Sense and Sensibility · Chapter
XXXVI explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Jennings spends time with her daughter Charlotte Palmer after the birth of her son, while the Miss Dashwoods are obliged to stay with Lady Middleton and the Miss Steeles. Elinor observes the growing influence of Lucy Steele over Lady Middleton and Mrs. John Dashwood, and Marianne remains indifferent to social engagements. A misunderstanding leads to Mrs. John Dashwood being forced to appear attentive to her sisters-in-law.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Lucy Steele's flattery and manipulation of Lady Middleton and Mrs. John Dashwood highlight the theme of deceptive appearances.
Social Class and Money
Mrs. John Dashwood's resentment at having to appear attentive to her sisters-in-law underscores the social and financial tensions within the family.
Female Agency and Constraint
Elinor and Marianne are constrained by social obligations, spending their days with Lady Middleton and the Miss Steeles against their own comfort.
Characters to notice
- Elinor Dashwood
Observes the dynamics between Lucy Steele and the Middleton family; remains indifferent to musical performances.
- Marianne Dashwood
Grows indifferent to social outings; endures Lucy Steele's intrusive scrutiny of her dress and appearance.
- Lucy Steele
Flatters Lady Middleton and Mrs. John Dashwood, gaining their favor; scrutinizes Marianne's attire.
- Fanny Dashwood
Forced to send her carriage for the Miss Dashwoods after a misunderstanding; dislikes being obliged to show them attention.
- Lady Middleton
Does not genuinely like Elinor and Marianne; feels restrained by their presence and prefers Lucy Steele's flattery.
- Mrs. Jennings
Preoccupied with her daughter Charlotte's new baby; remains unaware of the tensions between the young ladies.
Key passages
“The impertinence of these kind of scrutinies, moreover, was generally concluded with a compliment, which though meant as its douceur, was considered by Marianne as the greatest impertinence of all; for after undergoing an examination into the value and make of her gown, the colour of her shoes, and the arrangement of her hair, she was almost sure of being told that upon 'her word she looked vastly smart, and she dared to say she would make a great many conquests.'”
Lucy Steele's intrusive questions about Marianne's clothing and appearance were always followed by a backhanded compliment, which Marianne found more offensive than the scrutiny itself.
Illustrates Lucy's nosy nature and Marianne's growing irritation with social hypocrisy.
“The consequence of which was, that Mrs. John Dashwood was obliged to submit not only to the exceedingly great inconvenience of sending her carriage for the Miss Dashwoods, but, what was still worse, must be subject to all the unpleasantness of appearing to treat them with attention.”
As a result of the misunderstanding, Fanny Dashwood had to endure the inconvenience of lending her carriage and the greater discomfort of seeming to be kind to her sisters-in-law.
Highlights Fanny's selfishness and her resentment toward Elinor and Marianne.