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The Three Weissmanns of Westport


"Schine's homage to Jane Austen has it all....A sparkling, crisp, clever, deft, ...
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Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

Created: 08/11/11

Replies: 5

Posted Aug. 11, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

The novel is based on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and Schine balances "sense" (emotion) and "sensibility" (rationality) throughout her novel. In your opinion, does Schine's novel make a statement about which characteristic is better? How?


Posted Aug. 11, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gwendolyndawson

Join Date: 10/20/10

Posts: 63

RE: Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

I think Schine is making the point that pure "sense" and pure "sensibility" both have their limitations. In the case of pure "sense," the downside is not being open to love and not accepting emotional risks. Annie (i.e. the "sense" sister) is emotionally withdrawn and often lonely. She can't recognize love because she is too busy being practical and shielding herself from unpleasant emotions. It takes her a very long time to finally realize that Robers is interested in her and not Miranda. In the case of pure "sensibility," the downside is being too emotionally involved to see the truth. Miranda (i.e. the "sensibility" sister) thinks she is in love with Kit when it's fairly obvious to more objective eyes that the relationship is doomed. Miranda would benefit from a dose of sense.


Posted Aug. 14, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
randih

Join Date: 08/14/11

Posts: 8

RE: Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

I agree with Gwendolyn -- neither sense nor sensibility come ahead in this book as a strong winner. However, Miranda I believe has a slight advantage in that she at least lets herself feel emotions and get caught up in love more, even if it doesn't always work out. Annie is too tied up in taking care of everyone to really let herself go. Her falling in love with Frederick, who she didn't see for months and barely knew, is an example of this. How "safe" to fall in love with someone who is not around!


Posted Aug. 14, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolyna

Join Date: 08/14/11

Posts: 25

RE: Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

One of the characters has to be the caretaker in this family and Annie is the one. Miranda can behave in the manner that she does, cuz she knows Annie will always rescue her! Betty always has a man to help her out of her troubles. Look at Frederick!! What do you think of Cousin Lou?


Posted Aug. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
audreg

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 5

RE: Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

Miranda found love and happiness after she gave her feelings completely to Henry without regard to herself and what was in it for her. She finally learned to love another completely. But then she didn't have to worry about money at that point because Annie was covering those details.


Posted Aug. 19, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marshas

Join Date: 07/09/11

Posts: 7

RE: Does this novel make a statement about whether "sense" or "sensibility" is the better character?

I think the book is saying that a balance of both is what works best. I see this exemplified in the Betty character. She's carefree, whimsical, a bit silly, but then digs in after she see's that Joseph's not going to take care of her and hires the big gun lawyer to get her due in the end.


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