In Sense And Sensibility, the revised title of Jane Austen’s ‘Elinor And Marianne’ “sense” refers to common sense or wisdom whereas “sensibility”, the power of being emotionally alive or proactive. But this is a clichéd perspective overworked and worn out by a large number of Austen scholars. The present essay endeavours to bring about a successful comprehension of the novel on the basis of Pareto’s Principle, also known as the law of the vital few, the principle of factor sparsity or the 80/20 rule.
Jane Austen (1775-1817), the most endearing novelist to her readers and one of the finest writers of prose fiction, who once humbly said about her craft that she wrote on a piece of ivory “two inches wide” (See Tony Tanner, 1986) composed her first novel (‘Elinor and Marianne’ later renamed ‘Sense And Sensibility’) in 1795 in the form of letters as an epistolary novel, later revising and re-revising it as a narrative novel before it finally published in 1811. Her authorship was penned covertly under the title “By a lady”. This anonymity was to continue until her death, but posed no hindrance to her fame, which continued to surge, holding her in high esteem as a skilfull and accomplished writer. But it was only after her death that her novels came to be critically appreciated and revalued by such eminent critics as Sir Walter Scott, A.C. Bradley, F.R. Leavis, Ian Watt and Henry James to name a few.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Pareto's Principle
- The Dashwood Sisters
- Applying Pareto's Principle to Elinor and Marianne
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility through the lens of Pareto's Principle (the 80/20 rule), offering a fresh perspective on the characters' experiences and choices. It explores how the characters' actions and their consequences relate to this principle.
- Pareto's Principle and its application to literature
- Analysis of Elinor's character through the 80/20 rule
- Analysis of Marianne's character through the 80/20 rule
- Contrasting Elinor and Marianne's approaches to life and love
- The consequences of emotional restraint and unrestrained emotion
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the context of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, highlighting its initial publication as an epistolary novel and later revisions. It briefly touches upon Austen's life and the critical reception of her work, emphasizing her unique position as a female novelist during her time. The essay's central objective – analyzing the novel through the framework of Pareto's Principle – is clearly articulated, setting the stage for a nuanced exploration of the characters and their experiences. The introduction also provides a concise overview of Pareto's Principle itself, emphasizing its applicability beyond economics.
Pareto's Principle: This section delves into a detailed explanation of Pareto's Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, providing historical context and examples from Pareto's own observations. It clarifies the principle's core concept: that 80% of effects often stem from 20% of causes. The section firmly establishes the analytical framework that will be used throughout the essay to interpret the narrative events and character motivations in Sense and Sensibility.
The Dashwood Sisters: This chapter summarizes the narrative arc of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. It details their displacement from Norland, their relationship with Colonel Brandon and Willoughby, and the unfolding of their romantic entanglements. The chapter highlights the contrasting approaches of Elinor (restrained emotion) and Marianne (unrestrained emotion), establishing a foundational contrast that will be further analyzed through the lens of Pareto's Principle. The section also mentions the subplot involving Elinor's relationship with Edward Ferrars and Lucy Steele.
Applying Pareto's Principle to Elinor and Marianne: This section constitutes the core argumentative section of the essay. It analyzes Elinor and Marianne's experiences through the lens of Pareto's Principle. Elinor's emotional restraint is examined, arguing that her 20% of suppressed emotions lead to 80% of her suffering. Conversely, Marianne's unrestrained emotions are shown to cause her significant distress. The chapter concludes by contrasting the sisters' approaches to love and life, highlighting Elinor's selfless nature and Marianne's impulsive behavior, and relating these contrasting behaviors to the 80/20 principle.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Pareto's Principle, 80/20 rule, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, emotional restraint, unrestrained emotion, prudence, sensibility, love, consequences, analysis.
Sense and Sensibility: A Pareto Principle Analysis - FAQ
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay analyzes Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility through the lens of Pareto's Principle (the 80/20 rule). It examines how the characters' actions and their consequences relate to this principle, offering a fresh perspective on their experiences and choices.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes, including the application of Pareto's Principle to literature, an analysis of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood's characters through the 80/20 rule, a contrast between their approaches to life and love, and the consequences of emotional restraint versus unrestrained emotion.
How does the essay apply Pareto's Principle to the characters?
The essay argues that Elinor's emotional restraint, while seemingly beneficial, leads to a disproportionate amount of suffering (80% effect from 20% cause). Conversely, Marianne's unrestrained emotions cause significant distress. The analysis contrasts their behaviors, highlighting Elinor's selflessness and Marianne's impulsiveness within the framework of the 80/20 rule.
What is covered in the introduction of the essay?
The introduction sets the context of Sense and Sensibility, briefly discussing Austen's life, the novel's initial publication as an epistolary novel and later revisions, and its critical reception. It clearly articulates the essay's central objective: analyzing the novel using Pareto's Principle. It also provides a concise overview of Pareto's Principle itself.
What is the focus of the chapter on Pareto's Principle?
This chapter provides a detailed explanation of Pareto's Principle (the 80/20 rule), including its historical context, examples, and core concept: that 80% of effects often stem from 20% of causes. It establishes the analytical framework used throughout the essay.
What does the chapter on the Dashwood sisters cover?
This chapter summarizes the sisters' narrative arc, detailing their displacement from Norland, their relationships with Colonel Brandon and Willoughby, and their contrasting approaches to emotion (Elinor's restraint and Marianne's unrestraint). It also mentions the subplot involving Elinor and Edward Ferrars and Lucy Steele.
What is the main argument of the chapter applying Pareto's Principle to Elinor and Marianne?
This chapter forms the core argument, analyzing Elinor and Marianne's experiences through the 80/20 rule. It examines how Elinor's suppressed emotions lead to significant suffering and how Marianne's unrestrained emotions cause her distress. It contrasts their approaches to love and life, relating these behaviors to Pareto's Principle.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Pareto's Principle, 80/20 rule, Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, emotional restraint, unrestrained emotion, prudence, sensibility, love, consequences, analysis.
What is the overall structure of the essay?
The essay follows a structured format including an introduction, a section explaining Pareto's Principle, a chapter summarizing the Dashwood sisters' story, a core analytical chapter applying Pareto's Principle to the sisters, and a conclusion (implied). A table of contents and keywords are provided.
What is the intended audience of this essay?
The essay is intended for an academic audience interested in literary analysis and the application of economic principles to literature. The language and style suggest a scholarly approach suitable for academic use.
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- Dr.hc Puja Chakraberty (Autor:in), 2015, Clarifying The Relevance of 80/20 with respect to the Complexity of Ideas in Jane Austen’s ‘Sense And Sensibility’, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/289366
