Jane Austen has managed to continue to gain new fans to her literature daily. She has several websites dedicated to her as a writer which may help you in the future. I will list them at the end of my piece. When one looks at sense and self-restraint one needs to look at words and how they were defied during the period in England in which the book takes place.
Some of the rules of the era:
Benevolence should radiate outward. It made sense to be benevolent but benevolence in relations to sensibility would have meant each person in need should have accepted another's benevolence. The environment and situation the mother and girls were placed in could have been one of greater benevolence by Mr. Dashwood, but his sensibility made him limit his funded donations and provision of housing to the women.
Delicacy was a trait a girl who had good sense would have to demonstrate at all times. Several types existed for females, "delicacy of constitution" and "delicacy of mind," "heart," or "soul." All were restrictive and suffocating for women. In terms of sensibility, Marianne was the delicate sister. Elinor demonstrated sensibility as she was more outspoken in the things she did not like.
Education can increase a person's sensibility by giving him/her more insight to experiences.
"Sensibility refined by a proper education can lead to moral excellence."
Self-restraint was a necessary part of the process of mating, marrying, and making any decision that was not in proper alignment of the social definitions and rules of the era.
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