# John Willoughby — Sense and Sensibility character guide > John Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Willoughby, Mr. Willoughby, poor Willoughby **First appearance:** 0009-x ## Who they are A dashing young man of quick imagination and open manners, he seems made for Marianne until his carelessness with propriety begins to worry her sister. ## Relationships ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Elinor distrusts Willoughby as a manipulative seducer who wronged her sister Marianne. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Willoughby passionately courts Marianne before callously abandoning her for a wealthier woman. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Willoughby is a charming but insincere acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who initially approves of him. ### [Sir John Middleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/sir_john_middleton) _social_ Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Elinor distrusts Willoughby as a manipulative seducer who wronged her sister Marianne. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Elinor distrusts Willoughby as a manipulative seducer who wronged her sister Marianne. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Willoughby is a charming but insincere acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who initially approves of him. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Willoughby passionately courts Marianne before callously abandoning her for a wealthier woman. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Willoughby passionately courts Marianne before callously abandoning her for a wealthier woman. ### [Sir John Middleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/sir_john_middleton) _social_ Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Willoughby is a charming but insincere acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who initially approves of him. ### [Sir John Middleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/sir_john_middleton) _social_ Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal. ## In the story ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/ix) First appearance: rescues Marianne after her fall, carries her home, and introduces himself; his handsome appearance and graceful manners captivate the Dashwood family. ### [Willoughby's Courtship of Marianne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/x) Visits daily, displaying charm and shared passions with Marianne, though Elinor notes his lack of caution and disregard for social forms. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xi) Constantly in Marianne's company, he shares her views on unreserved affection and openly shows his admiration. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xii) Willoughby gives Marianne a horse, addresses her by her Christian name, and cuts a lock of her hair, furthering the evidence of their engagement. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiii) Willoughby takes Marianne to Allenham alone and later dismisses Colonel Brandon's departure as a trick, showing his manipulative and dismissive nature. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiv) Shows deep affection for Barton Cottage and the Dashwoods; speaks of his attachment and future happiness. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned by Sir John and Mrs. Jennings; Marianne blushes at his name; Edward guesses he hunts. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xx) Discussed by Mrs. Palmer, who claims he is to marry Marianne and speaks of his general reputation. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvi) Expected by Marianne to be in London; she writes him a letter; his failure to appear or reply causes anxiety and disappointment. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxviii) Appears at the party with a fashionable young woman, avoids Marianne, and leaves abruptly after a brief, cold exchange. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxix) Sends a cold, formal letter denying any serious attachment, returning Marianne's letters and lock of hair, and announcing his engagement to another. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as being engaged to Miss Grey, having deceived Marianne, and having broken no positive engagement with her. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxii) Willoughby marries Miss Grey and leaves town, prompting widespread condemnation from the Dashwoods' circle. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliv) Willoughby delivers a lengthy, passionate confession to Elinor, detailing his selfish intentions, his love for Marianne, and his regret over his choices. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlv) Elinor thinks of him with pity and regret after his visit, referring to him as 'poor Willoughby'; his past actions and confession weigh on her mind. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/l) Willoughby lives on with sincere repentance and regret for his treatment of Marianne, but does not die of a broken heart; he finds some domestic felicity in his own marriage and sporting pursuits. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters