Sense, Sensibility, and Siblings on Screen

Dr. Jenny Rytting of Northwest Missouri State University will present on author Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility", focusing on the original meaning of the terms and how each sibling pair exemplifies them. She'll explore the recent screen adaptations as well.

The meanings of “sense” and “sensibility” have changed since Austen published her first novel in 1811. This presentation will explore these terms, using contemporary definitions (such as Samuel Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary), close reading (of how and about whom Austen uses those terms), sibling relationships (sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood and Anne and Lucy Steele and brothers Edward and Robert Ferrars), and modern movie adaptations (including the most recent!) in order to better understand these complementary—not opposite—qualities.

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