Sense and Sensibility · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
The planned excursion to Whitwell is cancelled when Colonel Brandon receives a letter requiring his immediate attendance in town, disappointing the entire party.
What happens
The planned excursion to Whitwell is cancelled when Colonel Brandon receives a letter requiring his immediate attendance in town, disappointing the entire party. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jennings reveals that she discovered Marianne and Willoughby visited Allenham alone, leading to a tense discussion between the Dashwood sisters about propriety. The party instead spends the day driving about the country, and Marianne remains oblivious to the impropriety of her conduct.
Themes in this chapter
Propriety and Social Conduct
Marianne's visit to Allenham alone with Willoughby and her defense of the act highlight the tension between personal desire and social expectations.
Romantic Idealism vs. Reality
Marianne's belief that pleasure justifies her actions contrasts with Elinor's pragmatic concern for reputation, illustrating the clash between romantic idealism and social reality.
Characters to notice
- Elinor Dashwood
Elinor is concerned about Marianne's impropriety in visiting Allenham alone with Willoughby and tries to reason with her about discretion.
- Marianne Dashwood
Marianne defends her visit to Allenham with Willoughby, showing her romantic idealism and disregard for social propriety.
- Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon receives a letter that distresses him and forces him to leave for town, canceling the Whitwell excursion.
- Mrs. Jennings
Mrs. Jennings reveals she discovered Marianne and Willoughby's visit to Allenham and speculates about Colonel Brandon's business involving Miss Williams.
- John Willoughby
Willoughby takes Marianne to Allenham alone and later dismisses Colonel Brandon's departure as a trick, showing his manipulative and dismissive nature.
Key passages
“I am afraid," replied Elinor, "that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety."”
Elinor warns Marianne that enjoying an activity does not make it socially acceptable.
Elinor's caution reflects the theme of propriety versus personal inclination.
“On the contrary, nothing can be a stronger proof of it, Elinor; for if there had been any real impropriety in what I did, I should have been sensible of it at the time, for we always know when we are acting wrong, and with such a conviction I could have had no pleasure."”
Marianne argues that her enjoyment proves the act was proper, as she believes one cannot take pleasure in wrongdoing.
Marianne's reasoning exemplifies her romantic idealism and rejection of conventional social rules.