English Literature

 

 

 

 

 

 Oliver Twist is a book written by Charles Dickens. The book is about the difficulties that a child suffers in the decadence because all the bad traits and bad situations that he is obligated to do. In the first chapter we learn about Oliver’s birth and how the poor are treated. Luckily Oliver survives in spite of the poor treatment he receives.

 Oliver is sending to the workhouse for the first year of his life and is later moved to a house for juveniles managed by a lady called Mrs Mann. The children are ill kept but deaths at the place are blamed on natural causes or unfortunate accidents. Mr. Bumble a pompous man who is the parish beadle visits the place when Oliver reaches the age of nine.

 Oliver and his companions are poorly fed. The thin gruel leaves all the children hungry and one boy declares that he if he does not get enough to eat he will eat one of his companions. The boys then have a discussion and decide to ask for more food. This task is given to Oliver who reluctantly agrees. After finishing his supper Oliver asks for more. This leads to an uproar in the workhouse and Oliver is punished by being put under solitary confinement.

 Oliver is forced before his companions now and then so that he becomes an example for others and they never dare to do what he has done. A chimney sweep called Gamfield sees the notice offering 5 pounds to the person who takes Oliver and trains him As he needs money he meets the Board officials who however agree to give him only three pounds. But when Oliver appears before the two magistrates who are to approve the papers for his apprenticeship he looks so frightened that one of the magistrates who is very old asks him about his views about the apprenticeship.

 The Board considers sending Oliver to sea a career meant to reform the worst among humans. But Mr Bumble happens to discuss the matter of Oliver with Mr Sowerberry an undertaker. Mr Sowerberry agrees to take the boy and train him. Oliver raises no objection this time as he is too exhausted to protest. It is to be noted that the Board members and Mr Bumble do not feel any thing wrong in asking a boy to live among coffins and dead bodies. At the undertaker’s place the little boy is fed by Mrs Sowerberry with scraps left for their dog.

 Oliver is naturally frightened when asked to sleep among the coffins. He wishes he were dead and lying in one of the coffins. He is mistreated by Noah Claypole a charity boy who nevertheless superior to Oliver who is an orphan. Even those who are badly treated by the world themselves do not hesitate to insult others. The maid Charlotte sides with Noah and also mistreats Oliver. Later Oliver is trained to be mute at a funeral. Sowerberry tells Oliver that he will get accustomed to the trade. Mr Bumble and others simply consider the death of the poor as an inconvenience. They do not realise that their neglect of the poor is causing their death.

 Oliver learns about the hypocrisy of people by witnessing their behaviour at funerals. He realises that they are making a show of grief. Sowerberry is however pleased with Oliver’s ability to learn his job. Noah and Charlotte continue to humiliate him and Mrs Sowerberry hates him because she considers him to be favoured by her husband. Noah one day makes slighting remarks about Oliver’s mother and Oliver hits him. Though bigger Noah is a coward and shouts for help. Mrs Sowerberry and Charlotte thrash Oliver and lock him up. They decide to ask Mr Bumble for help as it is Mr Bumble who sent him to their place.

 Noah finds Mr Bumble and tells him that Oliver has beaten him up. By faking he manages to convince Mr Bumble and another member of the board that Oliver has indeed done something for which he should be suitably punished. But Oliver refuses to be cowed down and kicks at the door asking to be released. Mr Bumble is surprised and says that this has happened because Oliver has been well fed. There is great irony in this remark for Oliver has generally been ill treated and ill fed. He suggests that Oliver should be locked up and kept hungry for a few days.

Oliver moves fast so that he is not caught and returned to the undertaker’s place. He has no idea of where to go but notices a sign which indicates that London is 70 miles away. He has heard about London as a place where a man may get on in life and decides to go there. He talks like an older person and treats Olive to a meal. to be making friendly gestures to Oliver he is actually feeling him and trying to see if he has anything valuable.

Oliver gets up late the next day and notices Fagin taking out boxes and counting his jewellery. He talks about his treasures and the boys who have gone to their death without betraying him. When he notices Oliver is awake he is alarmed and moves towards him with a knife. But when Oliver tells him that he has just got up he recovers and tells Oliver that the jewellery is something he has saved for his old age. A boy called Charley Bates is also introduced to Oliver and the Dodger and Bates display the items they have managed to pickpocket at a public execution. Oliver however does not realise the true nature of their activities.

 Initially all that Oliver does is to remove the identifying marks from the handkerchiefs that are stolen by the Dodger and his companions. But finally he asks Fagin to let him go out with the Dodger so that he also can do some work. He of course is not aware of the nature of their work. But the Dodger notices a prey- an old man intent on reading a book and decide to rob him of his handkerchief.  Oliver realises what is going on and is shocked. Meanwhile the old gentleman notices that his handkerchief is missing and suspects Oliver who is still around while the others have run away.

 At the police station the old gentleman whose name is Brownlow somehow feels that he notices something in Oliver’s face which makes him seem familiar. But he cannot remember whom Oliver reminds him of. When they are before the magistrate Mr Brownlow tries to explain to the magistrate Mr Fang that he cannot definitely say that Oliver stole his handkerchief. But the magistrate does not listen to him and sentences Oliver to three months’ hard labour.

  Mr Brownlow lives in Pentonville a suburb of London. This place contrasts a great deal with the place in the city where Fagin and his cronies live. Mrs Bedwin the housekeeper is a very affectionate old lady and takes good care of Oliver. When Oliver recovers after along illness he wonders where he is and how he reached that place. The doctor and Mrs Bedwin reassure him. When Oliver is better he notices a portrait of a lady and is greatly drawn to it. He feels that the eyes of the lady are looking at him with sorrow. But Mrs Bedwin is unable to identify the lady in the picture. When Mr Brownlow comes and visits Oliver he notices a resemblance between Oliver and the picture on the wall and points out the similarity to Mrs Bedwin. Oliver at this point faints due to his weakness.

 Fagin is angry when he finds that the Dodger and Charley Bates have lost Oliver. He struggles with the boys who dodge and defend themselves. The fight stops with the arrival of Bill Sikes a 35 year old rough and strong robber who is an associate of Fagin. He is accompanied by his big white dog. Because of their arrival Fagin calms down and all of discuss what is to be done about Oliver. They want Oliver back as he knows too much about them and may reveal all to the authorities. But none of them wants to visit a police station and enquire about Oliver for they are afraid of the police.

The portrait that had so interested Oliver is removed as it may cause him distress and hamper his recovery. When he is better he is provided with a new set of clothes and gives the old ones’ to a servant. He learns to play cards and is generally happy with his life. Mr Brownlow asks him about his life story. Before Oliver can tell him anything Mr Grimwig an eccentric friend of Mr Brownlow arrives.

 Fagin visits Sikes to give him his share of the loot. Both of them are dependent on each other and yet they suspect each other. Another Jew called Barney is also around. Nancy comes and tries to tell Fagin that She has located Oliver. Fagin signals to her to keep quiet. She leaves with Sikes and together they kidnap Oliver who is on his way to the bookshop. Nancy pretends to be Oliver’s sister and the people believe her. Mr Brownlow and his friend are unaware of this incident and keep waiting for Oliver.

 Sikes threatens Oliver to keep quiet or he would set the dog on him. They reach the place where Fagin is waiting along with the Dodger and Charley Bates. Oliver is frightened and submits to whatever they do. They take his things and the money. When they refuse to return the books to Mr.Brownlow Oliver pleads with them to send the books back or the old man will think of him as a thief. This causes great amusement to the gathering and Oliver who is desperate, tries to escape. He is unable to do so and Fagin is about to hit him when Nancy intervenes. She fights with Fagin but is restrained by Sikes and faints.

 In this chapter Dickens takes us back to Oliver’s birth place. We once again meet Mr Bumble the parochial Beadle on his way to meet Mrs Mann who had Oliver’s charge when he was a child. At Mrs Mann’s place he meets Dick, Oliver’s sick friend about whom she has been complaining. Dick expresses a desire to leave a message for Oliver as he does not hope to live long. The request irritates Mr Bumble for he considers Oliver to be the person who has spoilt the atmosphere of the workhouse by his audacious behaviour.

At Fagin’s place attempts are made to break Oliver’s spirit and teach him the art of thieving. Oliver resists their attempts and implores them to let him go. But The Dodger and Charley Bates tell him that he has to do what they want and if he does not steal, somebody else will. Fagin and the other play the pick pocketing games with him and tell him stories about famous crimes and criminals. They also tell him that he is ungrateful and does not acknowledge that they saved him from dying of hunger. All this indoctrination they hope will finally turn Oliver into a confirmed thief.

 Fagin pays a visit to Bill Sikes. Nancy is also present. There is not much trust between Sikes and Fagin but they know that they are dependent on each other. They discuss a plan to rob a house in Chertsey.  But Toby Crackit a companion of Sikes has scouted around and has told them that the servants of the house cannot be bribed to participate in the robbery and therefore any attempt to rob will not be successful. Sikes claims to have another plan but does not give details. He says that he needs a small boy for the job.

