Summary
Elinor's Burden
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Marianne continues her dangerous daily walks to the hills around Barton, hoping to catch a glimpse of Willoughby returning. Her behavior becomes increasingly reckless as she walks alone in all weather, ignoring her family's concerns about propriety and her health. Elinor watches helplessly as her sister grows thinner and more distracted, consumed by her romantic obsession. The chapter reveals how differently the two sisters handle heartbreak - while Elinor suffers quietly over Edward's absence, maintaining her composure and daily responsibilities, Marianne throws herself into dramatic displays of grief that worry everyone around her. Mrs. Dashwood, caught between her daughters, struggles with whether to intervene or let Marianne work through her feelings naturally. The contrast between the sisters becomes stark: Elinor's sense keeps her functioning despite her pain, while Marianne's sensibility threatens to destroy her health and reputation. Austen uses this chapter to explore how extreme emotions, when given free reign, can become self-destructive. Marianne's romantic ideals, which seemed charming when she was happy, now reveal their dangerous side. Her belief that true love should consume everything makes her unable to cope with disappointment in a healthy way. Meanwhile, the community begins to notice and whisper about Marianne's strange behavior, adding social consequences to her emotional turmoil. This chapter serves as a turning point where Marianne's philosophy of following feelings above all else starts to exact a real cost, setting up the lessons she'll need to learn about balancing heart and head.
Coming Up in Chapter 16
A surprise visitor arrives at Barton Cottage, bringing news that will shake both sisters. The encounter forces long-avoided conversations and reveals information that changes everything the Dashwood family thought they knew.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Mrs. Dashwood’s visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and two of her daughters went with her; but Marianne excused herself from being of the party, under some trifling pretext of employment; and her mother, who concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night before of calling on her while they were absent, was perfectly satisfied with her remaining at home. On their return from the park they found Willoughby’s curricle and servant in waiting at the cottage, and Mrs. Dashwood was convinced that her conjecture had been just. So far it was all as she had foreseen; but on entering the house she beheld what no foresight had taught her to expect. They were no sooner in the passage than Marianne came hastily out of the parlour apparently in violent affliction, with her handkerchief at her eyes; and without noticing them ran up stairs. Surprised and alarmed they proceeded directly into the room she had just quitted, where they found only Willoughby, who was leaning against the mantel-piece with his back towards them. He turned round on their coming in, and his countenance showed that he strongly partook of the emotion which over-powered Marianne. “Is anything the matter with her?” cried Mrs. Dashwood as she entered—“is she ill?” “I hope not,” he replied, trying to look cheerful; and with a forced smile presently added, “It is I who may rather expect to be ill—for I am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment!” “Disappointment?” “Yes, for I am unable to keep my engagement with you. Mrs. Smith has this morning exercised the privilege of riches upon a poor dependent cousin, by sending me on business to London. I have just received my dispatches, and taken my farewell of Allenham; and by way of exhilaration I am now come to take my farewell of you.” “To London!—and are you going this morning?” “Almost this moment.” “This is very unfortunate. But Mrs. Smith must be obliged;—and her business will not detain you from us long I hope.” He coloured as he replied, “You are very kind, but I have no idea of returning into Devonshire immediately. My visits to Mrs. Smith are never repeated within the twelvemonth.” “And is Mrs. Smith your only friend? Is Allenham the only house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome? For shame, Willoughby, can you wait for an invitation here?” His colour increased; and with his eyes fixed on the ground he only replied, “You are too good.” Mrs. Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise. Elinor felt equal amazement. For a few moments every one was silent. Mrs. Dashwood first spoke. “I have only to add, my dear Willoughby, that at Barton cottage you will always be welcome; for I will not press you to return here immediately, because you only can judge how far _that_ might be pleasing to Mrs. Smith; and on this head I shall be no more disposed to question your judgment than to...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Emotional Extremes - When Feelings Become Your Master
When intense feelings are allowed to override all practical considerations and responsibilities, creating a destructive feedback loop.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter shows how extreme emotional displays can become a form of control, demanding constant attention and accommodation from others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's emotional crisis consistently requires you to drop everything - ask yourself if you're witnessing genuine distress or learned helplessness.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Propriety
The social rules about what's considered proper behavior, especially for women. In Austen's time, this meant not walking alone, not showing strong emotions publicly, and maintaining appearances. Breaking these rules could ruin your reputation and marriage prospects.
Modern Usage:
We still have unwritten rules about professional behavior, social media presence, and how to act in different situations.
Romantic Melancholy
The fashionable idea that deep, tragic love should make you pale, thin, and dramatically sad. It was considered romantic to waste away from heartbreak. This was part of the Romantic movement that glorified intense emotions.
Modern Usage:
We see this in how social media romanticizes depression, or how some people perform their heartbreak for attention rather than actually healing.
Sensibility vs Sense
The central conflict of the novel. Sensibility means following your emotions and being ruled by feelings. Sense means using reason, self-control, and thinking before acting. Austen shows both extremes can be problematic.
Modern Usage:
This is the eternal debate between 'follow your heart' and 'use your head' - whether in relationships, career choices, or major life decisions.
Social Consequences
In Austen's world, your behavior affected your entire family's reputation. If you acted improperly, it could ruin your sisters' chances of marriage and your family's social standing. The community watched and judged everything.
Modern Usage:
Today this shows up as how one family member's actions can affect everyone - like when someone's arrest makes the news, or social media scandals that impact whole families.
