WOMEN’S LIBERATION IN JANE AUSTEN'S SENSE AND SENSIBILITY: BALANCING EMOTION AND INDEPENDENCE

Abstract

This article examines Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" (1811) through the lens of early women's liberation, exploring how Austen navigates themes of emotion and independence within the constraints of Regency-era England. Through a close analysis of the novel's protagonists, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, the study investigates Austen's nuanced portrayal of women's agency and her critique of societal expectations. The research draws on feminist literary criticism, historical context, and close textual analysis to argue that Austen presents a sophisticated exploration of women's roles and freedoms. The paper demonstrates how Austen uses the contrasting personalities of the Dashwood sisters to examine different approaches to female independence, balancing rationality with emotional expression. It further explores Austen's treatment of education, marriage, and social constraints as key themes in the novel's engagement with women's liberation. By situating "Sense and Sensibility" within both its historical context and the broader trajectory of feminist literature, this study highlights Austen's significant contribution to early feminist discourse. The article concludes that Austen's nuanced approach to women's independence in "Sense and Sensibility" offers enduring insights into the complexities of navigating personal autonomy within societal constraints, cementing the novel's place in the canon of early feminist literature.