 Fagin gives Oliver a pair of shoes and tells him that he has to go to Sikes’ place. Oliver does not show much interest and Fagin does not discuss the matter further. He provides Oliver a book where the life of famous criminals is described. This reading causes Oliver to plead to God to save him from such a career. As decided earlier Nancy arrives to take Oliver to Sikes’ abode. Due to her sympathy for Oliver she is uneasy about the plan to involve Oliver in a robbery.

The next morning Oliver and Sikes leave early and Oliver later notices the activities in the city. He wonders where they are going but keeps quiet because of Sikes’ threat. Finally they arrive at Hampton and later have supper at a public house. Sikes wakes him up at night and they proceed to a place called Shepperton. Oliver is afraid that Sikes means to murder him and throw his body into the river. Then he notices that they have arrived at a house which is decaying and looks deserted.

 Barney the Jew who is a waiter at the Three Cripples and Toby Crackit are waiting for Oliver and Bill Sikes. They enjoy themselves and force Oliver also to have some wine which causes Oliver to fall asleep. The robbers get up early and make their preparations which Oliver does not understand. They scale the wall of a house and carry Oliver along with them. When they are near the house Oliver realises what is going on and he desperately appeals to the Sikes to not to compel him to steal. But his appeals go unheeded. Sikes opens the shutters and tells Oliver to get in and open the door of the house for them to enter. 

  Mrs Corney who is the matron is thinking about her condition. She resents the fact that the paupers she attends are not grateful and that she is a widow having lost her husband years ago. Mr Bumble arrives and both of them talk about how the paupers can never be satisfied. Dickens shows the attitude of the officials managing the workhouse and how they have no intention of making things comfortable for the paupers. Mr Bumble then starts to make advances to Mrs Corney who is quite willing to be wooed.

Mrs Sally asks the two women attending her to leave as she wishes to speak to Mrs Corney in private. She talks to Mrs Corney about the time of Oliver’s birth and how Oliver’s mother had given her a gold object which she had stolen instead of giving it to the child. Mrs Sally dies and the Mrs Corney informs the attendants that she had received no information from the dead woman. Suspense is thus created about Oliver’s parentage. As it is, we wonder what happened to Oliver after he was shot.

  Fagin is at his place with the Dodger and the some other boys when Toby Crackit arrives and after having something to eat informs him that Oliver had been shot and left at the place where they had gone to commit the robbery. Fagin already knows that the robbery has failed from the newspapers but is disturbed by the fact that Toby cannot tell him anything about the whereabouts of Sikes or Oliver. Toby points out that after the failed attempt at robbery everyone fled and did not bother about the others.

  Worried about what may result due to Oliver’s capture Fagin goes to The Three Cripples the tavern where Barney the Jew who met Bill Sikes before the robbery works. He is unable to locate Barney or get any information about him or Sikes. He also asks for a person called Monks and is told that he would come soon. He then goes to Sikes’ place and meets Nancy who is no state to give him anything useful.

 Mr Bumble who is waiting for Mrs Corney to return after attending the dying pauper. He is satisfied with the fortune Mrs Corney seems to possess. Mrs Corney returns, helps herself to a drink and the two resume their romantic conversation. Mr Bumble proposes to the lady and is accepted. She tells Mr Bumble that she will tell him more about Mrs Sally later. Mr Bumble goes to inform Mr Sowerberry the undertaker about the death of Mrs Sally. There he finds Noah Claypole and Charlotte making love.

 We now learn what happens after Oliver is shot. Sikes carries Oliver but has to abandon him when he feels he will be captured. Both he and Toby flee the place as they are being pursued by the men of the house and some dogs. Oliver lies unconscious covered with a cape. Mr Giles, the butler in the house where the robbery was attempted and Brittles who are pursuing the robbers now retreat as they are too afraid to pursue. Oliver recovers consciousness when it is day and somehow reaches a house for help. He then realises that it is the house where the robbery was to be done.

 While having breakfast Mrs Maylie the owner of the house and Rose her niece wonder why it is taking so long for the doctor to arrive. The Doctor is a bachelor, eccentric but warm hearted. When the Doctor whose name is Losberne comes he spends a lot of time with the Oliver and keeps all the servants busy in attending the injured boy. Then he asks the two ladies to see the robber assuring them that they are in no danger.

  The two ladies expect to see a dangerous criminal and are surprised to see a little boy who looks innocent and is in pain. Rose appeals to her aunt to help the boy and the aunt agrees. The Doctor agrees to help provided he is convinced that Oliver is indeed free of blame. He decides to talk to Giles and Brittles also wants their help too. When Oliver awakes the three of them listen to his story and believe him.

    Blathers and Duff, the officers from Bow Street are cleverly tackled by Doctor Losberne who has decided to protect Oliver. He takes the policemen around the place from where the robber tried to enter and convinces them that Oliver had nothing to do with the business. Giles and Brittles give confused replies to the policemen. When the policemen conclude that two men and a boy are involved in the crime the doctor plies them with liquor.

   After Oliver recovers the Doctor takes him to Mr Brownlow’s but it is locked.  Mr Brownlow and the housekeeper have left for the West Indies. Oliver wants to visit the Bookstall owner to prove his story but the Doctor decides against it. On the way to Brownlow’s house Oliver had taken the Doctor to the house where he had been kept just before the robbery attempt but it is occupied by a person whom Oliver cannot place.

 One day Rose suddenly falls ill. When Mrs Maylie expresses her fears about Rose’s health Oliver insists that she could not die at such a young age. The experienced Mrs Maylie points out that it is not the young and the best who always survive. Later she sends Oliver with a message for Dr Losberne. On the way back Oliver collides with a stranger who curses him. He then falls in some sort of a fit and Oliver arranges help for him and leaves.

Oliver is very happy that Rose has recovered. Mr Giles arrives with Harry Maylie who is Mrs Maylie’s son. Harry complains to his mother that she had not informed him about Rose’s ill health. He expresses his love for Rose but his mother points out that strong attachments of a man may not hold when he discover there is some question about the good name of his wife.

  A search is conducted but Fagin and his companion have disappeared. For some days the search goes on but is finally given up. Rose recovers and Harry one day makes his proposal to her. But she refuses saying that she will be an obstacle in his progress as her identity and parentage are unknown. On being pressed she agrees to see him again later and also acknowledges that she does feel for him. Dickens gives us a picture of the conventions which rule society through this incident.

 Harry leaves without meeting his mother or Rose and asks Oliver keep him informed about any developments. Rose hidden, watches him leave and weeps as he leaves.

  Mr Bumble and his wife get involved in a power struggle shortly after there marriage. Both of them feel that they have made a sacrifice in getting married. Mr Bumble tries to dominate his wife but fails. She attacks him physically and he retreats. Further humiliation is in store for him when he threatens the paupers. Mrs Bumble sends him away calling him a fool and telling him to mind his own business. Mr goes out and enters a tavern when it rains. There he meets a tall stranger who knows about him.

 Mrs and Mr Bumble go the place where Monks is supposed to meet them. For a payment of 25 pounds Mrs Bumble reveals that Sally had told her how she stole something from Oliver’s mother but died before she could say what it was. But as she was holding a pawn ticket in her hand when she died Mrs Bumble was able to get the articles. They consisted of a gold locket containing two locks of hair, a gold wedding ring. The locket bore the name of Agnes.

  We meet Bill Sikes once again in this chapter. He is sick and in financial difficulties. Nancy has taken care of him. Fagin pays him a visit and promises help. He has taken along The Dodger and Charley Bates with him and some food. Sikes is angry with him for ignoring his difficulties but Fagin assures him that he is willing to help. Nancy goes to Fagin’s place for the money. Monk also reaches the place at the same time.

 Nancy tells Rose many things about Oliver which are not known. She tells her that Fagin and Monks are plotting against him and that Monks is Oliver’s brother. Monks wants all the property which he will not get if Oliver is around. He has destroyed all the things which could help identify Oliver. She had come to know of Rose when she overheard Fagin and Monks talking. Monks plans to collect a ransom from the Maylies after capturing Oliver.

 Rose wonders what to do next. She thinks of taking Harry’s help but hesitates. Her problem is solved when Oliver comes and informs her that he has seen Mr Brownlow when he had gone out with Mr Giles. When Rose finds that Giles knows the address she proceeds at once to see Mr Brownlow and take his help. She meets him and Mr Grimwig.

 Two characters from the early chapters of the novel make their appearance in the novel once again. They are Charlotte and Noah Claypole. After robbing Mr Sowerberry they flee to London. They stop at The Three Cripples and are received by Barney and Fagin eavesdrops and hears Noah boasting about how he intends to take charge of a gang of pickpockets. He then lets Noah know that he knows things about him and tells him that he is in the very trade that Noah intends to take up. The price for helping Noah meet a person who will help is 20 pounds, the very sum that he stole from Mr Sowerberry.

 Fagin discloses that he himself is the person who will help Noah in his criminal career. He tells Noah that he has lost one of his able workers The Dodger who has been caught for stealing a snuff box. He is likely to get a stiff sentence. Charley Bates arrives and shares their fears. But they expect The Dodger to put on a good performance at his trial and send Noah to observe his performance.

