# Elinor Dashwood — Sense and Sensibility character guide > Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Elinor, Miss Dashwood, dear Elinor, poor Elinor **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are The eldest Dashwood sister, whose steady sense and concealed feelings make her the family's quiet negotiator in love, money, and other people's secrets. ## Relationships ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _family_ Sisters with a deep bond, where Elinor's rationality often balances Marianne's passionate sensibility. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings. ### [Edward Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/edward_ferrars) _romantic_ Edward and Elinor share a quiet, deep romantic attachment complicated by his secret engagement. ### [Lucy Steele](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/lucy_steele) _rivalry_ Lucy is Elinor's cunning rival for Edward's affections, revealing her secret engagement to torment Elinor. ### [John Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby) _rivalry_ Elinor distrusts Willoughby as a manipulative seducer who wronged her sister Marianne. ### [Colonel Brandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/colonel_brandon) _friendship_ Colonel Brandon is a trusted, confiding friend to Elinor, sharing his painful past with her. ### [Sir John Middleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/sir_john_middleton) _social_ Elinor is a polite and grateful guest of the hospitable but boisterous Sir John. ### [Mr. Palmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mr_palmer) _social_ Elinor is a patient acquaintance of the rude and sarcastic Mr. Palmer, who respects her composure. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _family_ Sisters with a deep bond, where Elinor's rationality often balances Marianne's passionate sensibility. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _family_ Sisters with a deep bond, where Elinor's rationality often balances Marianne's passionate sensibility. ### [Colonel Brandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/colonel_brandon) _friendship_ Colonel Brandon is a trusted, confiding friend to Elinor, sharing his painful past with her. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/iii) Exercises prudence in rejecting unsuitable houses and is the object of Edward Ferrars's affection. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/v) Exercises prudent discretion, persuading her mother to sell the carriage and limit the number of servants. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vi) Occupied with arranging drawings in the sitting room. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vii) Endures Mrs. Jennings's raillery with composure, drawing Marianne's anxious concern. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/viii) Defends Colonel Brandon against Marianne's criticisms and maintains her usual self-command, which Marianne finds puzzling. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/ix) Observes Willoughby's arrival with wonder and admiration; later inquires about his background from Sir John. ### [Willoughby's Courtship of Marianne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/x) Observes the developing relationship with concern, defending Colonel Brandon against Willoughby and Marianne's dismissive remarks. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xi) Serves as the primary observer; she finds Colonel Brandon the only stimulating companion and worries about Marianne's lack of propriety. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiii) Elinor is concerned about Marianne's impropriety in visiting Allenham alone with Willoughby and tries to reason with her about discretion. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiv) Observes Willoughby's behavior and wonders at the secrecy of his supposed engagement to Marianne. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xv) Expresses doubt about Willoughby's engagement to Marianne, citing the secrecy and sudden change in his behavior. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xvii) Engages in debate with Marianne about wealth and happiness, and reflects on misapprehensions of character. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xviii) Observes Edward's low spirits and the ring with hair, suspecting it is her own; mediates the debate on the picturesque. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xix) Struggles with Edward's departure, using drawing and composure to manage her grief, contrasting with Marianne's more expressive sorrow. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xx) Elinor engages in conversation with Mrs. Palmer, seeking information about Willoughby and managing her skepticism about the rumored engagement. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiii) Struggles to conceal her distress over Edward's engagement, seeks to clarify Lucy's intentions, and resolves to maintain composure. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvii) Struggles to manage Marianne's expectations and protect her reputation; confirms the engagement to Colonel Brandon despite her own doubts. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxviii) Observes Willoughby's coldness, tries to calm Marianne, and reflects on the likely end of the relationship. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxx) Supports Marianne, manages social niceties with Mrs. Jennings, and discusses Willoughby's character with Colonel Brandon. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxi) Provides steady counsel to Marianne, writes to their mother about Willoughby's rejection, and listens to Colonel Brandon's painful history. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxii) Elinor bears the painful duty of informing Marianne of Willoughby's marriage and manages the family's social interactions with composure. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiii) Endures her brother's mercenary conversation and deflects his hints about Colonel Brandon. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiv) Endures Mrs. Ferrars's pointed disdain with composure; amused by the irony of Lucy being favored instead. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxv) Elinor observes Mrs. Ferrars's pride and meanness, and is forced to listen to Lucy's self-congratulatory account of the visit. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvi) Observes the dynamics between Lucy Steele and the Middleton family; remains indifferent to musical performances. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvii) Reveals Edward's engagement to Marianne, demonstrating her self-command and duty despite her own heartbreak. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxviii) Reflects on Edward's integrity and avoids dwelling on the topic with Marianne. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxix) Arranges the visit to Cleveland and agrees to deliver Colonel Brandon's offer of the Delaford living to Edward Ferrars. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xl) Elinor delivers Colonel Brandon's offer to Edward, managing her own feelings while maintaining composure. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xli) Visits John Dashwood alone, defends Colonel Brandon's generosity, and silently endures Robert Ferrars' mockery of Edward. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlii) Observes Colonel Brandon's attentions and Marianne's worsening cold; reflects on leaving London and her hopes for tranquility at Barton. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliii) Anxiously nurses Marianne through her illness, remaining composed and hopeful despite the danger. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliv) Elinor listens to Willoughby's confession, initially angry but gradually softened by his apparent remorse, while still maintaining her sense of propriety. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlvi) Watches over Marianne with concern, noting her sister's emotional growth but dreading the need to disclose Willoughby's secret. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlviii) Struggles with the news of Edward's supposed marriage, then experiences overwhelming joy upon learning the truth. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/l) Elinor is happily married to Edward Ferrars, living near her family and maintaining close ties with her mother and sisters. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters