Sense and Sensibility · Character
Fanny Dashwood
John Dashwood's narrow-minded, selfish wife, a strong caricature of her husband, who arrives at Norland before the funeral is cold and schemes her sisters-in-law out of their inheritance.
supporting
Also known as Fanny, Mrs. John Dashwood, Poor Fanny
First appearance: Chapter I
As a supporting figure in Sense and Sensibility, Fanny Dashwood is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
John's wife, narrow-minded and selfish.
Fanny Dashwood is the mistress of Norland who takes possession the moment her father-in-law dies, showing how little attention to others' comfort she can manage when occasion requires. She talks her weak husband down from three thousand pounds to nothing, and her snobbery and self-interest drive the Dashwood women from their home. Her contrast with Edward is so stark that Mrs. Dashwood declares it enough to say he is unlike Fanny, and her coldness sets the novel's central displacement in motion.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
13 connectionsA slice of how Fanny Dashwood sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Family, Gossip & Social Circle
- Romantic Entanglements & Conflicts
+8 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Fanny Dashwood appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Fanny Dashwood unlock in the free preview.
See Fanny Dashwood in Chapter I