  Fagin congratulates Noah on his success in his new career. He tells Noah that he wants him to spy on Nancy whenever she goes out. As on the next Sunday Sikes is away Fagin feels Nancy will definitely go where she wished to go earlier. He identifies Nancy for Noah and tells him to quietly follow her. His task is easy as Nancy has never met him.

  Nancy meets Rose and Mr Brownlow at London Bridge. She explains that she was prevented from coming the previous week. She refuses to betray Fagin and Mr Brownlow promises her no to do anything against him without her consent. She agrees to tell them how to locate Monks and how to recognise him. When she describes the identification mark Mr Brownlow seems to be able to place him. Nancy once again refuses to accept any money and takes only Rose’s handkerchief as a memento. Sikes assures him that he would punish the person for the betrayal. Fagin then tells Sikes that Nancy has betrayed him. Sikes leaves in anger and confronts Nancy at his place. He tells her that all that she has said at the bridge at night is known.

  Sikes is unable to face up to what he has done. He tries to hide the body, cleans himself and flees from London. His guilt gives him the feeling that he is being watched. When he reaches a village called Hatfield a pedlar selling stain remover tries to remove a stain from his hat. Sikes snatches his hat back and rushes away from the place. People are talking about the murder and this unnerves Sikes all the more. Nancy’s eyes seem to pursue him. As he is being searched for in the country he decides to return to London and escape to France later.

 Monks is finally trapped by Mr Brownlow and the reasons for his animosity towards Oliver are revealed. Afraid that he will be arrested Monks admits everything. Mr Brownlow discloses that the real name of Monks is Edward Leeford. His father Edwin was a close friend of Mr Brownlow. Edwin was trapped into an unhappy marriage and Monks was his child. Monks’ mother separated from Edwin and left for Europe breaking all connection with his father. The son was a great source of unhappiness to the father because of his habits.

 Toby Crackit, Tom Chitling and a criminal called Kags hide in a place called Jacob’s island which as the name suggests is surrounded by water during high tide. They are hiding there as Fagin has been arrested and they have no other place to go to. The Three Cripples is also closed. They talk about how the mob wanted to kill Fagin and the policemen had a hard time keeping him safe after his arrest. Sikes’ dog arrives and this becomes a cause of worry for the criminals as they feel Sikes will follow.

 Oliver is taken to his place of birth. Rose. Mrs Maylie Dr Losberne and Mrs Bedwin accompany him and he is followed by Mr Brownlow in another carriage. Oliver hopes to meet Dick once more. At night Monks whom Mr Brownlow has brought along is confronted with Oliver. Mr Brownlow and Monks tell everybody the details about Oliver’s parentage and what Monks had been doing and why. Oliver’s father had written a letter to Oliver’s mother Agnes Fleming before dying and apologised to her for not being able to marry her.

   Fagin is found guilty and awarded the death sentence. The people present approve of it. All Fagin can say is that he is an old man. He is sent to Newgate prison to await his hanging which is due on the coming Monday. When Oliver and Mr Brownlow leave he shrieks in desperation. 

  Rose and Henry are married. Oliver accepts Mr Brownlow’s advice and gives a portion of the income from his inheritance to Monks. But Monks wastes all his money and leaves for America, indulges in crimes and dies in prison. Giles and Brittles also move to the country to attend to the Maylies and their friends. Charlie Bates gives up crime after his experience with Sikes and becomes a herdsman. The good we see, are finally victorious. This story helps many people to think at the moment to act or to say something because we can live in a terrible situation, but we never might give up.

 

 

  Sense and sensibility is a drama novel written by Janes Austen. Also, it was  published in 1811. This book describes how the social class was, and all the factors that really matters for families well- stabilished at that time. Moreover, it is a love store where the prudence and the sensibility play a interest role there. The main characteres of the novel are:

Colonel Brandon -  A retired officer and friend of Sir John Middleton who falls in love with Marianne Dashwood and acts kindly, honorably, and graciously towards the Dashwoods throughout the novel.

Henry Dashwood -  The father of John Dashwood and, by a second marriage, of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret Dashwood. He dies in the opening chapter of the novel and bequeaths his estate at Norland to his son, leaving his wife and daughters impoverished.

 

Elinor Dashwood -  The nineteen-year-old eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood and the heroine of Austen's novel. Elinor is composed but affectionate, both when she falls in love with Edward Ferrars and when she comforts and supports her younger sister Marianne.

 

 

Fanny Dashwood -  The selfish, snobbish, and manipulative wife of John Dashwood and the sister of Edward and Robert Ferrars.

 

John Dashwood -  The weak-minded and money-grubbing heir to the Norland estate. At his wife Fanny's suggestion, he leaves his mother and sisters with very little money and remains largely unconcerned for their welfare.

 

Margaret Dashwood -  The thirteen-year-old, good-humored youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood, Margaret shares her sister Marianne's romantic tendencies.

 

Marianne Dashwood -  The seventeen-year-old second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood. Marianne's spontaneity, excessive sensibility, and romantic idealism lead her to fall in love with the debaucherous John Willoughby, though he painfully spurns her, causing her to finally recognize her misjudgment of him. After this turn of heart, she ultimately marries her long-standing admirer, Colonel Brandon.

 

Mrs. Ferrars -  The wealthy, manipulative mother of Edward and Robert who disinherits her first son when he refuses to marry a rich heiress.

 

Edward Ferrars -  The sensible and friendly older brother of Fanny Dashwood and Robert Ferrars. Edward develops a close relationship with Elinor while staying at Norland and ultimately marries her, after he is freed from a four-year secret engagement to Lucy Steele.

 

Robert Ferrars -  A conceited coxcomb and the younger brother of Edward and Fanny. Robert inherits his mother's fortune after she disinherits Edward. Ironically, he ultimately marries Lucy Steele, even though it was Edward's engagement to this same woman that caused his mother to disinherit him.

 

Miss Sophia Grey  -  The wealthy heiress whom Willoughby marries after abandoning Marianne.

 

Mrs. Jennings -  Lady Middleton's gossipy but well-intentioned mother who invites the Dashwood sisters to stay with her in London and makes it her "project" to marry them off as soon as possible.

 

Lady Middleton -  A distant relation of the Dashwoods who lives at Barton Cottage with her husband Sir John Middleton and their four spoiled children.

 

Sir John Middleton -  The jovial but vulgar distant relation of the Dashwoods who invites Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters to stay at Barton Cottage after Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood inherit Norland, leaving the women homeless.

 

Mr. Thomas Palmer  -  Mrs. Palmer's gruff, unemotional husband.

 

Mrs. Charlotte Palmer  -  Mrs. Jennings' talkative and foolish daughter who invites the Dashwood sisters to stay at her home in Cleveland on their way from London to Barton.

 

Anne Steele  -  Lucy Steele's older, unmarried sister who accidentally reveals her sister's secret engagement to Edward Ferrars.

 

Lucy Steele -  Mrs. Jennings' cousin and a sly, selfish, and insecure young woman. She has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars for four years but she ultimately marries his brother, Robert, once Edward is disinherited.

 

John Willoughby  -  An attractive but deceitful young man who wins Marianne Dashwood's heart but then abandons her (greedily) in favor of the wealthy Miss Sophia Grey.

 

   The story begins when a man called Mr. Dashwood is about to die and he needs to leave his heritage to his elder son called Jhon Dashwood. But the old man has three daughters of his second marriage. The ladies need to have money to live; however, the law says that only the first son could receive the heritage.The daughers are left with very little when Dashwood dies and the estate goes to his son instead. Before Mr. Dashwood dies, he asks his son (John) to promise to help his step-mother. John Dashwood agrees to do this. John Dashwood is selfish, and does not help his step-mother & half-sisters as he promised his father he would do.

   Initially, John does want to keep his promise to his father and will keep his relatives generously. His wife is mean and convinces him to be selfish. John's wife comes to the home right away and does not give the Dashwoods any time to grieve before they are told that they must vacate the premises. Mrs. Dashwood is very upset and almost storms out. Elinor, her (oldest daughter), persuades her to stay in order to keep good relations with her stepson.

   Elinor is sensible & prudent. She is able to handle most people & situations in a delicate manner. Marianne (her sister) is very emotional and lacks the good sense that Elinor has. Marianne & her mother are grieving and drowning in their sorrow. Elinor is also grieving but she continues to handle the matters at hand. Mrs. John Dashwood takes over as the mistress of the estate. Mrs. Dashwood and her 3 daughters become visitors in their former home. Mrs. John Dashwood (Fanny) advises her husband to be careful how much he gives to the women because she does not want to diminish the opportunity of a future inheritance of their son. She convinces him to occasionally give them non-financial help instead of the 1000 pounds apiece that he would have done. Fanny explains to him that they will have no expenses and more than enough money. She thinks that the 4 of them will be better off on their five hundred pounds a year than herself and her husband. (although they have many thousands at their disposal). John resolves to only do nice things for them on occasion, and forgets any ideas of giving them money at all.

 Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters stay at Norland for a few more months. It is very hard for them to find a new home that they can afford with their small income. She is aware that John Dashwood promised his father (her late husband) that he would take care of them and it gives her some reassurance even though neither she or her husband were sure whether John was sincere in this. None the less, he is kind to her and her daughters so he must feel some some sort of obligation to them. Mrs. Dashwood does not like Fanny Dashwood at all, and would prefer to leave Norland as soon as possible BUT there is a special friendship developing between Elinor and Fanny's brother (Edward Ferrars). Edward has come to visit Norland. He is the oldest son of a man that died very rich and his fate depends upon his mothers will.

Edward is very shy. He is a very kind person once you get to know him. He is much more kind hearted than his sister. He is wealthy but he is still very quiet and wants a peaceful life. He does not want some of the ambitions that his mother and sister want for him. Mrs. Dashwood really comes to admire Edward and thinks that Elinor and him may someday marry.

  Elinor and Marianne are looking for different types of men. Elinor wants a many like Edward (virtuous, kind, and quiet). Marianne wants a dashing man who is artistic and passionate. She wants someone who will have her interests and qualities but she also wants them to have Edward's virtues. Marianne does not think Edward has good taste in drawing.

   Elinor is content that Edward is not as passionate about art as Marianne thinks he should be--Elinor knows that Marianne considers this one of Edward's failings as a person. Elinor believes that Edward may not love her as much because of how overbearing his mother is. Elinor is very shy about her feelings toward Edward because it is difficult to know if he reciprocates affection toward her. After 6 months, Mrs. Dashwood then gets a letter from a relative and is offered a cottage on his property for a cheap price. The letter is so friendly and wants her to come to Barton Park to his estate in Devonshire to see the cottage.

   Mrs. Dashwood says they will be leaving and taking the new cottage in Devonshire.
Fanny Dashwood is happy they will move. Edward is surprised that they are moving so far away. Mrs. Dashwood is pleased and starts her arrangements. She sends the furniture ahead. She even invites Edward to come and visit them. John Dashwood complains on the expenses of having them live with him and it appears that he will no longer help them after they leave Norland.

   The new landlord is Mrs. Dashwood's cousin. His name is Sir John Middleton. He comes to visit them and is very nice and is glad to see they are settling in. He invites them to come to Barton Park for dinner until they are more settled. He insists that they come visit him often. The next day, Lady Middleton comes to visit (Sir John's wife). She is elegant and more reserved and cold than her very friendly husband. After she visits, they are invited to Barton Park the next day. They accept the invitation.

   Mrs. Jennings is a widow with 2 married daughters. She has no occupation than to try to help others get married. She believes that Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne, and she wants to get them together. She is sure they will be a good match.
Marianne figures out that Mrs. Jennings wants her to be with Colonel Brandon and she is upset that Mrs. Jennings thinks such an old man is good for her. Marianne is now thinking about Elinor and how Edward has not come to visit yet. Marianne thinks he may not be well.

   They are settled in Barton Cottage and much happier than they were at Norland after the death of Mr. Dashwood. Sir John visits and lets them use his carriage for social calls. The girls also like to walk in the country. At first Elinor & Mrs. Dashwood are startled by his sudden appearance, but since he is charming and handsome, he is able to quickly win them over. Mrs. Dashwood thanks him and invites him to stay. He says he must go. His name is Willoughby and he is staying at the Allenham estate. He promises to come by the next day to check on Marianne. Sir John feels bad for his friend the Colonel, because he would like him to have a good wife like one of the Dashwood girls. They are already ignoring him as a potential suitor.

   Willoughby comes the next day and the family is impressed again. Marianne asks him questions about books, dancing, and music. They have very similar tastes and she is happy that he also likes the arts. Willoughby seems to admire Marianne much & enjoys her family's hospitality. He begins to visit everyday. His attachment to Marianne deepens. Mrs. Dashwood is fond of him, but Elinor is concerned about a lack of discretion in his behavior and judgment. Elinor is upset when Willoughby makes comments about Colonel Brandon. Mrs. Dashwood and the girls begin to have many social engagements. Willoughby is also invited to these engagements as well. Willoughby continues to become more and more attached to Marianne. Elinor believes that Marianne and Willoughby should not show thier mutual feelings publicly.Marianne is happy with her new budding relationship with Willoughby, and soon forgets her feelings for Norland

Marianne tells Elinor that Willoughby has given her a horse that he actually bred himself.
Elinor is upset that Marianne does not even consider that they don't even have a stables or enough money to keep the horses. Marianne will not admit that it is impractical to have a horse and that it is also too big a gift from someone that she hasn't known for very long. Elinor persuades her mother to tell Marianne to refuse the horse and finally she does. Elinor starts to think that Marianne and Willoughby could actually be engaged. They seem to be increasingly familiar toward each other and their behavior is observable by everyone.

  There is supposed to be a big picnic at Colonel Brandon's brother in law's estate. The morning of the picnic, Colonel Brandon gets a letter and must leave on urgent business. Everyone trys to convince Colonel Brandon to go to the picnic and then leave on his buisness, but he cannot do that due to the urgency of the matter. Mrs. Jennings thinks that the issue has to do with Miss Williams (Colonel Brandon's daughter). Everyone was disappointed. They decided to go on a drive and then hold a dance that night. Elinor was very surprised that Marianne would go to Allenham because she does not know the aunt at all.

  Mrs. Jennings is still wondering why Colonel Brandon had to leave so suddenly. Jennings thinks it might have something to do with money. Elinor does not understand how Marianne and Willoughby are not commenting about why Colonel Brandon went away suddenly. He says he is so happy being there that he would want to make a cottage just like it because of all the happy times.Willoughby has openly stated his affection for Marianne and for the family and hopes that they will also keep thinking of him that way.

  Elinor and Margaret and Mrs. Dashwood decide to call on Lady Middleton. Marianne does not go. Willoughby promised he would come by to visit while the family was gone visiting Lady Middleton. When everyone comes back from Barton Park they see Willoughby's carriage parked outside. Inside Marianne is crying because Willoughby says he must go immediately to London and he will not be back for a while. Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor are confused and unsettled by the news. Elinor thinks that they may have even had a quarrel. She also assumes that Elinor thinks worse of Willoughby because she is is much more judgmental in nature. Actually. Elinor's notions are based on Willoughby's tendency to be open and if his aunt disapproved, she doubts it would matter. She also doubts they were engaged.

  All night--Marianne cried and could not be consoled. She hears nothing from Willoughby.
Elinor is getting upset also and wants her mother to find out if Marianne was actually engaged. Her mother does not want to discuss it with Marianne. Elinor is very curious about what has goine on between Marianne and Willoughby. Marianne goes on a walk with Elinor. On the way back, a man is coming toward them. They think it is Willoughby. Once he gets closer they realize that it is Edward Ferrars.

  Mrs. Dashwood is also happy to see Edward and he is welcomed heartily. He starts to relax more and is easy to be around. They all observe that he is in poor spirits. Mrs. Dashwood thinks that his mother puts a lot of pressure on him. She wanted him to take up a respectable profession. Edward really wants to live a quiet life but his mother will not hear of it. There is nots of small talk about money, judging people, and people's character. Marianne mentions that Edward is very reserved and then he seems very dejected like he was earlier in the day.

  Elinor feels bad to see Edward so unhappy. He is not showing her affection like he used to. She is getting more confused by the mixed signals and that he is happy and then dejected. Edward enjoys the countryside, but he does not enjoy it in the same kind of romantic way that Marianne likes it. At one point, Marianne sees that Edward is wearing a ring that has a lock of hair in it. Marianne asks him if it is from his sister. He blushes when she asks. Marianne and Elinor notice that the hair looks exactly like Elinor's hair, but how can that be??? Elinor has not ever given him a lock of her hair. Both Mrs. Jennings and Sir John come by in order to meet Edward. They realize that Mr. F. that Margaret had talked about must be Edward.

   Edward ends up staying for a week. Mrs. Dashwood invites him to stay longer, but he doesn't even though he is having a better time than he does at Norland or in London. Edward continues to talk about how unhappy he is in his current situation. As he leaves, Elinor is saddened by how unhappy he seems to be. She wishes she could help him, but she is also hurt that he is not more affectionate with her. Rather than show her feelings, Elinor just keeps busy around the house. Sir John and Mrs. Jennings come again to the cottage. They want to introduce Mrs. Jennings' other daughter, Mrs. Palmer, and her husband to the Dashwood family.

  Mrs. Palmer and her husband will soon be leaving to go to Cleveland where they will be entertaining people. They want Elinor and Marianne to come for the holidays and winter. The Palmers live very near the Willoughby's estate in Combe Magna. The Dashwood's do not accept the invitation. Mr. Palmer makes very cynical comments about his wife, Mrs. Jennings, and Sir John, but Mrs. Palmer talks about his humor. Elinor thinks that he is trying to have superiority by his humor and that it is very bad behavior. Elinor also thinks that he has a foolish wife and that is another reason he acts this way.  After the Palmers depart, Sir John and Mrs. Jennings get new guests. They are Lady Middleton's cousins. They also invite the Dashwoods to come as well. They really don't want to come meet more of the Middleton's company. Anne and Lucy Steele arrive. They are from Exeter. Sir John wants both sets of sisters to get along so he encourages a friendship between the Dashwood girls and the Steele's. Elinor and Marianne are annoyed by Anne and Lucy because they indulge and pay close attention to the obnoxious Middleton children. Of course this makes Lady Middleton so happy.

