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Sense and Sensibility · Character

Marianne Dashwood

A seventeen-year-old romantic who believes feeling should be ungoverned, she falls hard and fast for a man as ardent and imprudent as herself.

major

Also known as Marianne, Marianne Dashwood, Miss Marianne, Mary

First appearance: Chapter I

As a major figure in Sense and Sensibility, Marianne Dashwood is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The second daughter, sensible and clever but eager in everything, with no moderation in her sorrows or joys.
In the storyChapter IOpen this moment free

Marianne Dashwood first appears in 0000 i.

With Elinor Dashwood (family): Sisters with a deep bond, where Elinor's rationality often balances Marianne's passionate sensibility. With Mrs. Jennings (social): Marianne tolerates Mrs. Jennings' company with reluctant amusement, often finding her vulgar. With John Willoughby (romantic): Willoughby passionately courts Marianne before callously abandoning her for a wealthier woman.

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how Marianne Dashwood sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

EDElinor DashwoodANAnnamariaMPMr. PrattMTMrs. TaylorMJMrs. JenningsMDMarianne Dashwood

Relationship types

  • Family
  • Social
  • Other

Character groups

  • Romantic Entanglements & Conflicts
  • Protagonist
  • Family, Gossip & Social Circle

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Willoughby, who has previously wronged Mariann…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Marianne Dashwood in Chapter I

In the story

Marianne Dashwood appears across 48 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Marianne Dashwood unlock in the free preview.

See Marianne Dashwood in Chapter I