Maternal Indulgence
Mrs. Dashwood's parenting style of letting her daughters follow their feelings without guidance. She believes in not interfering with their emotional development, even when it becomes destructive.
Modern Usage:
This is like permissive parenting today - parents who don't want to be the 'bad guy' so they let their kids make harmful choices without intervention.
Public Speculation
How the community begins to gossip about Marianne's strange behavior. In small communities, everyone's business becomes public knowledge, and people form opinions that can damage reputations.
Modern Usage:
This is exactly like how small towns, workplaces, or social groups still gossip about people's personal lives and relationship drama.
Characters in This Chapter
Marianne Dashwood
Protagonist in crisis
She's spiraling into self-destructive behavior, taking dangerous walks alone and neglecting her health. Her romantic ideals are now working against her, making her unable to cope with Willoughby's absence in a healthy way.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who posts cryptic sad quotes after a breakup and won't listen to advice
Elinor Dashwood
Contrasting protagonist
She's dealing with her own heartbreak over Edward but handling it completely differently. She maintains her responsibilities and composure while watching her sister self-destruct, feeling helpless to intervene effectively.
Modern Equivalent:
The responsible sister who keeps it together while watching her sibling make destructive choices
Mrs. Dashwood
Conflicted mother
She's torn between wanting to help Marianne and believing she shouldn't interfere with her daughter's emotional process. Her indulgent parenting style is being tested as Marianne's behavior becomes genuinely concerning.
Modern Equivalent:
The mom who doesn't want to be controlling but is watching her kid make obviously bad choices
Willoughby
Absent catalyst
Though not physically present, his absence is driving all of Marianne's destructive behavior. His failure to return or communicate is the source of her obsessive daily walks and deteriorating condition.
Modern Equivalent:
The ex who ghosts you but whose absence still controls your entire life
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Marianne would have thought herself very inexcusable had she been able to sleep at all the first night after parting from Willoughby."
Context: Describing how Marianne believes her insomnia proves her love is real
This shows how Marianne has romanticized suffering. She thinks NOT sleeping proves she's a true lover, when actually it's just making her sick. Austen is criticizing the idea that love should be physically destructive.
In Today's Words:
Marianne thought she'd be a fake if she could actually get any sleep after her boyfriend left.
"Every morning brought its appointed hope, and every evening brought its disappointment."
Context: Describing Marianne's daily cycle of hoping to see Willoughby return
This captures the obsessive cycle that's destroying Marianne's mental health. She's trapped in a pattern of false hope that prevents her from moving forward or accepting reality.
In Today's Words:
Every day she convinced herself he'd come back, and every day she was crushed when he didn't.
"Her family could not be surprised at her attachment; but they wished it to be a more reasonable one."
Context: Describing how the family views Marianne's extreme behavior
This shows that even people who love Marianne recognize her feelings have crossed from normal into unhealthy territory. The problem isn't that she loves Willoughby, but HOW she's expressing it.
In Today's Words:
They got that she was heartbroken, but they wished she'd handle it like a normal person.
Thematic Threads
Emotional Regulation
In This Chapter
Marianne's inability to manage her heartbreak leads to dangerous, self-destructive behavior that worries her family
Development
Escalated from her earlier romantic intensity - now showing the dark side of uncontrolled emotion
In Your Life:
You might see this when grief, anger, or anxiety starts controlling your daily decisions instead of informing them.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The community begins to notice and gossip about Marianne's improper behavior, adding social consequences to her emotional turmoil
Development
Building on earlier themes about reputation and propriety - now showing real social costs
In Your Life:
You might face this when personal struggles start affecting your professional reputation or community standing.
Sisterly Contrast
In This Chapter
Elinor's quiet strength and maintained responsibilities highlight how differently people can handle similar emotional pain
Development
The fundamental difference between the sisters becomes more pronounced under stress
In Your Life:
You might see this in how you and your siblings or friends handle crisis differently, neither way being entirely right or wrong.
Family Dynamics
In This Chapter
Mrs. Dashwood struggles with whether to intervene or let Marianne work through her feelings naturally
Development
Continuing the theme of parental uncertainty about when to step in versus when to allow independence
In Your Life:
You might face this dilemma when watching a family member make choices you think are harmful but they need to learn from.
Identity Crisis
In This Chapter
Marianne has made her romantic disappointment into her entire sense of self, losing other aspects of her identity
Development
Her earlier romantic idealism now becomes a trap that defines her completely
In Your Life:
You might experience this when one aspect of your life - job loss, relationship end, health issue - starts to feel like your whole identity.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors show that Marianne has let her emotions take complete control of her daily life?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Marianne believe that anything less than total devastation would be dishonoring her love for Willoughby?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today making their pain or anger into their whole identity, and what are the consequences?
application • medium - 4
How could Marianne honor her feelings for Willoughby while still taking care of her health and responsibilities?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between experiencing emotions and being controlled by them?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Emotional Circuit Breaker
Think about a time when strong emotions threatened to take over your life completely. Create a personal 'circuit breaker' system - specific actions you could take when you notice emotions starting to control everything. Design practical steps that would allow you to feel deeply while still functioning in your daily responsibilities.
Consider:
- •What early warning signs tell you when emotions are shifting from healthy expression to total takeover?
- •How can you honor intense feelings without letting them damage your relationships or responsibilities?
- •What would Elinor's approach look like in your specific situation?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to balance intense emotions with practical responsibilities. What worked? What didn't? How would you handle it differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 16: Sisters
The next chapter brings new insights and deeper understanding. Continue reading to discover how timeless patterns from this classic literature illuminate our modern world and the choices we face.