   Marianne does not like the Steele girls and treats them coldly. As a result of her treatment, Lucy prefers to spend time with Elinor. Elinor thinks Lucy is a nice person but lacks a proper education and is not refined. She thinks that Lucy is insincere and flatters people too much. Lucy asks about Mrs. Ferrars and then Elinor asks how Lucy knows the Ferrars. Lucy tells Elinor that she is secretly engaged to Edward and that only her sister knows and now Elinor too. Elinor trys to ask further questions to prove that this cannot be true. Lucy says that Edward had come to Plymouth before his trip to Barton and that Lucy had given him a ring with a lock of her hair inside so that he could think of her and be reminded of their engagement. Elinor and Marianne had certainly seen the ring and noticed him wearing it. Elinor is devastated with grief at finding out that Edward is engaged to another woman. but she must hide her disappointment.

   Elinor can not doubt Lucy, but still thinks Edward may love her. She questions if Edward has not been forthright with her. She feels very bad for Edward though--Lucy is uneducated and is inferior. Lucy feels that it will be even more complicated to marry Lucy than if he married Elinor. Elinor is not going to tell Marianne or Mrs. Dashwood any of this info. Elinor will talk to Lucy to see how much she cares for Edward and if she is jealous of her because Sir John jokes about them and Edward compliments her. They are all invited to Barton Park when Sir John is gone. Elinor helps Lucy with a basket for Lady Middleton's children & Marianne is playing piano so they can talk privately.

   Elinor talks to Lucy and lets her know that she wants to be her confidante. Lucy is so relieved because she wanted someone to talk to and she had worried that Elinor was upset or offended by hearing Lucy's secret. Elinor makes sure that Lucy knows that she wants to talk to her. Lucy thought that Elinor was not happy that Edward and Lucy are engaged and that she was angry, but Lucy is happy that this is not the case. Lucy and Elinor talk about money. Edward is completely dependent on his mother for his money and Lucy is willing to wait until him to have the money. He will be able to get more money from his mother if he marries well.

      Elinor asks Lucy if she is worried that if she keeps waiting for too long that Edward will lose his affection. Lucy says no.Lucy thinks that if Mrss. Ferrars would find out that they are engaged she would give her money to the younger brother, Robert. Elinor asks if Lucy knows Robert. She doesn't but has heard about him. She hears he is different than Edward--he is vain and very foolish.

   Elinor says that Fanny would not accept having Edward being a pastor. Then Lucy says that maybe she should end the engagement and asks what Elinor thinks. It is very awkward and Elinor tries to change the subject but Lucy asks again. Finally Lucy gives up and asks if the Dashwoods will be staying in London during the winter. Elinor says they will not be in London then. Lucy says she is sorry but does not look like she means this. Elinor returns to the groups and realizes that she does not like Lucy. She also thinks that Lucy does not like her either.

   Mrs. has her own home in London. She invites Elinor and Marianne to come to visit her during the winter. Elinor says no because Mrs. Dashwood will need them in the winter, but Mrs. Jennings says it can be figured out. Sir John says that Marianne would like to go to London because she would want to see Willoughby and she would go even if Elinor didn't go. Marianne says she does wish they could go but Elinor is right and they need to stay. Mrs. Jennings won't stop and persists that they visit. Marianne really wants to go. Mrs. Dashwood hears about the invitation and decides that it will be great for the girls to go to London. Elinor tells her mother that being with Mrs. Jennings is not good for them socially, but Mrs. Dashwood reminds her that they will also be with Lady Middleton who is respectable.

   Elinor says that she does not care if Edward's family likes her or not. Mrs. Dashwood thinks that Elinor is being very evasive, but Marianne is surprised by Elinor's comments.
The travel plans are made. Everyone is getting ready for the trip to go to London. Marianne is thrilled and Elinor is not excited to go. Marianne, Elinor and Mrs. Jennings leave in the beginning of January and the Middletons, Anne, and Lucy plan to come a week later.

   Marianne cannot wait to be reunited with Willoughby in London. Usually Marianne is bothered being with Mrs. Jennings, but because she is so excited to get to London, she is quiet all the way and comments on the beautiful scenery. Elinor talks with Mrs. Jennings on the trip. It takes 3 days to get to London and Mrs. Jenning's house is stylish. Marianne and Elinor are put into Charlotte's room (Mrs. Palmer's). There is some time before dinner so Elinor writes a letter home. Marianne also writes but says she is not writing home. Elinor assumes that Marianne is writing to Willoughby to let him know they are in London. Marianne quickly finishes her letter and sends it off in the post. Elinor is sure that the letter is to Willoughby. Marianne spends the rest of the day waiting for a reply. Elinor hopes that Mrs. Jennings does not notice how Marianne is acting.

   Soon a visitor shows up--it is Colonel Brandon. Marianne is disappointed. Elinor feels badly that he will be offended because Marianne acted so rudely. Elinor knows that he is in love with Marianne yet she pays no attention to him. Brandon asks if Marianne is feeling poorly and Elinor says that she has not been feeling well. Colonel Brandon talks about London and how he has never had time to visit much before. Elinor wishes she could ask him if Willoughby was in London but she doesn't because she thinks it would be too rude. Mrs. Jennings comes in and is happy to see the Colonel. She continues to ask personal questions. Marianne arrives back and Colonel Brandon gets very quiet. He leaves and then everyone leaves to go to bed. The next day, Charlotte Palmer comes to visit. The group gossips and then all the girls leave for shopping. Marianne was distracted all day long and when she returned from shopping she did not have a letter from Willoughby and he has also not stopped by. Marianne is very disappointed. Elinor is confused because her sister and Willoughby are supposed to be engaged yet he is not answering her. Elinor decides that she will ask her mother what should be done. Charlotte Palmer and some of Mrs. Jennings friends come for dinner. Marianne is distracted the entire time.

   Mrs. Jennings comments that the weather is so beautiful that everyone is hunting and staying in the country. Marianne feels that Willoughby must be in Combe Magna because he loves to hunt. Elinor hopes that Lady Middleton and Sir John will be coming soon. She also thinks that Marianne will try to write Willoughby in Combe Magna. The ladies visit some of Mrs. Jenning's friends and Marianne watches the weather the entire time. Elinor is worried about her sister's odd behavior. Colonel Brandon comes to visit nearly every day. Elinor is worried that he has fallen hard for Marianne and that he is really in loved with her.

   After a week, Willoughby comes by, but it was when no one was around. He leaves his calling card. Marianne is so upset and Elinor tries to comfort her that he will come back the next day to visit. Marianne stays home the entire next day and waits, but he never comes. A note is delivered, but it is not from Willoughby. The note is for Mrs. Jennings and says that the Middletons are in London. Lady Middleton invites them all to dinner the next night. Marianne wants to stay home, but Elinor persuades her to go along with them. Sir John is the same as he was in the country. He has lots of people over and it is like a party. Willoughby is not there. When they arrive home, Mrs. Jennings says that Willoughby was invited to the party but did not show up. Marianne is hurt and shocked by the news. She writes another letter to him.

   Elinor writes to her mother asking for advice about what to do concerning Marianne's situation with Willoughby. Colonel Brandon comes to visit just as Marianne is finishing her letter, and Marianne runs out of the room right before he walks in. Colonel Brandon is glad that it is only Elinor because he wants to talk to her privately. He says that it is well-known that Marianne and Willoughby are engaged. Elinor says that it is not well known and that she and her mother do not know this for a fact. Colonel Brandon says he knows this from many people such as: Mrs. Jennings, the Middletons, the Palmers. He wants to know if she is engaged or not. Elinor says that Marianne has not told her anything definitive. Colonel Brandon says that he wishes nothing but the best for them and he wants them to be happy. he leave, and Elinor feels very sad.

  Willoughby does not come by the next few days. Elinor and Marianne go to a party with Lady Middleton. Lady Middleton plays cards while the girls just talk. Willoughby comes in with a stylish young girl and he ignores Marianne and Elinor. Marianne sees Willoughby and is so happy, but then is confused why he won't come talk with her. Elinor tries to settle her down. Willoughby finally turns to greet them but acts like he barely knows them. Elinor greets him in a friendly manner, but he acts casual. Elinor controls her feelings, but Marianne is very upset and confronts Willoughby. Why can't he shake her hand? He finally does, but acts very coldly. Willoughby says he was sorry he missed them at Mrs. Jennings house the day he came by. Marianne asks if he has recieved her letters and what is going on. Willoughby makes up an excuse and leaves. Marianne nearly faints. Elinor tries to calm Marianne down and Willoughby leaves right away. Lady Middleton takes both Marianne and Elinor home. Marianne is very upset. When they get home, Elinor takes Marianne to bed and waits for Mrs. Jennings. Elinor does not know what is going on but it is apparent that there is no engagement and that he has obviously changed his mind about Marianne. Elinor is very upset by how he has treated her. Elinor feels that her problems concerning Edward don't seem nearly as bad becasue she can be his friend. It appears that Marianne cannot be anything with Willoughby any longer.

