Chapter I
The eldest daughter, aged nineteen, possessed of strength of understanding and coolness of judgment. She acts as the counsellor to her mother and strives to govern her strong feelings.
III
Exercises prudence in rejecting unsuitable houses and is the object of Edward Ferrars's affection.
IV
Defends Edward's taste and character to Marianne, admits her esteem for him but expresses uncertainty about his affections and the obstacles to marriage.
Chapter V
Exercises prudent discretion, persuading her mother to sell the carriage and limit the number of servants.
VI
Occupied with arranging drawings in the sitting room.
VII
Endures Mrs. Jennings's raillery with composure, drawing Marianne's anxious concern.
Chapter VIII
Defends Colonel Brandon against Marianne's criticisms and maintains her usual self-command, which Marianne finds puzzling.
IX
Observes Willoughby's arrival with wonder and admiration; later inquires about his background from Sir John.
Willoughby's Courtship of Marianne
Observes the developing relationship with concern, defending Colonel Brandon against Willoughby and Marianne's dismissive remarks.
XI
Serves as the primary observer; she finds Colonel Brandon the only stimulating companion and worries about Marianne's lack of propriety.
XII
Elinor is cautious and practical, questioning the propriety of Marianne accepting a horse from Willoughby and later feeling alarmed by Margaret's teasing about her own romantic interests.
Chapter XIII
Elinor is concerned about Marianne's impropriety in visiting Allenham alone with Willoughby and tries to reason with her about discretion.
XIV
Observes Willoughby's behavior and wonders at the secrecy of his supposed engagement to Marianne.
Chapter XV
Expresses doubt about Willoughby's engagement to Marianne, citing the secrecy and sudden change in his behavior.
Chapter XVI
Urges her mother to ask Marianne about a possible engagement; tries to manage Marianne's seclusion and later feels mortified by Edward's coldness.
Chapter XVII
Engages in debate with Marianne about wealth and happiness, and reflects on misapprehensions of character.
XVIII
Observes Edward's low spirits and the ring with hair, suspecting it is her own; mediates the debate on the picturesque.
XIX
Struggles with Edward's departure, using drawing and composure to manage her grief, contrasting with Marianne's more expressive sorrow.
Chapter XX
Elinor engages in conversation with Mrs. Palmer, seeking information about Willoughby and managing her skepticism about the rumored engagement.
Chapter XXI
Elinor observes the Miss Steeles with discernment, noting Lucy's artfulness and Anne's folly, and is left without wish to know them better.
XXII
Elinor is the primary listener as Lucy Steele reveals her secret engagement to Edward Ferrars; she struggles to maintain composure while feeling mortified and shocked.
Chapter XXIII
Struggles to conceal her distress over Edward's engagement, seeks to clarify Lucy's intentions, and resolves to maintain composure.
Chapter XXIV
Engages in a cautious and controlled conversation with Lucy Steele about Edward Ferrars, concealing her own feelings and seeing through Lucy's insincerity.
XXV
Elinor reluctantly agrees to the London visit, motivated by a desire to protect Marianne and to manage her own private anxieties about Edward Ferrars.
XXVI
Accompanies Marianne and Mrs. Jennings to London; writes to her mother; observes Marianne's behavior with concern; entertains Colonel Brandon after Marianne's abrupt exit.
Chapter XXVII
Struggles to manage Marianne's expectations and protect her reputation; confirms the engagement to Colonel Brandon despite her own doubts.
Chapter XXVIII
Observes Willoughby's coldness, tries to calm Marianne, and reflects on the likely end of the relationship.
Chapter XXIX
Quietly supports Marianne, reads Willoughby's letter with indignation, and reveals her own hidden sorrows when Marianne insists Elinor must be happy.
Chapter 31
Supports Marianne, manages social niceties with Mrs. Jennings, and discusses Willoughby's character with Colonel Brandon.
XXXI
Provides steady counsel to Marianne, writes to their mother about Willoughby's rejection, and listens to Colonel Brandon's painful history.
Chapter XXXII
Elinor bears the painful duty of informing Marianne of Willoughby's marriage and manages the family's social interactions with composure.
Chapter XXXIII
Endures her brother's mercenary conversation and deflects his hints about Colonel Brandon.
Chapter XXXIV
Endures Mrs. Ferrars's pointed disdain with composure; amused by the irony of Lucy being favored instead.
Chapter XXXV
Elinor observes Mrs. Ferrars's pride and meanness, and is forced to listen to Lucy's self-congratulatory account of the visit.
XXXVI
Observes the dynamics between Lucy Steele and the Middleton family; remains indifferent to musical performances.
Chapter XXXVII
Reveals Edward's engagement to Marianne, demonstrating her self-command and duty despite her own heartbreak.
Chapter XXXVIII
Reflects on Edward's integrity and avoids dwelling on the topic with Marianne.
Chapter XXXIX
Arranges the visit to Cleveland and agrees to deliver Colonel Brandon's offer of the Delaford living to Edward Ferrars.
Chapter XL
Elinor delivers Colonel Brandon's offer to Edward, managing her own feelings while maintaining composure.
Chapter XLI
Visits John Dashwood alone, defends Colonel Brandon's generosity, and silently endures Robert Ferrars' mockery of Edward.
XLII
Observes Colonel Brandon's attentions and Marianne's worsening cold; reflects on leaving London and her hopes for tranquility at Barton.
XLIII
Anxiously nurses Marianne through her illness, remaining composed and hopeful despite the danger.
Chapter XLIV
Elinor listens to Willoughby's confession, initially angry but gradually softened by his apparent remorse, while still maintaining her sense of propriety.
XLV
Struggles with her feelings after Willoughby's visit, torn between pity and judgment; listens to her mother's plans for Marianne and Colonel Brandon.
Chapter XLVI
Watches over Marianne with concern, noting her sister's emotional growth but dreading the need to disclose Willoughby's secret.
XLVII
Reveals Willoughby's story to Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood, and later delivers a calm, rational critique of Willoughby's selfishness. She also receives the news of Edward's marriage with composure.
XLVIII
Struggles with the news of Edward's supposed marriage, then experiences overwhelming joy upon learning the truth.
XLIX
Overcome with happiness upon learning of Edward's freedom and his proposal; she discusses Lucy's marriage and Edward's plans for reconciliation.
Chapter L
Elinor is happily married to Edward Ferrars, living near her family and maintaining close ties with her mother and sisters.
