Sense and Sensibility and the Bible: Part 2

by Brenda S. Cox

“All great art contains elements of the true story: the story of the good creation, the fallen world, and the longing for redemption,” claims Professor Jerram Barrs  (Echoes of Eden, 79).

Note: Whether you’re interested in the Bible or not, Jane Austen was very familiar with it, and you may find some new insights into Austen’s stories in these posts.

Stories often contain some form of the overarching Bible story of a good creation, a fall from grace, and some kind of redemption or salvation. Jane Austen, who knew the Bible well, may have had these ideas in mind, whether consciously or subconsciously. Last week, we started looking at Sense and Sensibility. We  considered how Marianne and Willoughby’s story reflects that arc. We also saw echoes of the Prodigal Son and the “kinsman-redeemer” in the book of Ruth.

The Root of Evil

The Bible says “the love of money is the root of all evil” (I Tim. 6:10)—and we see that at least four times in this novel. First, John and Fanny Dashwood’s love of money causes them to fail in caring for the widow and the fatherless, as the Bible requires. Then, Willoughby’s love of money causes him to fail in keeping his unspoken promises to Marianne and to Eliza Williams, and to fail in “loving his neighbour as himself.” He puts his desire for money above his love for Marianne. Mrs. Ferrars’ love of money causes her to disinherit Edward and reject both of her sons. (Her pride and love of flattery, though, enable her to accept Robert’s marriage.) Finally, Lucy Steele’s love of money triumphs over her professed love for Edward. Austen is criticizing her society’s emphasis on money, showing these characters whose love of money leads them astray.

Work and Idleness

The worst influence appears to be money that is not earned. Elinor thinks that Willoughby’s early financial independence has led to “idleness, dissipation and luxury,” which led to vanity, extravagance, and selfishness, ruining his character.

Edward’s mother, Mrs. Ferrars, has not given him financial independence, but she has not allowed him to pursue a worthwhile occupation. So he is idle like Willoughby, leading to trouble.

In the Bible, even in Paradise, God gave Adam and Eve the gift of productive work to do. Ecclesiastes 10:18 says (in the King James version Austen knew), “By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.” In other words, idleness and laziness lead to destruction. Idleness, leading to selfishness, poisons Willoughby and harms Edward. But Edward keeps his humility and integrity.

Austen is again criticizing her society. Having enough money to be a gentleman was the ideal, and many wealthy people wasted their lives away. However, Austen praises gentlemen like Brandon, Darcy, and Knightley. They are responsible landowners who work hard and care for those on their estates. They act more like Adam in the Garden of Eden, ruling benevolently over creation.

Edward, Elinor, and Lucy: Paradise and Fall

Where is Paradise in Edward and Elinor’s story? They fall in love and are happy at Norland, but there has already been a snake in the grass. Edward has “fallen,” and Elinor’s hopes crash when she learns of it.

In his dangerous idleness, Edward was deceived by Lucy Steele, his tempting serpent. Lucy is totally selfish and malicious. She convinces Edward that she loves him, getting him to propose and to stick to their engagement. She also tempts Elinor, pricking at her, hoping Elinor will lose her temper or reveal her now-forbidden love for Edward. But Elinor, with her strong moral character, stands firm. In this case, the “Adam” of the story fell to deception, but the “Eve” does not.

However, Edward shows his strong moral character by keeping his word to Lucy (whose lies he cannot see), and honorably holding to his engagement even at the cost of sacrificing his inheritance.

Elinor and Edward, Suffering and Godly Character

Various biblical images could describe Elinor on her path of exertion to do her biblical duty, moment by moment. She is going through the narrow gate that leads to life, resisting her culture and its values, rather than choosing the wide gate that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). She is like seed falling to the ground and dying in order to bear fruit (John 12:24), sacrificing her desires in order to do what’s right. She shares in the sufferings and rejection of Christ (Rom. 8:17, Heb. 12:12), as even her mother and sister fail to understand her pain. When Elinor hears that Edward is married, it feels like a crucifixion to her. Lucy tortures her, metaphorically weaving a crown of thorns for her.

The same images could describe Edward’s sufferings. Both Edward and Elinor travel “through the wilderness” (Exodus)—being obedient to what is right, but wandering, without real hope of the Promised Land. All these images describe the sufferings of faithful Christians choosing the path of doing right rather than following their own desires.

Redemption and Blessing

In the end, of course, Lucy’s true character is revealed when she elopes with Edward’s shallow but rich brother. The truth sets Edward and Elinor free (John 8:32). Edward takes his true role as Elinor’s kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and providing for her. Appropriately, as a clergyman and his wife, Edward and Elinor will serve and bless others through their marriage. They become “one of the happiest couples in the world.”

We have talked as if marriage is redemption for each of these couples, and in financial terms, it is. Marianne and Elinor are cast out of their home at Norland, with a meager portion, a brother who does not do his duty, and not much hope for marriages that will provide them enough to live on comfortably (a “competence” for Marianne and “wealth” for Elinor). Colonel Brandon marries Marianne, and Edward marries Elinor, providing for them and financially “redeeming” them.

But the true redemption is in Marianne’s heart, when her eyes are opened to her failures and she chooses a better path, a godly path.

In some ways, Elinor and Marianne are like sisters in another Bible story, the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is busy with much serving, taking care of the needs of her household and her visitors. She is the practical one, the one like Elinor. Mary, in the Bible, is sitting at Jesus’s feet, she has chosen “the better part.” She’s the one following her feelings, like Marianne Dashwood. But in that story, it is Martha who needs some repentance, not Mary. 

Heaven or Hell

Most characters in Sense and Sensibility get what they want. John and Fanny, and Robert and Lucy, get money and estates. Lucy’s “unceasing attention to self-interest” (her love of money) brings her “every advantage of fortune, with no other sacrifice than that of time and conscience.”  However, they all live with “jealousies and ill-will” and “frequent domestic disagreements.” Ignoring their consciences, they receive a mild version of hell on earth.

Elinor and Marianne, on the other hand, “though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands.” Elinor has her “wealth,” almost £1000 a year, and Marianne has her “competence,” £2000. However, it is much more important that both are married to men they love and respect, men who also love and respect them. These are biblical standards of happiness in marriage (Eph. 5). Following their consciences, they have received an earthly version of heaven.

Are you surprised at the depths of this novel? Do you see other biblical parallels in Sense and Sensibility or other Jane Austen novels? I’d love for you to share them with me in the comments!

With grateful acknowledgment to the amazing Christianity and Literature group of Intown Community Church in Atlanta, GA. for sharing their ideas and insights .

For Part 1, focusing on Marianne and Willoughby, see Sense and Sensibility and the Bible, Part 1.

More Thoughts on Sense and Sensibility

Rules of Engagement: Honor and Shame in Sense and Sensibility

Marianne Dashwood’s Repentance, Willoughby’s “Repentance,” and The Book of Common Prayer (article)

Marianne Dashwood’s Repentance (blog post)

Faith Words in Sense and Sensibility: A Story of Selfishness and Self-Denial (article)

Jane Austen Faith Word: Exertion and Elinor Dashwood (blog post)

A Change of Heart

Sense and Sensibility and the Church: Part 1, Becoming a Clergyman (follow links at end to Parts 2-4 on Getting a Church Living, Livings for Sale, and The Clergyman’s Life)