Tips on how to Talk about ‘Sense and Sensibility’

Verily Journal invitations you to hitch us in studying and discussing our book-club choose of the season: Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.

“She was with none energy, as a result of she was with none need of command over herself.”
—Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Verily Journal invitations you to hitch us in studying and discussing our book-club choose of the season: Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. In our e mail publication, we’ll be sending out particulars about our digital book-club dialogue, so keep watch over your inbox. We additionally encourage you to host an in-person e book membership with any native e book lovers you’ll be able to collect for a comfortable dialogue.

After we had been deciding which e book to learn and talk about collectively this season, we requested our readers whether or not they’d desire a traditional e book or a contemporary learn, and the votes got here in favor of a traditional. We selected Sense and Sensibility as a result of it’s a much-loved novel that actually stands the check of time and bears many a re-read, providing contemporary insights and new themes to discover as you choose it up at totally different ages and phases of life.

Like all of Austen’s novels, Sense and Sensibility is, on the coronary heart of it, an exploration of advantage and character. As we observe the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Austen prompts the reader to think about the proper steadiness of passionate feeling, prudence, and rational thought, as the implications of overemphasizing (and thus allowing the dominion of) feeling, or “sensibility,” over judgment, or “sense,” unfold.

So get comfy and luxuriate in studying (or re-reading!) this sensible e book, and use this information to arrange your personal in-person e book membership.

Dialogue Questions

1. Was this your first time studying the novel? In that case, what was your first impression?
2. If this wasn’t your first time studying it, did you discover that your view of the characters and story had modified upon this re-read, or that you simply seen new particulars? In that case, how have your views modified, and/or what particulars did you discover?
3. Which sister did you end up regarding probably the most, Elinor or Marianne? Why?
4. What do you suppose we will be taught from Marianne’s means of seeing and regarding the world? What can we be taught from Elinor’s?
5. For those who’ve learn Delight and Prejudice, how do you suppose Mr. Willoughby compares to Mr. Wickham?
6. From Lucy Steele’s false friendship and social maneuvering to Fanny and John Dashwood’s snobbery and bizarre relationship with cash, lots of cringeworthy moments which are deeply relevant to fashionable life and relationships happen in Sense and Sensibility. What struck you as probably the most painfully unhealthy habits as you learn the e book?
7. What do you suppose Austen’s central ethical message is, if something, and the way would you apply what she’s saying to fashionable society and relationships?
8. Did you underline or spotlight any quotes that struck you as you learn?

Snack Strategies

We love cheese-and-charcuterie board at e book golf equipment, however different gustatory concepts embrace something straightforward to share on small plates—suppose baked Camembert cheese with uncooked vegetable sticks, a fruit platter with a yogurt-based dip, or just your favourite dessert. Alternatively, you may go for brunch or pastries and low.

For those who’d like to remain on theme, we advise a traditional English afternoon tea with gadgets like dainty cucumber sandwiches, a Victoria sponge cake, or home made English scones.

For those who host a e book membership, we’d like to learn about it! Tag us in your pictures on social media @verilymag utilizing the hashtag #verilyreads so we will cheer you on and share your expertise with our group.

Completely satisfied studying!