In the novel Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen uses various thematic elements to educate the reader about the nature of British high society in the 19th century. One of the most impactful motifs in the book is the idea that class guides an individual's decisions and becomes a sort of higher power that dictates marriages, family ties, and living arrangements. People are accepted or exiled based on their social standing, and marriages “for love” are a rarity among the semi-nobles. Throughout the novel, Austen makes a unique commentary on society's values ​​and at the same time tells an interesting story of a very particular case of a family (the Dashwoods) who are somehow stuck in the middle. Austen examines the varying importance of the roles that class and love play in society through the juxtaposition of various romantic situations in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay First, Austen sheds light on the cold and selfish demands of society in order to examine how the pressures of society have imposed themselves on the Dashwood family. Willoughby and Marianne, for example, are “in love” but cannot be married. While this might seem ridiculous to the modern reader, Austen makes clear the seemingly ridiculous nature of society through Willoughby's dismissal and subsequent visit to Marianne, in which he explains why he left her for the richer Ms. Grey. Although Willoughby realizes that he can never be happy with her, he can at least come to live with Mrs. Gray with a sense of financial stability. He rejects Marianne not because he was not in love with her, but because he grew up in a class system where high society is taught to preserve their family name rather than be socially unstable and banished into the dregs of the tiered class system English. . So, even though "[he] felt that she was infinitely dearer to me than any other woman in the world," Willoughby can never be with Marianne because of limitations which, in his opinion, prevail over any sense of true love (Austen 274) . But while even the mischievous Willoughby comes to accept his superficiality, Marianne deludes herself with unrealistic perceptions of love and wealth. When Elinor practically states that “wealth has much to do with” happiness, Marianne rejects this notion, arguing that “beyond a competence, it can offer no real satisfaction” (Austen 152). But when the sisters compare real figures, Marianne's romantic idealism is flattened, as her idea of ​​"expertise" is two thousand pounds a year, which doubles Elinor's notion of wealth. Austen uses irony to convey that the importance of money does not diminish among those who claim to be above it. Elinor's relationship with Edward is also defined by the rigid limitations of society at the time. Although Edward would like to pursue his own lifestyle, he is constantly held back by his worried mother. To live comfortably and inherit his rightful fortune (according to primogeniture), he is forced to marry a woman of desirable status and Elinor, being the practical voice of the Dashwood family, forces herself to accept him. The secret engagement of Edward and lower-class Lucy Steele comes as a shock to everyone, as without her family's inheritance or any semblance of a dowry from Lucy, the two could not live comfortably. Lucy realizes that Edward is no longer the heir to any fortune and refocuses her affections on her younger brother. Austen uses the character of Lucy Steele to represent the ideals of society as a whole, giving in to rather greedy impulses.