Sense and Sensibility

            I am choosing to do the post about Sense and Sensibility.

The author and director of this film did a really good job in casting the roles for the two sisters. The two sisters in this play are complete opposites. There is one sister, Elinor, that is very strict and doesn’t really talk about or show any of her emotions. She is very elegant, and precise about everything she does. She never does anything she isn’t supposed to do, and sticks to all the rules. In controversy, her sister, Marianne, is very free and open to everything. She is the kind of person that follows her heart no matter what she is feeling. She is an open book; she shows whatever she is feeling. It is very apparent that these two girls are complete opposites.

            These two girls could be compared to two different time periods, the Enlightenment (Age of Reason) and the Romantic age. Elinor would represent the Enlightenment age. She represents this age because of the way she acts. Elinor thinks about everything before she does it, and is very logical about everything. The Enlightenment age was all about discipline, restraint, and rationality. These three words describe Elinor perfectly. Elinor is has a lot of control; she doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t follow what she wants to do; she follows what she should do. For example, when she falls in love with Edward, and then she finds out that he is marrying someone else, she doesn’t even show any sadness. She, of course, is feeling sadness inside, but she keeps it to herself for other’s sake. This shows a lot of self-control, and discipline.

            Elinor’s sister, Marianne, is the opposite. Marianne would represent the Romantic age. Marianne is very spontaneous, odd, and follows her heart no matter what. One of the phrases that describe the Romantic age is, emphasis on self. This is exactly how Marianne is. She does not think of anyone else when she makes decisions, and she if very selfish. For example, when Willoughby leaves her, she goes out into the rain and catches a very bad illness. She is not thinking about whom this would affect, she is just thinking about herself, and the sorrow she is feeling. Marianne is a perfect example of what the Romantic time period would be like.

            I think the author and director show that Elinor’s way of living is better. I think the director and author showed this through Elinor ending up with her true love. Marianne had to settle for Colonel Brandon. Marianne was originally in love with John Willoughby, but he left her for a girl with more money. Marianne was completely enveloped in her relationship with John Willoughby, and while she was in this relationship she didn’t care about anyone or anything. Elinor stayed in love with Edward the entire time, and in the end, they ended up getting married. I think the author and director were saying that if you are loyal, caring, and unselfish then you will most always end up with what you want. The author and director showed that Elinor’s life style was the most desired, and right way to live.

            I really liked this film! I recognized a lot of the actors and actresses, and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I wouldn’t say that Elinor or Marianne’s way of living is right. I think there is a balance that can be obtained. A person doesn’t have to be completely controlled, but he/she doesn’t have to be completely out of control either. I think most people would say that they have a balance between the two. I know that I know some people that are like Marianne, and completely out of control. But I also know some people like Elinor, that have total self-control, and quite frankly, aren’t very fun. I don’t know if I am either way. I think that I have a balance. I think there are times to be like Elinor, but there are also times to be like Marianne. There is a time and place for everything. I liked how I could relate these characters to time periods that we are learning about, it made the film more interesting, and I could think about it more in depth.