Who’s who in Sense and Sensibility, the 1811 novel by Jane Austen, with a guide to every character in our retelling for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.
Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters, who must leave their family home after their father dies. Elinor, nineteen, is calm and thoughtful. Marianne, sixteen, feels everything deeply and says so. Their mother and their cheerful youngest sister, Margaret, make up the little household that moves to a cottage in Devonshire, where they meet a whole neighborhood of new faces.
Around the sisters are the people who shape their story. Edward Ferrars and Colonel Brandon are kind and steady, while Willoughby and Lucy Steele are charming but not what they first seem. Their half-brother John and his wife Fanny care more about money than about family, and the jolly Sir John Middleton and Mrs. Jennings bring warmth and matchmaking. These profiles explain who each person is in Austen’s original novel, so parents can read along with the retelling and talk about kindness, honesty and good judgment.
Wise and sensible sister
Elinor is the eldest Dashwood sister, nineteen, calm and sensible. When her family has to leave their home, she becomes the steady one everybody leans on. Elinor thinks carefully before she acts and keeps her promises, and she often hides her own sadness so her mother and sisters won’t worry.
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Passionate and musical sister
Marianne is the middle Dashwood sister, sixteen, warm-hearted and full of feeling. She loves music, poetry and romantic stories, and when she is happy or sad, everyone knows it. Marianne gives her heart away quickly, and through some hard lessons she learns that the truest love grows from kindness and respect.
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Loving and hopeful mother
Mrs. Dashwood is the loving mother of Elinor, Marianne and Margaret. Like Marianne, she has an eager, romantic spirit and feels things deeply. When the family loses their father and must leave Norland, she leans on Elinor’s good sense, and she always stands by her daughters with warm hugs and hope.
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Cheerful youngest sister
Margaret is the youngest Dashwood sister, thirteen, curious and cheerful. She loves adventure stories, romping outdoors and saying exactly what she thinks. At Barton Cottage she races over the windy hills with Marianne and jumps for joy at the idea of a picnic. Margaret notices things the grown-ups miss and can hardly keep an exciting secret to herself.
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Easily persuaded half-brother
John Dashwood is the grown half-brother of the Dashwood sisters, and Norland Park becomes his home. He promised their father he would help his sisters, but he is easily talked out of doing the right thing. He likes to brag about his fancy carriage and rich friends, and he rarely asks how his sisters are getting on.
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Proud and greedy sister-in-law
Fanny is John Dashwood’s wife and Edward Ferrars’s sister. She is cold, proud and very fond of money. Fanny talks her husband out of helping his sisters and makes it clear that Edward must marry a rich lady. She cares more about her family’s fortune than about anyone’s feelings, which makes life harder for the Dashwoods at the start of the story.
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Quiet and honorable gentleman
Edward is Fanny’s brother, a quiet, kind and slightly shy gentleman. Unlike his proud family, he cares nothing for showing off, and his gentle humor wins Elinor’s heart. Edward carries a secret promise from long ago, and he is so honorable that he will keep his word even when it costs him dearly.
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Jolly and welcoming cousin
Sir John Middleton is the Dashwoods’ cousin and landlord, a hearty gentleman in a bright red hunting coat. He loves parties, picnics and having company at Barton Park every day. His loud, jolly welcome makes the Dashwoods feel at home when they first arrive in Devonshire, and he cheers louder than anyone at happy news.
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Cheerful and gossipy widow
Mrs. Jennings is Sir John’s mother-in-law, a merry widow with twinkling eyes who loves gossip and matchmaking. She can be a little nosy, and her teasing sometimes makes Marianne roll her eyes. But she has a truly kind heart, and she generously invites Elinor and Marianne to stay with her in London.
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Noble and steadfast protector
Colonel Brandon is a retired army officer, thirty-five, quiet and serious, with a noble face. While others chatter, he listens, and he is deeply touched by Marianne’s music. He is patient, loyal and brave, and he quietly helps the Dashwoods and Edward whenever he can, asking nothing in return.
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Dashing but selfish gentleman
Willoughby is a dashing young man who lives nearby and rescues Marianne when she hurts her ankle. He reads poetry, sings and seems to love all the same things she does. But he cares too much about money and fine living, and the choices he makes bring sadness to Marianne and regret to himself.
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Clever and secret-keeping rival
Lucy Steele is a young relation of Mrs. Jennings who arrives at Barton Park with sweet words and pretty smiles. Elinor notices her sharp, watchful eyes and doesn’t quite trust her. Lucy has a big secret, and she shares it with Elinor in a way that seems friendly but isn’t really kind.
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