Character guide

Elinor Dashwood

major

Also known as Elinor, Miss Dashwood, dear Elinor, poor Elinor

The sensible eldest Dashwood sister, who navigates love and hardship with composure.

Marianne Dashwood

major

Also known as Marianne, Marianne Dashwood, Miss Marianne, Mary

The passionate and romantic middle Dashwood sister, prone to emotional extremes.

Edward Ferrars

major

Also known as Edward, Mr. Ferrars, Mr. Edward Ferrars, Poor Edward

A kind but reserved gentleman, secretly engaged to Lucy Steele, and in love with Elinor.

John Willoughby

major

Also known as Willoughby, Mr. Willoughby, poor Willoughby

A charming but reckless suitor who wins Marianne's heart before revealing his true nature.

Colonel Brandon

major

Also known as Brandon, Colonel, the Colonel

A quiet, honorable older gentleman who secretly loves Marianne and has a tragic past.

Lucy Steele

supporting

Also known as Lucy, Miss Steele, Lucy Steele, Miss Lucy Steele

A cunning and manipulative young woman secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars.

Mrs. Jennings

supporting

Also known as dear Mrs. Jennings

A gossipy but good-hearted widow who hosts the Dashwood sisters in London.

Sir John Middleton

supporting

Also known as Sir John, John

A jovial, hospitable baronet who invites the Dashwoods to Barton Cottage.

Lady Middleton

supporting

Also known as Middleton

Sir John's elegant but reserved wife, focused on her children and social propriety.

Fanny Dashwood

supporting

Also known as Fanny, Mrs. John Dashwood, Poor Fanny

The selfish and snobbish wife of John Dashwood, who schemes against her sisters-in-law.

John Dashwood

supporting

Also known as Mr. John Dashwood, John Dashwood

Elinor and Marianne's half-brother, weak-willed and easily influenced by his wife Fanny.

Mrs. Ferrars

supporting

Also known as Ferrars, poor Mrs. Ferrars

Edward and Robert's domineering mother, obsessed with wealth and social standing.

Robert Ferrars

supporting

Also known as Mr. Robert Ferrars, Robert

Edward's vain and foppish younger brother who eventually marries Lucy Steele.

Mrs. Palmer

supporting

Also known as Charlotte

A cheerful, silly young woman, daughter of Mrs. Jennings and sister of Lady Middleton.

Mr. Palmer

supporting

Also known as Palmer

Mrs. Palmer's gruff and sarcastic husband who is often indifferent to social niceties.

Margaret Dashwood

minor

Also known as Margaret, Miss Margaret

The youngest Dashwood sister, still a child with a lively imagination.

Mrs. Dashwood

supporting

Also known as III Mrs. Dashwood

The Dashwood sisters' loving but impractical mother, who encourages romantic sensibility.

Miss Grey

minor

Also known as Grey

A wealthy young woman whom Willoughby marries for her fortune after abandoning Marianne.

Anne Steele

minor

Also known as Nancy

Lucy Steele's older, less clever sister who accidentally reveals Lucy's secret engagement.

Mrs. Smith

minor

Willoughby's wealthy aunt who disinherits him after learning of his misconduct.

Miss Morton

minor

Also known as the Hon. Miss Morton

A wealthy heiress whom Mrs. Ferrars wants Edward to marry.

Eliza Williams

minor

Also known as Betty, Eliza, Miss Williams

Colonel Brandon's ward, seduced and abandoned by Willoughby.

Mr. Harris

minor

An apothecary who attends to Marianne during her illness.

Mr. Donavan

minor

Also known as Donavan

A surgeon called to treat Marianne's illness.

Mr. Pratt

minor

Uncle of Lucy and Anne Steele, with whom Edward Ferrars once lodged.

Thomas Palmer

minor

Also known as Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer's infant son.

Harry Dashwood

minor

Also known as Mr. Henry Dashwood, Harry

John and Fanny Dashwood's young son, heir to Norland.

Mrs. Taylor

minor

A former housekeeper at Norland who gives information to Mrs. Dashwood.

Dr. Davies

minor

A physician consulted during Marianne's illness.

Mr. Jennings

minor

The late husband of Mrs. Jennings, mentioned in passing.

Lady Elliott

minor

Also known as Elliott

A friend of Mrs. Jennings mentioned in conversation.

Annamaria

minor

Also known as dear Annamaria

One of Lady Middleton's young children.

Bartlett

minor

A servant at Norland who gossips about the Dashwood family.

Mrs. Willoughby

minor

Willoughby's wife, formerly Miss Grey, who is unaware of his past.

Lucy Ferrars

minor

Lucy Steele after her marriage to Robert Ferrars.

Mr. Gray

minor

Also known as Gray

A friend of Willoughby mentioned in his letter to Marianne.