Theme of money in Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen is one of the most famous female English novelists of the nineteenth century. She has written a few novels during her lifetime, but all of her novels have been praised and read in universities all around the world. Sense and Sensibility was her first published novel, which was published in 1811. The story revolves around two sisters- Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The writer of this novel has shown how the lives of these two sisters have been affected because of a lack of money from the beginning to the end. She has successfully satirized the misuse of money of her time. 

Money is one of the few important themes in Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility. It gets more importance than other themes. Even it influences other themes like love and marriage. By reading the novel, readers can come to know both the positive and negative impact of money on each character. Not only that but also the writer has shown the connection between love, money and marriage in her novel. It seems that the writer’s intention was to show the misuse of money of her time. 

 

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Before discussing the theme of money, readers will have to know the condition of people, especially women in the nineteenth century. Though Queen Victoria was in the power of the English throne, the condition of women did not improve a lot. Most of their status in the society was a little better than a slave. At that time, women did not have any right to own property and after their marriage, their property automatically went to their husbands. For this reason, they had to obey men. Women had no independent means of subsistence. Women were deprived of their rights. They were given less education and could obtain only low-paid jobs. The only purpose of women was to marry and reproduce. When the time of marriage came, women used to give more importance based on money or inheritance they own. These are some of the major characteristics of the 19th century, which give a clear idea about the condition of women in the society. 

By looking at the female characters of the novel Sense and Sensibility, readers will get a clear idea of how love and marriage have been affected by money. The attitudes and opinions about money are very different today than they were in 1811. Love gets less importance when money is in question. 

The novel begins with a little description of the law surrounding inheritance that put the Dashwood women in limbo at the beginning of the novel. John Dashwood, the weak-minded and money-grubbing heir to the Norland estate, breaks his promise that he gave to his father at his death bed. By the influence of his wife Fanny Dashwood, he leaves his mother and sisters with very little money and remains largely indifferent about their welfare. 

This novel is also the best example of how money is connected to social status. If readers look at Mrs. Ferrars, mother of Edward Ferrars, they can see that she wants her eldest son to marry a wealthy and well-connected woman. When she found out that Edward was engaged to Lucy Steele, who is poorer and socially inferior woman to even Elinor, she was so angry that she disinherited her son. 
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are the central characters of this novel. We can find their different point of view about money when they talk to Edward about it. Elinor believes that love is vital to happiness, and an impoverished marriage will put a strain that would not be there if the two had more money. Marianne has different view about it. She thinks that love is the only aspect of marriage that matters. 

In this novel, we can see that Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are worthy and likable women in every way. They have every good quality that can help them find a good husband. It is sad to see that their good qualities are not considered because the society they live in is primarily interested in money and social connections, neither of which the sisters possess. 

It is important to mention that marriage for money was not only because of greed but also it was partly a matter of practicality. It was a very common matter at that time. Many people of Austen’s time had to sacrifice their love only for money. If we look at the character of Mr. Willoughby then we can see that he gave up his love to marry for wealth. He was in love with Marianne Dashwood, but due to his desire for a lavish lifestyle, he did not continue his relationship with Marianne. He got married to Miss Sophia Grey. 

Lucy Steele has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars for four years, but when Edward is disinherited, she marries Edward's young brother Robert. It shows that this sly, selfish and insecure young woman loved Edward’s money and social status not him. Money was important to her not love. 

Colonel Brandon is perhaps different compared to other characters of this novel. This aged bachelor is not concerned about wealth or does not have any desire to improve his status in society. He loved Marianne at first sight and did not think about her social status or whatever she owned as property. Another important thing is that he is only able to marry Marianne because he is rich enough to ignore her lack of fortune. 

Jane Austen used the theme of money in almost all of her novels. It seems that she was obsessed with this thing along with love and marriage. If we look at her another famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, then we can see almost the same thing that how a family suffers due to lack of money. The Bennet family did not have any son who can claim their property. For this reason, they were worried about the lives of their five daughters. Their mother always looked better and rich life partners for them which will make their lives secure. Even, it can be seen that the Bingley family always neglects the Bennet family for their social status. Not only girls but also men wish to marry a woman of high class for financial gain. An example of this is Colonel Fitzwilliam and George Wickham who once tries to elope with Miss Darcy. Marrying a woman of a rich family also helps ensure a connection to a high family. This attitude can be seen in the desire of the Bingley sisters who want their brother married to Miss Darcy. 

Girls without money or property are considered less fortunate. Those who did not have any property or money were considered less attractive as bride. Dowry was a social crime and it was a common practice of Jane Austen’s time. The lives of women were not secure. There was no insurance in the 1800's, and getting married to a rich bride or groom was the only way to secure a future. Divorce was very rare and people regarded marriage for whole life. 

Time has changed a lot. People today give more importance to marriage for love rather than money. In today’s society, wealth does not represent social status as it used to be. Women enjoy a lot of freedom and are considered equal to men. They are capable of doing anything that men can do. 

Actually Jane Austen in her novel wanted to show that good, worthy and sensible characters marry for love, without it they will not marry. She also poked fun at that society by showing how flawed marriages without love, those chosen for gain above love, really were. 

In Jane Austen’s time, money was considered more important than love. Characters often chose wealth over love. They had belief in their mind that money would bring more happiness in their lives.