   The next day, Marianne is crying and writing a letter. Elinor tries to find out what is happening but Marianne will not say. Elinor tries to keep Mrs. Jennings distracted so she will not bother Marianne.Soon a letter arrives. Mrs. Jennings talks about how much in love Marianne is and when they will be married. Elinor says that the information about an engagement is a joke, but Mrs. Jennings does not believe that because everyone has heard about it. Elinor tells her that she will feel bad for spreading such a rumor. Elinor leaves breakfast to go and check on Marianne and finds her crying. They both cry together till Marianne lets Elinor read the letter. it says that Marianne is crazy that she ever though that Willoughby cared for her becasue he loves someone else. He also returned all of her letters.

   Elinor is terribly shocked and disgusted. She does not know what to do. She excuses herself for the day and says that Marianne is sick and she must care for her. Marianne wants to die and wishes that she could be happy like Elinor and be loved by someone like Edward. Elinor is quiet and does not tell her that things are not like she thinks they are. Elinor says that she cannot be happy when her sister is sad and tells her to be glad that she found out what a bad person he was before continuing the engagement. Then Marianne says that they never were really engaged. She said that he never said he loved her but that she assumed it. Elinor started to read her sisters letters and saw the desperation in the letters that her sister worte. She kept asking why he wouldn't visit and demanded that he explain why he was cold. She kept asking why he didn't answer her heartfelt letters. Now Elinor is shocked that her sister wrote the letters at all.

   Marianne keeps saying that she knows he loved her even if he never said it and she is sure that someone must have changed his mind because he could have never changed his own mind. Marianne wonders who the girl is who stole Willoughby from her. Marianne wants to go home the next day and Elinor makes Marianne lay down and go to bed.

When Mrs. Jennings returned from a drive, she sought Marianne and Elinor at once, telling them she had heard that Willoughby was to be married very soon. She was so genuinely grieved for Marianne that she showed her every possible kindness: "Marianne was to have the best place by the fire, was to be tempted to eat by every delicacy in the house." Sad though she felt, Elinor could not help but be amused by their hostess' "endeavours to cure a disappointment in love, by a variety of sweetmeat and olives, and a good fire”. Later, Colonel Brandon called. He told Elinor that he had overheard two ladies talking in a shop. One of them was Mrs. Ellison, Miss Grey's guardian. She told her friend that "everything was now finally settled." Miss Grey was to marry Mr. Willoughby, and "as soon as the ceremony was over, they were to go to Coombe Magna, his seat in Somersetshire."

Mrs. Jennings continued her good services, all of which were unappreciated by Marianne, who felt that the woman was using her as a source of gossip. When she came to Marianne's room, glowing, with a letter which she believed would cheer the girl, Marianne assumed the correspondence was from Willoughby, and her distress was heightened when she realized it was but from her mother. What was worse, her mother spoke continually of Willoughby with the greatest confidence in his good intentions. Marianne longed to go home, but Elinor persuaded her to wait for their mother's advice.

Elinor started a letter to her mother but was interrupted by the arrival of Colonel Brandon, who was very desirous of finding Elinor alone. Warning her that she would find him "a very awkward narrator," he began to tell her about Eliza, a girl who "in some measure" resembled Marianne.

   Eliza, an orphan and wealthy, was under the guardianship of Colonel Brandon's father, who was a close relative and grew up with him in his home. They planned to elope, but a housemaid betrayed them, and, at seventeen, against her inclination, Eliza was married to Colonel Brandon's older brother. This was done so that her large income could save the Brandon estate, which had gone to his older brother. He treated her badly, and after two years they were divorced. Eliza was then seduced by one man after another. After serving in the East Indies for three years, Colonel Brandon came home and began to search for her. He at last found her a consumptive, "so altered, so faded,worn down by acute suffering of every kind!" He did all he could for her and "was with her in her last moments." Twelve months ago, she had asked permission to go to Bath with a friend. There she had disappeared, and it was eight months before Colonel Brandon found what had happened to her. He received a letter, the same letter which had caused him to leave Barton Park so abruptly on the day of the planned excursion to Whitwell. She had been seduced by Mr. Willoughby, who "had left her, promising to return; he neither returned, nor wrote, nor relieved her." At present she lived in the country with the child who was the product of that event. Colonel Brandon had challenged Willoughby to a duel, but neither had been wounded, "and the meeting, therefore, never got abroad." He told Elinor to tell Marianne whatever she saw fit. "You must know best what will be its effect."

   When Elinor told Marianne about Willoughby's shocking behavior, she "felt the loss of Willoughby's character yet more heavily than she had felt the loss of his heart." But she was kinder to Colonel Brandon, "even voluntarily speaking, with a kind of compassionate respect." Mrs. Dashwood, on learning the truth from Elinor's letter, was miserable; however, she advised them not to shorten their visit to Mrs. Jennings, for the distraction would do Marianne good. Mrs. Palmer, Sir John, and Lady Middleton were all indignant about Willoughby's behavior and swore they would have nothing more to do with him, although, seeing the future Mrs. Willoughby would be a lady of fashion, Lady Middleton planned to leave her card with her.

   The Misses Steele arrived in town and paid a call, behaving with their usual vulgarity. Lucy insinuated that Elinor had stayed in town to see Edward, and it took all Elinor's civility to remain composed in front of the girl. John was punctual and, after exchanging civilities with Mrs. Jennings and Colonel Brandon, went with Elinor to call on Sir John and Lady Middleton. On the way, John questioned her about Colonel Brandon and despite her protests insisted on believing that the colonel was interested in Elinor. He mentioned a prior attachment of  Elinor's, saying it was out of the question and, alluding to an engagement for Edward, told her, "It is not actually settled, but there is such a thing in agitation. John was well pleased with his visit to Sir John and Lady Middleton and went off satisfied that he would have "a charming account to carry to Fanny." He had feared they would be low-class due to Mrs. Jennings' low connections. But he was much impressed by Lady Middleton's elegance and Sir John's amiability.

   Mrs. Dashwood called on Lady Middleton the next day, and the two ladies took to each other at once. The Dashwoods invited the Middletons, Mrs. Jennings, the Dashwood sisters, the Steele sisters, and Colonel Brandon to dinner. Elinor was very curious to see Edward's mother, Mrs. Ferrars, who was also to be at dinner. She feared that Edward himself would be present and "hardly knew how she could bear it!" But Lucy Steele assured her that Edward had written he would not be there. Mrs. Ferrars was a little, thin woman . . . serious, even to sourness." She made a special point of being rude to Elinor, whom she was determined to dislike, and ironically transferred her attentions to the Steele sisters. After dinner, when Fanny showed her mother some screens painted by Elinor, Mrs. Ferrars was so rude that Marianne, with her usual fervency, flew to Elinor's defense. Then she burst into tears, exclaiming "Dear, dear Elinor, don't mind them. Don't let them make you unhappy." Mrs. Jennings and Colonel Brandon tried to help. Sir John, enraged anew against Willoughby's behavior, took a seat next to Lucy Steele "and gave her, in a whisper, a brief account of the whole shocking affair.

   After all this, in the afternoon the couple became engaged. Edward explained to Elinor how he had happened to become engaged to Lucy Steele, and how "it was not, at the time, an unnatural or inexcusable piece of folly." He then showed her the letter that he had received from Lucy informing him that she felt he didn't really love her and that she had found someone who could in Robert. Colonel Brandon came for a short time, and letters from Mrs. Jennings and John Dashwood brought news once again of Robert's marriage to Lucy. John felt that Edward should send a letter of apology to Mrs. Ferrars, but Edward decided to go to London in person to see his sister Fanny and "personally intreat her good offices in his favour," hoping that she might be able to bring about a reconciliation with his mother.

  Mrs. Ferrars was finally reconciled to Edward and gave him a settlement of ten thousand pounds: "It was as much . . . as was desired, and more than was expected, by Edward and Elinor." Robert procured the forgiveness of his mother "by the simple expedient of asking it." Lucy, too, was clever enough to win the favor of her mother-in-law and was soon raised "to the highest state of affection and influence. Elinor and Edward married and stayed at Colonel Brandon's house until the parsonage was ready. When they were settled, her mother and sisters spent much more than half their time there, "Mrs. Dashwood . . . acting on motives of policy as well as pleasure," for she wanted to throw Marianne and Colonel Brandon together as much as possible. Eventually, Marianne married Colonel Brandon, who "was now as happy as all those who best loved him believed he deserved to be. . . . Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby."

   Willoughby always thought of Marianne with regret. As further punishment, Mrs. Smith forgave him, and he realized that had he married Marianne he could have been both rich and happy. He cannot be said to have been totally unhappy, for he had his hunting and dogs and the occasional good humor of his wife. Mrs. Dashwood remained at Barton Cottage, for "Margaret had reached an age highly suitable for dancing, and not very ineligible for being supposed to have a lover."

 

   Frankenstein is a novel written by English author Mary Shelley that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a grotesque but sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition of the novel was published anonymously in London in 1818, when she was 20. Her name first appeared on the second edition, published in France in 1823.

