Women's Sense and Sensibility of The 1800’s vs. Today. Which Is Better?
- Lacey Avery
- Apr 7, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 17, 2022
Originally published in 1811 this classic novel was Jane Austen’s first of her published works.
I am not naturally inclined to like fictional stories. But I absolutely am attracted to ones that have won great praise and/or have stood the tests of time, such as this one.
My hopes were high going into reading it, however making my way through Volume One, or a whole third of the book had me… bored. A typical story about young women, immature romances, and gossip. Oh the gossip! I found terribly vexing, initially.
Though, moving through it, I slowly began to find myself encapsulated by the characters and unfolding plot. As the story developed I kept wanting more, needing to read just one more chapter. I am happy to say this novel did not disappoint! Like I thought it was going to.
A few thoughts I had while reading it—
It’s your move.
This book is over 200 years old, but I found the social etiquette remained to be similar with current times. Flirting and playing games between men and women, heartache and disappointment of a heart break, saving face for the sake of propriety.
Call me insensible but…
Subtract the proper English, hand written letters, horse and carriage rides; insert trendy catchphrases, “read” but unanswered text messages, and frozen yogurt runs, and I have to say I found it to be very similar.
Which had me questioning the Sense and Sensibility of all of it!! I would think that we have evolved socially. But negative and adverse behaviors such as gossip and secret relationships seem to have not. Or such DRAMA from a short and senseless romance that lasted a month.. Get it together, Marianne.
On the contrary of my point here, all the females in this novel are young. I cannot say that I was anything atypical from a millennial young adult myself, though I am only a ripe age shy of 30 today. I can’t help but chuckle at a point in the novel when the women are talking about another particular women being 27 and unmarried. How old and washed up she was at her age and basically had no hope for marriage, or future for that matter.
A Journey for Respect.
The general attitude toward women’s sense and sensibility has changed a great deal since the publishing of this novel. We know this. But to give a comparative example—
One of the main characters, Marianne, was smart, outgoing, and beautiful but had a notorious reputation for ignoring proper etiquette (for a women) at the time. In one scene, she spoke up for herself and her sister when she felt wronged. And in repercussion of doing so, suffered backlash from her circle. Suddenly being spoken of as not having good health, being very nervous and even having a loss in beauty! ALL because she spoke up.
On second thought, has this changed?
99 Years and 99 problems.
It heartened me to think about how times were indeed like this at one point, not very long ago even. However, it allowed me to breathe in gratitude, that I was fortunate enough to have been born into a different time. Where I am allowed to have my own voice, have a say in my own body, my own future. My worth is not measured solely on the man I marry. I am allowed to work and vote! The 19th amendment, allowing women to vote, was ratified in 1920. Less than 100 years ago! Let that sink in…
Respect the Journey.
This is the sense and sensibility this book reminded me of, humbled me.
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