# Chapter XXXII explained — Sense and Sensibility

> Chapter companion for Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

## What happens

Elinor shares the truth about Willoughby with Marianne, who reacts with silent grief and a settled gloom. Mrs. Dashwood advises her daughters to remain in London to avoid painful memories at Barton. Willoughby marries Miss Grey, and the Dashwoods receive visits from the Miss Steeles. Colonel Brandon's quiet support is appreciated by Elinor, while Mrs. Jennings and others express indignation at Willoughby's behavior.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Willoughby's true character is revealed through his seduction and desertion of Miss Williams, contrasting with his earlier charming demeanor.

### Romantic Idealism vs. Reality

Marianne's romantic ideals are shattered by Willoughby's betrayal, forcing her to confront the harsh reality of his deceit.

### Female Agency and Constraint

Marianne is constrained by her mother's advice to remain in London, despite her desire to return home, highlighting the limited agency of women in shaping their own lives.

## Character check-ins

### Elinor Dashwood

Elinor bears the painful duty of informing Marianne of Willoughby's marriage and manages the family's social interactions with composure.

### Marianne Dashwood

Marianne is deeply affected by Willoughby's betrayal, showing settled dejection and silent grief, but begins to treat Colonel Brandon with compassionate respect.

### Colonel Brandon

Colonel Brandon offers delicate and unobtrusive support to Elinor and Marianne, earning the privilege of intimate discussion about Marianne's disappointment.

### Mrs. Jennings

Mrs. Jennings speculates about a match between Colonel Brandon and Elinor, and later expresses indignation at Willoughby's behavior.

### Lucy Steele

Lucy Steele arrives in London with her sister and greets Elinor with pointed remarks about her extended stay, hinting at her secret engagement.

### John Willoughby

Willoughby marries Miss Grey and leaves town, prompting widespread condemnation from the Dashwoods' circle.

## Key lines

> She felt the loss of Willoughby’s character yet more heavily than she had felt the loss of his heart; his seduction and desertion of Miss Williams, the misery of that poor girl, and the doubt of what his designs might once have been on herself, preyed altogether so much on her spirits, that she could not bring herself to speak of what she felt even to Elinor.

Marianne was more devastated by the revelation of Willoughby's immoral character than by losing his affection, and the weight of his betrayal left her unable to confide even in Elinor.

_Highlights Marianne's moral shock and the depth of her disillusionment._

> Colonel Brandon’s delicate, unobtrusive enquiries were never unwelcome to Miss Dashwood. He had abundantly earned the privilege of intimate discussion of her sister’s disappointment, by the friendly zeal with which he had endeavoured to soften it, and they always conversed with confidence.

Elinor always welcomed Colonel Brandon's gentle and respectful questions, as his sincere efforts to ease Marianne's pain had earned him the right to speak openly about her sorrow.

_Shows the growing trust and intimacy between Elinor and Colonel Brandon._

## Links

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