Sense And Sensibility-Chapter 1,2, 3 Summaries

This very first chapter introduces us to the Dashwood family in their estate at Norland Park, Sussex. Mr Hemry Dashwood came into the house as the legal inheritor of the Norland estate. Before he died, he has written a will but not everybody seems to accept it. He hopes that his son, John Dashwood for the first marriage will keep his promise, that is, to take care of his stepmother and sisters. Later, when Mr Henry Dashwood dies, Mrs John Dashwood (Fanny) moves into her new house without giving early notice to her step mother.

Mrs John Dashwood declares herself mistress of Norland and treats her sisters-in-law very insensitively because she wants them to leave. She does not want them to be a financial burden to her or her husband. She is also very materialistic when she tries to keep as much as she can from the inheritance.

Mrs Dashwood and her children are still living in Norland Estate because they are not able to find a suitable or comfortable place elsewhere. Mrs Dashwood hopes that her stepson will provide them with financial support. In the meantime, Fanny's brother pays the family a visit. His charming manners attract Elinor. Mrs.Dashwood is happy for her daughter and hopes for a match between them. However, from the way he reads and his interest in music, Marianne is not impresses by Edward Ferrars, as he does not fit the image of a dashing young man, which is her personal idea of a worthy suitor.