Sense and Sensibility · Chapter
Chapter XXXVII explained
Elinor reveals to Marianne the truth of Edward Ferrars's secret engagement to Lucy Steele, which she has known for four months.
What happens
Elinor reveals to Marianne the truth of Edward Ferrars's secret engagement to Lucy Steele, which she has known for four months. Marianne is horrified and initially compares Edward to Willoughby, but Elinor calmly defends Edward and explains her own suffering and self-command. Marianne, overcome with remorse for her past behavior, promises to be discreet and cordial towards Lucy and Edward. Later, John Dashwood visits and expresses sympathy for Edward, prompting further critique of Mrs. Ferrars's conduct.
Themes in this chapter
Sense vs. Sensibility
Elinor's rational self-command contrasts with Marianne's emotional outburst, highlighting the central dichotomy of the novel.
Deception and Appearance
Elinor's four-month concealment of Edward's engagement and her composed exterior mask her inner suffering.
Female Agency and Constraint
Elinor is bound by her promise to Lucy, illustrating the limited agency and enforced secrecy women faced.
Characters to notice
- Elinor Dashwood
Reveals Edward's engagement to Marianne, demonstrating her self-command and duty despite her own heartbreak.
- Marianne Dashwood
Initially horrified and resentful, but later feels deep remorse and promises to be discreet.
- Edward Ferrars
Discussed as the subject of the secret engagement; Elinor defends his character and wishes him happiness.
- Lucy Steele
Revealed as Edward's secret fiancée; Marianne finds her unamiable, but Elinor acknowledges her sense.
- John Dashwood
Visits and expresses sympathy for Edward, criticizing Mrs. Ferrars's conduct.
- Mrs. Jennings
Joins in the critique of Mrs. Ferrars and the Dashwoods after John's visit.
Key passages
“Elinor’s office was a painful one. She was going to remove what she really believed to be her sister’s chief consolation—to give such particulars of Edward as she feared would ruin him forever in her good opinion—and to make Marianne, by a resemblance in their situations, which to her fancy would seem strong, feel all her own disappointment over again.”
Elinor had the difficult task of telling Marianne the truth about Edward, knowing it would shatter her sister's comfort and make Marianne relive her own heartbreak.
Highlights Elinor's painful duty and her empathy for Marianne's parallel suffering.
“By feeling that I was doing my duty. My promise to Lucy, obliged me to be secret. I owed it to her, therefore, to avoid giving any hint of the truth; and I owed it to my family and friends, not to create in them a solicitude about me, which it could not be in my power to satisfy.”
Elinor explains that her composure came from a sense of duty: she was bound by her promise to Lucy and wished to spare her family unnecessary worry.
Illustrates Elinor's adherence to duty and self-sacrifice, central to her character.
“Oh! Elinor, you have made me hate myself forever. How barbarous have I been to you!—you, who have been my only comfort, who have borne with me in all my misery, who have seemed to be only suffering for me!”
Marianne expresses deep remorse for her past selfishness, realizing Elinor has been silently suffering while supporting her.
Marks a turning point in Marianne's character, as she recognizes Elinor's hidden pain.