The main characters of this novel are the next  ones:

Victor Frankenstein  -  The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror. Victor keeps his creation of the monster a secret, feeling increasingly guilty and ashamed as he realizes how helpless he is to prevent the monster from ruining his life and the lives of others.

 

The monster -  The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. Intelligent and sensitive, the monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. His feeling of abandonment compels him to seek revenge against his creator.

 

Robert Walton  -  The Arctic seafarer whose letters open and close Frankenstein. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victor’s story. He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England.

 

Alphonse Frankenstein -  Victor’s father, very sympathetic toward his son. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance of family.

 

Elizabeth Lavenza -  An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom the Frankensteins adopt. In the 1818 edition of the novel, Elizabeth is Victor’s cousin, the child of Alphonse Frankenstein’s sister. In the 1831 edition, Victor’s mother rescues Elizabeth from a destitute peasant cottage in Italy. Elizabeth embodies the novel’s motif of passive women, as she waits patiently for Victor’s attention.

 

Henry Clerval -  Victor’s boyhood friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor’s footsteps as a scientist. His cheerfulness counters Victor’s moroseness.

 

William Frankenstein -  Victor’s youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. The monster strangles William in the woods outside Geneva in order to hurt Victor for abandoning him. William’s death deeply saddens Victor and burdens him with tremendous guilt about having created the monster.

 

Justine Moritz -  A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Justine is blamed and executed for William’s murder, which is actually committed by the monster.

Caroline Beaufort  -  The daughter of Beaufort. After her father’s death, Caroline is taken in by, and later marries, Alphonse Frankenstein. She dies of scarlet fever, which she contracts from Elizabeth, just before Victor leaves for Ingolstadt at age seventeen.

 

Beaufort -  A merchant and friend of Victor’s father; the father of Caroline Beaufort.

 

Peasants -  A family of peasants, including a blind old man, De Lacey; his son and daughter, Felix and Agatha; and a foreign woman named Safie. The monster learns how to speak and interact by observing them. When he reveals himself to them, hoping for friendship, they beat him and chase him away.

 

M. Waldman -  The professor of chemistry who sparks Victor’s interest in science. He dismisses the alchemists’ conclusions as unfounded but sympathizes with Victor’s interest in a science that can explain the “big questions,” such as the origin of life.

 

M. Krempe  -  A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. He dismisses Victor’s study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew.

 

Mr. Kirwin -  The magistrate who accuses Victor of Henry’s murder

 

   The story begins when Victor Frankenstein is now the main narrator of the story from this point on to Chapter 24. He begins his story just slightly before his birth. His father, although as of yet unnamed, is Alphonse Frankenstein, who was involved heavily in the affairs of his country and thus delayed marriage until late in life. Alphonse quits public life to become a father and husband. Victor's father and Mr. Beaufort, his mother Caroline's father, had a congenial relationship. Mr. Beaufort and his daughter move from Geneva to Lucerne, Switzerland to seek refuge from poverty and a damaged reputation. Alphonse sets out to aid his lost friend to "begin the world again through his credit and assistance."

   While in Lucerne, Beaufort had saved a small amount of money and had recovered his reputation somewhat, but he became ill and within a few months had died. When Alphonse finds the Beaufort home, he discovers an impoverished Caroline grieving at her father's coffin. Alphonse gives his friend a decent burial and sends Caroline to his family in Geneva to recover. During a two-year period, Alphonse visits Caroline and they eventually became husband and wife. Seeking a better climate, the couple moves to Italy for a short period. During this time, Victor was born and lavished with attention. He was their only child for five years until Caroline comes across an impoverished family in need of help. She falls for a beautiful little girl who is Victor's age and asks the family if she could adopt her. The little girl, Elizabeth, becomes Victor's adopted cousin and playmate. Around the age of seven, Victor's younger brother is born. Up to this point, he and Elizabeth have been the primary receivers of their parents' love. Their parents decide to settle down in Geneva to concentrate on raising their family.

Victor introduces his life-long friend Henry Clerval, a creative child who studies literature and folklore. At the age of 13, Victor discovers the works of Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus, all alchemists from an earlier age. His voracious appetite for knowledge thus begins, and eventually leads him to study science and alchemy. At age 15, Victor witnesses an electrical storm that peaks his interest in electricity and possible applications for its use. Victor is now 17 years old and ready to become a student at the University of Ingolstadt in Ingolstadt, Germany (near Munich), but an outbreak of scarlet fever at home delays his departure. His mother and "cousin" both fight the disease; Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein dies, and Elizabeth recovers. Before Caroline dies, she reveals her unrealized plans for the marriage of Victor and Elizabeth by saying, "my firmest hopes of the future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union."

  Elizabeth becomes the family caretaker upon Caroline's death. Victor finds it hard to say goodbye to his family and dear friend, but he sets out for Ingolstadt to begin his studies in science. Victor meets his mentors, Professor M. Krempe and Professor M. Waldman, at the university. He does not like Krempe, but he does find Waldman a much more conducive and congenial teacher. Victor throws himself into his schoolwork, reading all he can about the sciences, particularly chemistry. Gaining a reputation as a scientist and innovator among the professors and fellow students alike. Believing his tenure at Ingolstadt was nearing an end, Victor thinks of returning home to Geneva. However, he launches into a new venue of scientific experimentation — creating life from death and reanimating a dead body.

   Visiting morgues and cemeteries for the necessary body parts, Victor fails several times before successfully bringing his creation to life. His work does take its toll on him, affecting his health and powers of judgment. This gruesome work carries on through the spring, summer, and fall of that year. Victor lives for his work and throws himself into his pursuit so much that he shuts off all contact with the outside world. In the second summer Victor loses touch with his family. Letters from home go unanswered for long periods of time, and he delays sending a message home as to his health or well being.

Victor thought he was doing a service by creating a new human. He says, "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. I might in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." This goes back to the theme of learning and the use of knowledge for good or evil purposes. This quote also shows insight into Victor's state of mind, how he had built up his own ego thinking that he would be revered by the creature(s) he creates. It makes Victor like a human god. Victor admonishes his listener by saying "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the aquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow." Shelley warns her readers about how knowledge can be too much and can cause catastrophic problems. It is this creation of another race of men that Shelley seeks to place in the mind of the reader. It is also now demonstrably clear that death can be conquered, and that man's replacement as God is now complete.

   Victor is changing into a different person. His work is taking over his health, even though he knows, "a human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquillity. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule." But his work is taking over his life, and he knows it. He says, "every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime." The last line in particular, "guilty of a crime," seems important. Victor knows his work on the monster is morally repugnant and that if any person knew of his work, the outside world would be repulsed by the nature of his experiments.

   Victor succeeds in bringing his creation, an eight-foot man, to life in November of his second year. Excited and disgusted at "the monster" he had created, he runs from the apartment. He wanders the streets of Ingolstadt until Henry Clerval finds him in poor condition. Henry had come to see about his friend and to enroll at the university. Henry and Victor return to Victor's apartment to find the monster gone. Victor finds the disappearance of his monster a source of joy and falls down in a fit of exhaustion from the release of anxiety over his creation. Henry spends the rest of the winter and spring nursing Victor back to health after the tumultuous fall. Henry advises Victor to write home, as a letter had recently arrived from his family in Geneva.

   Elizabeth's letter is the kind one would expect from a concerned family member. It is full of news from home that delights Victor and restores him to better health. Elizabeth tells of Justine Moritz, the Frankenstein's housekeeper and confidant. Even though Justine was treated poorly by her own family, she is a martyr for being a good, loyal friend to the Frankenstein family. Victor introduces Henry to his professors, who praise Victor highly. Victor and Henry begin their studies together, studying ancient and foreign languages in order to engage their minds. Both men are happy to be hard-working college students. Plans are made for Victor to return to Geneva in the fall, after his spring recovery, but weather and other delays make the trip impossible, and winter sets in. He revises his plans to depart in May.

 

   Victor receives a letter from his father telling him to return home immediately. William, the youngest in the family, has been murdered by strangulation. The family were out on an evening stroll near their home when the young boy ran ahead of the group. He was later found "stretched on the grass livid and motionless; the print of the murder's finger was on his neck." Missing was a locket that Elizabeth had given William of their mother. When Victor arrives at the city gates, they are closed, so he must remain outside the city in Secheron until the gates are reopened at dawn. It is at this time that he realizes that he had been gone six years from home and that two years have passed since the creation of his monster.

   While near Secheron, on Mont Blanc, Victor catches a glimpse of the monster between flashes of lightning. Having a nagging feeling that the murder of his little brother could be the handiwork of his monster, Victor questions, "Could he be (I shuddered at the conception) the murderer of my brother?" The monster disappears when he realizes that he has been seen by his creator. Now fully believing that his creation murdered William, Victor knows that he cannot reveal the source of the crime without some serious inquiry about his creation. Thus, Victor is torn between revealing the monster and risking inquisition on his past or letting the criminal justice system free the accused. Finally at home, Victor engages in a conversation with his family. He learns that Justine is accused of the murder with circumstantial evidence. He relays his assertion of Justine's innocence and states that she will be found not guilty. His words reassure Elizabeth in a time of great need. Summary

   The trial for Justine Moritz begins at 11:00 the next morning. Victor suffers silent torture while the entire scene plays out in front of him. Yet, he can do nothing to stop it. Justine carries herself calmly at the trial, answering the charges and getting a sterling defense from Elizabeth. Although Justine proclaims her innocence, she is convicted of the crime. Her sentence is to die by hanging the following day. Elizabeth and Victor go to see Justine in prison where both learn that Justine had given a false confession under stiff questioning. Justine goes to her death with no fear, leaving Victor to ponder the deaths of two innocent victims. Victor finds no relief at the end of Justine's trial. Haunted by the thoughts of how he ruined so many lives, he cannot sleep or rest. He sinks into a deep depression from which he cannot escape. He tries boating on Lake Geneva and a trip into the Swiss Mountains. He escapes to the Chamounix valley region to rest and recover his senses.

