Book Anatomy · Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility: Openings and endings
13 lenses on openings and endings for Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13
F1. First line and first paragraph: what each does. Both
The first full paragraph runs to 209 words and 9 sentences.
The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. (Ch 1, para 1)
The opening establishes the Dashwood family's settled prosperity and the entailment that will dispossess them. It sets a formal, omniscient tone and introduces the central financial crisis that drives the plot.
Chapters: Ch 1
The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park (Ch 1, para 1)
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure (Ch 1, para 3)
F2. What the first page sets up: voice, world, question. AI
The first page establishes voice as formal and observant, the world as Georgian England with rigid property laws, and the question as how the Dashwood women will survive financial ruin. It introduces Elinor's steadiness and Marianne's sensibility.
Chapters: Ch 1
The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park (Ch 1, para 1)
Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment (Ch 1, para 11)
Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything (Ch 1, para 12)
F3. How many words before the lead appears? Count
First dialogue after 890 words. See the full lens on the book page.
F4. How many words before the first line of dialogue? Count
First dialogue after 890 words. See the full lens on the book page.
F5. The hook of chapter one. AI
Chapter 1's hook is the revelation that the estate is entailed away and Mr. Dashwood dies within a year, leaving his widow and three daughters with only ten thousand pounds and no home. This inciting incident forces the entire plot.
Chapters: Ch 1
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure (Ch 1, para 3)
F6. Prologue: its job and its length. Both
No prologue: the book starts in its first chapter.
Not a feature of this book. The novel opens directly with the Dashwood family's situation without a separate prologue.
F7. How fast is the main story question posed? AI
The main story question emerges in chapter 1: how will the Dashwood women secure their futures? Secondary questions about Elinor's love for Edward and Marianne's attachment to Willoughby develop in chapters 3 to 9.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 9
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure (Ch 1, para 3)
It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality (Ch 3, para 5)
F8. Final chapter: which beats resolve what. AI
Chapter 50 resolves all major beats. Edward and Elinor marry, Marianne accepts Colonel Brandon, Lucy marries Robert Ferrars, and Mrs. Ferrars consents. Financial security is achieved through marriage. Willoughby learns of his lost opportunity and regrets his choices.
Chapters: Ch 50
she issued her decree of consent to the marriage of Edward and Elinor (Ch 50, para 3)
a most encouraging instance of what an earnest, an unceasing attention to self-interest, however its progress may be apparently obstructed, will do in securing every advantage of fortune (Ch 50, para 11)
Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions (Ch 50, para 15)
F9. Last line: what it leaves in the mind. Both
The last full paragraph runs to 60 words.
Between Barton and Delaford, there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate; and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands. (Ch 50, para 21)
The last line notes that Willoughby's regret at losing Marianne was his only punishment, leaving him as a cautionary figure. The ending emphasises that the virtuous characters find happiness while the selfish face quiet suffering.
Chapters: Ch 50
F10. Loose ends tied and left open. AI
All major plot threads resolve. Edward and Elinor marry, Marianne marries Brandon, Lucy marries Robert. The Dashwood family's financial security is assured. Willoughby's fate is left ambiguous but regretful. Margaret's future is not detailed.
Chapters: Ch 50
she issued her decree of consent to the marriage of Edward and Elinor (Ch 50, para 3)
F11. Epilogue: its job. Both
No chapter called an epilogue. The last chapter is 2,483 words.
Chapter 50 serves as epilogue, surveying the fates of all major characters and their households. It assesses the moral outcomes of their choices and provides closure on financial and romantic matters.
Chapters: Ch 50
a most encouraging instance of what an earnest, an unceasing attention to self-interest, however its progress may be apparently obstructed, will do in securing every advantage of fortune (Ch 50, para 11)
Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions (Ch 50, para 15)
they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands (Ch 50, para 21)
F12. Echoes between the opening and the ending. AI
The opening establishes the Dashwoods' loss of Norland and financial precarity. The ending shows them restored to security through advantageous marriages. Elinor's early restraint and sense are vindicated. Marianne's sensibility is tempered by experience.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 50
The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park (Ch 1, para 1)
Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions (Ch 50, para 15)
F13. Length of the wind down after the climax. Count
After the climax (chapter 48, our reading) the book runs 6,728 more words, 5.6% of the whole.
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