Friday 12 August 2011

Period Movies Box - Friday Favorite Character - Elinor Dashwood

Elinor Dashwood



The main protagonist in Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. Elinor Dashwood can be referred to as the 'Sense' part of the novel since she practical, honest, good natured and thoughtful. Elinor is not described as a complete beauty but is said to have regular features and good figure. She is very balanced both, mentally and emotionally. Comparisons have been drawn between her and her younger sister, Marianne Dashwood who happens to be the 'Sensibility' part of the book. Unlike Marianne, Elinor is more in control of her emotions and definitely much more compromising.


Some people are of the opinion that the character Elinor Dashwood is loosely based on Jane Austen's elder sister Cassandra Austen. Jane was most close to Cassandra, throughout her life.  


The way Elinor hides her feelings for Edward thinking that there was no hope for her only shows how practical she was in the ways love and romance. Though her feelings were genuine and strong, she could not give Edward a hint about them because she was very concerned about what exactly the society expects of her and her conduct.


Ah! I think Elinor was a little too concerned about the society and didn't think about herself. Personally, I am of the opinion that its fine to be agreeable in society but then its shouldn't be to an extent where you stop valuing yourself and all you care about is society. Elinor Dashwood is a very well written character indeed, sense personified!


I love love love Emma Thompson's portrayal of Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility (1995) and I think very highly of her. In fact, the casting of the movie was very good, perhaps a replacement for Hugh Grant would have added more soul to Edward's character. It is as I reckon one of the best period movies I have seen and the critics think the same.

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