The Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, are central characters in Jane Austen’s novel ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ Elinor is 19 years old, while Marianne is 16 at the start of the story. These ages reflect the societal expectations and limitations placed upon young women in the early 19th century.
Elinor, being the elder sister, exemplifies ‘sense’ with her practicality and rational approach to life, which is a stark contrast to Marianne’s passionate and impulsive nature that represents ‘sensibility.’ Their ages are significant as they navigate romantic relationships and the pressures of social status in a world where marriage plays a pivotal role in a woman’s life.