# John Dashwood — Sense and Sensibility character guide

> John Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. John Dashwood, John Dashwood

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

Elinor and Marianne's half-brother, a cold-hearted but well-respected man whose good intentions toward his sisters dissolve under his wife's persuasion.

## Who they are

John Dashwood promises his dying father he will make his stepmother and half-sisters comfortable, and genuinely means to give them a thousand pounds apiece. But he is very fond of his wife, and Fanny is a stronger, narrower version of himself; by degrees the sum shrinks to nothing. His propriety in ordinary duties earns him general respect, yet his weakness and selfishness leave the Dashwood women dependent on the charity of distant relatives, and his failure of nerve is the quiet engine of the plot.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/i)

The son from Mr. Henry Dashwood's first marriage, who inherits Norland. He is well-meaning but cold-hearted and selfish, easily swayed by his wife to break his promise to his father.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/ii)

Weak-willed and easily swayed by his wife, he abandons his initial intention to give his sisters a substantial sum, ultimately deciding to do nothing meaningful.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/v)

Expresses hypocritical regret that the distance prevents him from fulfilling his promise to his father, while his wife Fanny is pleased at their departure.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Visits Elinor, discusses finances, speculates on Mrs. Jennings's will, and promotes a match with Colonel Brandon.

### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Hosts the dinner party; tries to secure Colonel Brandon's company; conversationally deficient.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Visits and expresses sympathy for Edward, criticizing Mrs. Ferrars's conduct.

### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xli)

Questions the value of the living, speculates on Colonel Brandon's motives, and hints at Mrs. Ferrars' preference for Elinor over Lucy.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlix)

Writes a letter expressing solemnity over Lucy's marriage and suggesting Edward write a letter of submission to Mrs. Ferrars.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_dashwood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters