Sense and Sensibility · Character

Mrs. Jennings

A bustling widow with an ample jointure and nothing to do but marry off the world, she mistakes gossip for gospel and kindness for tact.

supporting

Also known as dear Mrs. Jennings

First appearance: Chapter VIII

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

Lady Middleton's mother; a good-humored, merry, fat, elderly woman who talks much and makes vulgar jokes about lovers and husbands.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

Mrs. Jennings is the Dashwood sisters' host in London, a woman whose zeal for matchmaking runs ahead of her ability to read a room. She cheerfully spreads the rumor of Marianne's engagement to Willoughby, laughing over a letter that leaves Marianne nearly choked with grief, while Elinor must sit beside her and quietly insist the report is false. Her good heart and total want of delicacy make her both a genuine comfort and an unwitting instrument of pain, and she keeps the social machinery of the novel turning.

See Mrs. Jennings in VII Book page

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Character Web

26 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Romantic Entanglements & Conflicts
Family, Gossip & Social Circle
Protagonist

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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

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Relationships

Elinor Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. How this plays out →
Marianne Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Edward Ferrars
social · ambivalent
Colonel Brandon
social · positive
Lucy Steele
social · ambivalent
John Willoughby
social · ambivalent
Sir John Middleton
family · positive
Mr. Palmer
family · negative
Elinor Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. How this plays out →
Elinor Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. How this plays out →
Colonel Brandon
social · positive
Marianne Dashwood
social · ambivalent

Elinor Dashwood
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings.
Marianne Dashwood
Marianne tolerates Mrs. Jennings' company with reluctant amusement, often finding her vulgar.
Edward Ferrars
Edward is a polite acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who teases him about his relationship with Elinor.
Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne.
Lucy Steele
Lucy is a flattering, scheming guest of Mrs. Jennings, who is unaware of her true nature.
John Willoughby
Willoughby is a charming but insincere acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who initially approves of him.
Sir John Middleton
Mrs. Jennings is Sir John Middleton's mother-in-law, and they share a jovial, gossipy relationship.
Mr. Palmer
Mr. Palmer is Mrs. Jennings' son-in-law, treating her with barely concealed contempt and rudeness.
Elinor Dashwood
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings.
Elinor Dashwood
Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings.
Colonel Brandon
Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne.
Marianne Dashwood
Marianne tolerates Mrs. Jennings' company with reluctant amusement, often finding her vulgar.

Relationship notes

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

See Mrs. Jennings in Chapter VIII

In the story

Mrs. Jennings appears across 27 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
Lady Middleton's mother; a good-humored, merry, fat, elderly woman who talks much and makes vulgar jokes about lovers and husbands.
Chapter VIII
A widow with an ample jointure, she is eager to marry off all the young people and quickly decides Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne.
XII
Mrs. Jennings teases Elinor about her favorite gentleman, adding to the mirth of the party.
Chapter XIII
Mrs. Jennings reveals she discovered Marianne and Willoughby's visit to Allenham and speculates about Colonel Brandon's business involving Miss Williams.
XIV
Speculates at length about the reason for Colonel Brandon's sudden departure.
Chapter XVI
Mentioned as joining Sir John in witticisms that pain Marianne.
XVIII
Visits with Sir John, suggests a dance and teases about Willoughby.
XIX
Chatters about the Palmers' journey and Mrs. Palmer's pregnancy, displaying her gossipy and jovial nature.
Chapter XXIV
Makes a brief, jovial comment about the young people's beaux, adding a layer of social observation to the scene.
XXV
Mrs. Jennings warmly presses the invitation, promising to chaperone the sisters and even to help them find husbands.
XXVI
Hosts the Dashwood sisters on their journey to London; treats them with kindness; later joins the party for dinner and whist.
Chapter XXVII
Hosts the Dashwoods; comments on Willoughby's absence at the ball and provides gossip about the engagement.
Chapter XXVIII
Absent from the party due to her daughter's indisposition.
Chapter XXIX
Remains cheerfully oblivious to the true situation, joking about Marianne's supposed engagement and insisting the match is certain.
Chapter 31
Brings news of Willoughby's engagement, attempts to comfort Marianne with food and drink, and speculates about Colonel Brandon's prospects.
XXXI
Brings a letter from Mrs. Dashwood with good intentions, but her cheerful manner is misinterpreted by Marianne as cruelty.
Chapter XXXII
Mrs. Jennings speculates about a match between Colonel Brandon and Elinor, and later expresses indignation at Willoughby's behavior.
Chapter XXXIII
Praised by John Dashwood for her kindness and speculated as a source of future legacy.
XXXVI
Preoccupied with her daughter Charlotte's new baby; remains unaware of the tensions between the young ladies.
Chapter XXXVII
Joins in the critique of Mrs. Ferrars and the Dashwoods after John's visit.
Chapter XXXVIII
Eager for gossip, visits Kensington Gardens and later praises Lucy's letter.
Chapter XXXIX
Hosts the Dashwoods and misinterprets the conversation between Elinor and Colonel Brandon as a marriage proposal.
Chapter XL
Mrs. Jennings misinterprets the situation, believing Elinor and Colonel Brandon are to marry, and later learns the truth with good humor.
XLII
Persuaded of Colonel Brandon's attachment to Elinor; engages in conversation about friends left behind.
XLIII
Provides compassionate care and practical help, insisting on staying at Cleveland to assist Elinor.
Chapter XLIV
Mentioned as the hostess of the house where Willoughby called, leading to his encounter with Sir John.
Chapter XLVI
Remains at Cleveland during the Dashwoods' stay and is thanked warmly by Marianne for her kindness.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Jennings unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Jennings in Chapter VIII

See Mrs. Jennings in VII