Elinor Dashwood:
* Practicality and Resilience: Elinor, the eldest, understands the harsh realities of poverty. She embodies practicality and resilience, adapting to their reduced circumstances with stoicism and a determination to maintain a semblance of their former lifestyle.
* Sacrifice and Restraint: Poverty forces Elinor to suppress her own feelings and desires for Edward Ferrars, fearing that their financial disparities would make their relationship impossible. She prioritizes her family's well-being over her own happiness.
* Sense and Maturity: Elinor's understanding of poverty informs her "sense," her ability to make sound judgments and prioritize practicality over romantic sentimentality.
Marianne Dashwood:
* Frustration and Disillusionment: Marianne, the younger sister, experiences poverty as a major frustration and disappointment. It limits her freedom and options, and she struggles to reconcile her romantic ideals with the harsh realities of financial hardship.
* Emotional Volatility: Poverty fuels Marianne's emotional volatility and passionate nature. She blames her misfortunes on societal injustice and feels deeply wronged by her family's reduced circumstances.
* Sensitivity and Idealism: Marianne's sensitivity makes her acutely aware of the social stigma and practical challenges of poverty. She longs for a world where love and happiness aren't contingent upon financial stability, demonstrating her idealism.
John Dashwood:
* Selfishness and Neglect: John Dashwood, the brother who inherits the family estate, embodies the callous indifference of the wealthy towards the poor. He prioritizes his own comfort and status, neglecting the financial needs of his half-sisters and their mother.
* Hypocrisy: John's wealth allows him to indulge in lavish spending while simultaneously justifying his lack of generosity with vague notions of responsibility and propriety.
Other Characters:
* Mrs. Dashwood: Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor and Marianne's mother, experiences poverty as a deeply painful loss of status and security. She is deeply worried about her daughters' future and struggles to maintain their social standing.
* Edward Ferrars: Edward is caught between his love for Elinor and his family's disapproval of their marriage due to their financial differences. He exemplifies the societal pressure to prioritize wealth and status, even in matters of the heart.
* Colonel Brandon: Colonel Brandon is a sympathetic figure who understands the hardship of poverty through his own past experiences. He is a kind and generous man who offers financial support to the Dashwood family, highlighting the potential for empathy and compassion amidst economic disparity.
Themes:
* Social Inequality: The novel starkly contrasts the opulence of the wealthy with the hardships faced by those with limited means, highlighting the social injustices of the time.
* Financial Dependence: Poverty exposes the vulnerabilities and limitations imposed upon women in a society where financial independence is paramount.
* The Power of Love: The novel emphasizes how love can endure even in the face of financial hardship, though it often requires sacrifice and resilience.
*Sense and Sensibility* offers a nuanced exploration of poverty, demonstrating its impact on individual lives and the broader social landscape. It serves as a reminder that financial security can be a barrier to happiness and that true love can flourish even in the face of adversity.