   Victor takes a tour of a nearby mountain and glacier on Mount Montanvert to refresh his tortured soul. While on the glacier, the monster confronts his maker. Victor seems ready to engage in a combat to the death, but the monster convinces Victor to listen to his story. The two go to the monster's squDuring Chapters 11-16 the monster is the narrator and begins to tell his tale to Victor. The monster begins his story by recalling his earliest memories and how he came to be. After fleeing the city and villages where he is not welcomed, the monster learns to live in the forest. Food is sometimes stolen, and shelter is scarce. He does manage to find a "hovel" attached to a small cottage. He fashions a way to see into the cottage and begins to observe the life of the De Lacey family — brother Felix, sister Agatha, and their blind father — who lives in the small home.alid hut on the mountain, and the monster begins to tell his tale.

   The monster notices the care and concern the family has for each other, and he senses that there is a mood of despair among the younger family members. The family suffers from poverty and a lack of food. Originally a well-to-do family from France, the De Lacey's have been exiled from France to Germany. The monster learns the French language from the family and practices those words by himself. Desiring to keep his cottagers happy, the monster becomes an aid to the family by secretly hauling wood to the cottage and performing repairs, all under the cover of darkness. He begins to follow a routine of daily activity and time passes from winter to spring.

   The monster relates how Felix reunites with his lost love, Safie, a woman of Turkish descent. Felix had rescued Safie's father from death in France and had placed her in the protection of a convent of nuns. She arrives in Germany just barely literate. Felix is overjoyed to see her again. Safie makes an earnest attempt to learn the De Lacey's language, which benefits the monster in learning a language as well. While listening to the conversations in the house, the monster gets a brief but memorable lesson in the history of Europe. Content in his hiding place, he calls the De Lacey family his "protectors."The De Lacey family history is told through this chapter. The monster tells that the family was once well regarded in France with wealth and social position. Felix aides Safie's father in a plot to subvert the biased French justice system and free the Turkish merchant from death on the gallows. The discovery of the plot by the French authorities causes the ruin of the De Lacey family, as the government confiscates the De Lacey's wealth for their aid in the escape of Safie's father. Safie also must endure her own trials to find her benefactors in a foreign country.

   The monster begins his own education, reading the books and notes that he found in Victor's jacket in the nearby woods. In the jacket pocket are Milton's Paradise Lost, Plutarch's Lives of Illustrious Greeks and Romans, and Goethe's Sorrows of Werter. The list is a virtual required reading list of books that are all influenced by the Romantic movement in England. Plutarch compares and contrasts the lives of Greek and Roman statesmen or soldiers for historical perspective. Goethe's work is a novel of letters written by a youth who is very sensitive and steadfast, who kills himself after being so uncompromising and idealistic. Milton's book is about the creation story and Adam, which causes the monster to question his own creation and place in the world. Finally, the monster discovers Victor's own notebooks, which explain how the monster came into existence. The monster is both intrigued and horrified at learning how he came into existence. The monster also sees that his "adopted family" is doing better with the arrival of Safie.

   The monster and Victor are caught up to each other in time by the end of this chapter. This chapter is pivotal in that it blends the two sides into one story.The monster sees his family leave their cottage, so he burns it down and goes to live off of the land. His travels carry him near Geneva, where he meets William Frankenstein, Victor's youngest brother. Realizing who the boy is, the monster murders the child and plants the locket in Justine's dress pocket. The monster's final request from Victor is to create him a mate. The monster and Victor finish their conversation in a hut on the slopes of Montanvert. This important chapter is where the monster confronts his maker with an all or nothing proposition:"make me a mate or I will destroy you." He convinces Victor to once again re-create the process first used on the monster. Victor sees the monster's point of view and agrees to create a mate for the monster.

 

   Back in Geneva, Victor begins to study how he will create a second monster; he wants to know the latest developments in the scientific community. He recovers himself and tells his father that he wishes to go to London on a tour. He promises his father that upon his return he will marry Elizabeth. In September, he leaves Geneva, travels through France to Germany, Holland, and then London. His best friend Henry Clerval accompanies Victor on his journey. The two arrive in London during the late days of December. Victor and Henry spend the winter in London, touring that city and making plans to visit the rest of England. The visit delights Henry, while Victor broods and only visits the philosophers who have the latest scientific information. The two go to Oxford, and a friend invites them to visit Scotland. Here, Victor suggests they part ways; he carries on with his plan, unknown to Henry, and fixes upon a poor, relatively uninhabited island in the Orkney Island chain. Here, Victor can finish his work in solitude and out of sight of anyone who may suspect his intentions. He gathers the latest information about the advances in his field but remains a depressed soul with the thought of what he must do again. To Victor, this whole odyssey is like torture, as he must gather the raw materials for a second creature. Henry is not aware of Victor's determined efforts and carries out his part of the tour with joy.

   Victor sets about his work, creating a second female monster. After following Victor and Henry through mainland Europe and England, the monster comes near Victor's workshop in Scotland to see his mate. In a fit of anger and guilt, Victor destroys the half-finished creation in front of the monster and tells the monster he will not continue. The threat the monster makes is an ominous one:"I shall be with you on your wedding-night." The monster then disappears into the night.

Victor now contemplates who will be the creature's next victim. He receives a letter from Henry Clerval urging him to come back to London to begin planning a journey to India. Victor rushes to leave his island within two days, once he dismantles the laboratory and hides the remains. He sets out in a boat around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. to dispose of the remaining body parts. Once the task is complete, he lays down in the boat to rest when the rising sun and wind awaken him. A storm pushes the sailboat out to sea, and Victor finds himself in a dire situation. He fabricates a sail from his own clothes to steer him toward a town near shore. Surprised to find the local folk hostile towards him, he asks, "Surely it is not the custom of Englishmen to receive strangers so inhospitably." A man answers "it is the custom of the Irish to hate villains." Victor is immediately taken into custody, accused of murder, and sent to the local magistrate, Mr. Kirwin, to await sentencing. Victor goes along peacefully.

   A body has washed ashore; the method of death is familiar, the black marks of fingers on the neck. Since  Victor appears around this same time, several people put him near the scene of a crime even though he had not been present. At least two witnesses saw a large creature deposit the body of Henry Clerval on the beach and leave. Mr. Kirwin, the local magistrate, suggests that the whole entourage go to see the body. Victor becomes violently ill and passes two months near death:"The human frame could no longer support the agonies that I endured, and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions." Victor is held in prison, and Kirwin sends a nurse and doctor to return him to good health.

   At the trial, Kirwin offers a spirited defense of Victor and manages to secure Victor's release when the court learns of Victor's residence on the Orkney Islands. The time of the murder and Victor's presence in his lab in the Orkney's proves that he did not commit the crime. Alphonse takes Victor home. The pair travel from Ireland to Le Harve, France and overland to Paris for a brief stay. Victor and Alphonse travel from Le Harve, France to Paris. They rest a few days in Paris before continuing on to Geneva. Elizabeth sends a letter to Victor asking if he has another love. When he arrives in Geneva, he assures her that he is ready to marry her. Ten days after his return home, Victor marries Elizabeth. Knowing that the threat made by the monster still hangs over him, Victor leaves on his honeymoon not sure whether the monster will carry out his evil plan.

   While Victor is prowling the halls of the inn where the couple was living, the monster makes good on his threat to Victor, enters their bedroom, and strangles Elizabeth. Victor shoots at the monster when he flees, but the monster gets away without being wounded. When Alphonse learns of Elizabeth's death, he is overcome with grief and dies. Victor goes to a local magistrate and tells the entire story to him. With the local authorities hamstrung as to what their action should be, Victor sets off in search of the monster to exact revenge.

   Victor leaves Geneva forever, goaded on by the monster's laughter. A chase ensues as Victor tries to capture and kill the creature who has tormented him for several years. Victor chases the monster from Geneva south to the Mediterranean Sea. Both board a ship bound for the Black Sea, journey through Russia, and make their way north to the Arctic Circle. The weather gets worse as the duo travels north. There is little or no food and fierce winter storms. The monster steals a dog sled team and is seen by local villagers to be armed and dangerous. Victor closes to within one mile of the monster when the ice on which both travel begins to crack and separate the two from each other.

It is at this time when Robert Walton finds Victor, with his dying dog team dogs floating on an ice flow in the Arctic Ocean. Victor encourages Robert to continue the fight to destroy the monster if he does not.