# Mrs. Jennings — Sense and Sensibility character guide > Mrs. Jennings in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** dear Mrs. Jennings **First appearance:** 0007-viii ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _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) _social_ Marianne tolerates Mrs. Jennings' company with reluctant amusement, often finding her vulgar. ### [Edward Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/edward_ferrars) _social_ Edward is a polite acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, who teases him about his relationship with Elinor. ### [Colonel Brandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/colonel_brandon) _social_ Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne. ### [Lucy Steele](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/lucy_steele) _social_ Lucy is a flattering, scheming guest of Mrs. Jennings, who is unaware of her true nature. ### [John Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby) _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) _family_ Mrs. Jennings is Sir John Middleton's mother-in-law, and they share a jovial, gossipy relationship. ### [Mr. Palmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mr_palmer) _family_ Mr. Palmer is Mrs. Jennings' son-in-law, treating her with barely concealed contempt and rudeness. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _social_ Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _social_ Elinor is a polite and patient guest of the well-meaning but gossipy Mrs. Jennings. ### [Colonel Brandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/colonel_brandon) _social_ Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _social_ Marianne tolerates Mrs. Jennings' company with reluctant amusement, often finding her vulgar. ## In the story ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xii) Mrs. Jennings teases Elinor about her favorite gentleman, adding to the mirth of the party. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiii) Mrs. Jennings reveals she discovered Marianne and Willoughby's visit to Allenham and speculates about Colonel Brandon's business involving Miss Williams. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiv) Speculates at length about the reason for Colonel Brandon's sudden departure. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned as joining Sir John in witticisms that pain Marianne. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xviii) Visits with Sir John, suggests a dance and teases about Willoughby. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xix) Chatters about the Palmers' journey and Mrs. Palmer's pregnancy, displaying her gossipy and jovial nature. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiv) Makes a brief, jovial comment about the young people's beaux, adding a layer of social observation to the scene. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxv) Mrs. Jennings warmly presses the invitation, promising to chaperone the sisters and even to help them find husbands. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvi) Hosts the Dashwood sisters on their journey to London; treats them with kindness; later joins the party for dinner and whist. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvii) Hosts the Dashwoods; comments on Willoughby's absence at the ball and provides gossip about the engagement. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxviii) Absent from the party due to her daughter's indisposition. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxix) Remains cheerfully oblivious to the true situation, joking about Marianne's supposed engagement and insisting the match is certain. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxx) Brings news of Willoughby's engagement, attempts to comfort Marianne with food and drink, and speculates about Colonel Brandon's prospects. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxi) Brings a letter from Mrs. Dashwood with good intentions, but her cheerful manner is misinterpreted by Marianne as cruelty. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxii) Mrs. Jennings speculates about a match between Colonel Brandon and Elinor, and later expresses indignation at Willoughby's behavior. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiii) Praised by John Dashwood for her kindness and speculated as a source of future legacy. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvi) Preoccupied with her daughter Charlotte's new baby; remains unaware of the tensions between the young ladies. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvii) Joins in the critique of Mrs. Ferrars and the Dashwoods after John's visit. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxviii) Eager for gossip, visits Kensington Gardens and later praises Lucy's letter. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxix) Hosts the Dashwoods and misinterprets the conversation between Elinor and Colonel Brandon as a marriage proposal. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xl) Mrs. Jennings misinterprets the situation, believing Elinor and Colonel Brandon are to marry, and later learns the truth with good humor. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlii) Persuaded of Colonel Brandon's attachment to Elinor; engages in conversation about friends left behind. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliii) Provides compassionate care and practical help, insisting on staying at Cleveland to assist Elinor. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliv) Mentioned as the hostess of the house where Willoughby called, leading to his encounter with Sir John. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlvi) Remains at Cleveland during the Dashwoods' stay and is thanked warmly by Marianne for her kindness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters