The major conflict in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility revolves around the contrasting personalities and approaches to life of the two eldest Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor represents ‘sense,’ characterized by rationality, restraint, and social propriety, while Marianne embodies ‘sensibility,’ marked by emotional expression, impulsiveness, and romantic idealism.
The conflict arises as both sisters navigate love, heartbreak, and societal expectations. Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars but must conceal her feelings due to his engagement to another woman. Marianne, on the other hand, falls passionately for John Willoughby, only to be heartbroken when he abandons her for a wealthier match. The sisters’ differing responses to their romantic disappointments highlight the tension between sense and sensibility.
Ultimately, the novel explores whether it is better to approach life with reason and restraint or with emotion and passion. The resolution of the conflict suggests a balance between the two, as both sisters find happiness by tempering their natural inclinations with the virtues of the other.