yet arriving at Barton, causing Marianne to suspect illness and reflect on his and Elinor's restrained farewell.

## Key lines

> Mrs. Jennings was a widow with an ample jointure. She had only two daughters, both of whom she had lived to see respectably married, and she had now therefore nothing to do but to marry all the rest of the world.

Mrs. Jennings, a comfortably wealthy widow, had successfully married off her own daughters and now occupied herself by trying to arrange marriages for everyone else.

_Introduces Mrs. Jennings's matchmaking character and her social role._

> Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs. Jennings, but he is old enough to be my father; and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind.

Marianne insists that Colonel Brandon, though not as old as Mrs. Jennings, is far too old for her and incapable of genuine romantic feeling.

_Highlights Marianne's romantic idealism and her prejudice against age._

> A woman of seven and twenty... can never hope to feel or inspire affection again, and if her home be uncomfortable, or her fortune small, I can suppose that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse, for the sake of the provision and security of a wife.

Marianne argues that a woman of twenty-seven is past the age of love and would only marry an older man for financial security, not affection.

_Illustrates Marianne's extreme views on age and marriage, contrasting with Elinor's more moderate stance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters