Sense and Sensibility was the first novel by Jane Austen. The story is about three sisters and their mother who are left almost destitute by the death of their father. Through a turn of events, a cousin offers them a cottage where they live comfortably. Both of the sisters fall in love with men who at first do not make their intentions towards them clear. Edward Ferrars is the brother of the Dashwood sister's sister in-law Fanny. His mother wishes Edward to marry for money, when all the time Edward only wants a quiet life in the country and who does not care about money. When he meets the eldest sister, Elinor Dashwood, they immediately form a bond which leads them both into love, and all the while Edward has been secretly engaged to a Miss Steele for three years.
The middle sister, Marianne, is a very passionate character. She injures her ankle on a hillside one day and is rescued by a man named John Willoughby. They both fall madly in love with one another, but if Willoughby chooses to marry Marianne, he will lose the fortune promised him by his family.
When Willoughby abruptly leaves one day, Elinor and Marianne are asked by their neighbor, Mrs. Jennings, to visit London with her for a few months. After receiving no replies from Willoughby, who is also in town, Marianne is desperate to meet him. They happen to meet at a ball, and Willoughby is rude and unfeeling towards Marianne. Through a turn of events, Elinor finds out that he is promised to another woman who has money and will make a great impact on his fortune. Their friend, Colonel Brandon, proceeds to tell Elinor of Willoughby's qualities which are not the best. Marianne loses herself in depression after Willoughby returns the lock of hair she "so obligingly bestowed" on him (Austen).
Marianne is taken ill while on the way back to Barton Cottage with Elinor, and is on the brink of death. Colonel Brandon is deeply concerned about her, and offers to get her mother and bring her to where they are staying. While in the carriage with Mrs. Dashwood, he professes his love for Marianne and asks her if she survives the sickness, if he may pursue Marianne. Colonel Brandon is an unwavering figure throughout the novel. He loves Marianne even through the depths of despair, and some of her childish notions. Marianne reminds Colonel Brandon of a woman whom he loved in his past, which makes him fall even more in love with her and causes him to be protective of Marianne.
Marianne pulls through the sickness with Elinor's help. It is soon discovered the the Miss Steele Edward was engaged to has fallen in love with his brother and they are married. When Edward visits Barton Cottage, he delivers the good news to her and she is overcome with joy. So after months of being separated from Edward forever, they are finally married. Colonel Brandon and Marianne are also married, and from that day, Willoughby always regrets her and says that there is no woman as beautiful as Mrs. Brandon in the whole world.
Pride and Prejudice was the second novel by Jane Austen. The novel is about Elizabeth Bennet and her family. Mrs. Bennet is set on getting her daughters married off to rich husbands because the fate of their family rests in the fact that if they do not marry well, the family's estate will go to their cousin Mr. Collins. The Bennet family becomes acquainted with the Bingleys and their friend, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is cold and lofty to Elizabeth at first, while the friendly Mr. Bingley falls instantly in love with Jane. The story is centered around Elizabeth and Darcy, and the development of their rocky relationship. In spite of himself, Mr. Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth and proposes, but she tells him she must be in love with a man before she will ever marry him, and had he "behaved in a more gentleman like manner," she would have accepted him. Through a turn of events, he brings justice to the man who runs away with the Bennets youngest daughter, Lydia, and forces him to marry her. Elizabeth does not know this until after the marriage, and her regard and love for him deepens.
Mansfield Park was Austen's third novel. It is the story of Fanny Price, who is sent to live with her wealthy aunt, because her mother married beneath her and their family is very poor. Fanny is caught between the family relationships many times, and finds a friend in the youngest son, Edmund. The Bertram family become friends with Henry and Mary Crawford, who both have their eyes on marrying one of the Bertram children to gain the inheritance. The story intensifies when Henry believes himself to be in love with Fanny, who does not return his feelings. Edmund almost proposes to Mary many times and tells Fanny of his feelings which makes Fanny realize her love for him. Throughout the novel, Henry flirts with the married Maria Bertram, and runs off with her in the end. Mary finally tells Edmund that she wishes his wild and drunken older brother, Tom, were dead so that he could inherit the family fortune. In the conclusion of the novel, Fanny brings the family back together and marries Edmund, while the rest of the party are thrown out of good society because of their deeds (Spark Notes).
Emma is Jane Austen's fourth novel. Emma Woodhouse believes herself to be a great matchmaker, and uses her talents on her new and less fortunate friend Harriet Smith. Harriet is from a questionable back ground, so Emma decides to take her under her wing and find her a husband. She convinces Harriet to refuse a marriage proposal from a man she really does love, and convinces her that she is in love with a man she is not. Emma drags poor Harriet's feelings through rough circumstances, and finally almost all of the suitors are gone. After Harriet is snubbed by Mr. Elton at a ball, Emma's dear friend Mr. Knightley saves her by asking her to dance twice. Thus Harriet believes herself to be in love with Mr. Knightley. Upon hearing this, Emma realizes she is in love with Mr. Knightley also! After a chance meeting with her first suitor, Mr. Martin, Harriet is proposed to again by him. She accepts and they all live happily ever after ( BookRags).
Northanger Abbey. When Catherine Morland visits Bath with her friends, the Allens, she meets Henry Tilney and is unsuccessfully courted by him. She becomes friends with his sister Eleanor, and is asked to visit their home, Northanger Abbey. After spending many happy hours there, a misunderstanding forces Catherine to leave and Henry pursues her and they are married (Book Rags).
Persuasion. Anne Elliot fell in love with Captain Wentworth eight years ago. After being advised against marrying him by her peers, She is now past the marrying age and is doomed to a life alone with her egotistical father, and her stuck up sister. They are forced to rent their estate, and move to Bath. When the tenants arrive, they are a Admiral and Mrs. Croft. Mrs. Croft's brother is Captain Wentworth, although Anne does not
know it at the time. Anne visits her married sister Mary, who believes herself to be sick constantly. They Musgrove family, who have two daughters, Henrietta, Louisa and Charles who is Mary's husband, become great friends. Captain Wentworth is friends with Mr. Musgrove and spends much of his time at their estate. He is merely polite to Anne, although she is very anxious around him. She finally tells herself she has lost him forever. The families decide on a trip to Lyme to visit an old navy friend, and while there, Anne is spotted by a Mr. Elliot, who turns out to be her cousin. Towards the end of the novel, Anne is told by an old school friend that Mr. Elliot only wants to marry her to secure the Elliot inheritance. Captain Wentworth realizes his love for Anne is still there, and he has become much richer since they broke their engagement, so he asks for her hand and is accepted (Spark Notes).
1. Spark Notes. 2010. Web. April 16 2010.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mansfieldpark/
2. Book Rags. 2010. Web. April 16 2010.
http://www.bookrags.com/
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