There are a number of deaths in the novel Sense and Sensibility, but Jane Austen was no stranger to death, being the daughter of a Vicar she would have attended the funerals of the local church and she would have witnessed first hand the effects it had on families. London in the eighteenth century was a hazardous place to live health wise, as living conditions and hygiene was poor. Anita Gorman’s study of Jane Austen titled The body in Illness and Health reveals that disease and filth were everywhere and doctors used ineffective and dangerous methods as cures. Hysteria and fainting were common ailments and Jane uses both in Sense and Sensibility to portray the depth of Marianne’s emotion. Jane’s novels are said to be light, entertaining reading, yet death, as a minor character is present throughout this novel. Death is integral to the plot of Sense and Sensibility it enlightens readers to the imposition of the weaker sex in the 18-century of England.
The opening chapters of Sense and Sensibility begin with a death, the old gentleman who is uncle to Mr Henry Dashwood lived to a great age and when he passed away he bequeathed his property to his nephew, Henry Dashwood. Unfortunately for the Dashwood ladies their father passed away also and the land was then entailed to Henry’s first-born son Mr John Dashwood. The ladies lives are now forever altered they are homeless and have limited resources. It was not permissible in eighteenth century England for females to inherit land. Land had to pass to the next living male relative and in the novel their nearest male relative did not have half as much love for his half sisters as could be expected, he allowed them a small allowance of 500 pounds. They had no option but to move far into the country, to take up residence in an old cottage offered by a distance cousin. Jane Austen as a writer lived in a male dominated society, this would seem problematic, however, she portrays the case for women with such politeness,...