About the Book: Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are sisters whose temperaments couldn’t be more different. Elinor embodies sense—rational, composed, and dutiful—prudently concealing her emotions even amid heartbreak for the sake of propriety eNotesStudySmarter UKWikipedia. In contrast, Marianne personifies sensibility—passionate, impulsive, and emotionally transparent—allowing herself to love deeply and suffer openly LitChartsSparkNotesWikipedia. When their father’s death forces them into uncertainty, Elinor masks her grief with calm resolve, while Marianne’s romantic idealism leads to emotional upheaval eNotesEncyclopedia Britannica. Ultimately, both sisters learn the importance of balance—Elinor embracing emotional expression, Marianne tempering emotion with restraint—for growth and fulfillment