In 1795, a young Jane Austen sat down to write a novel-in-letters about two young girls. She called it “Elinor and Marianne,” after the two sisters for whom it followed. It wasn’t until 1811, after a title change and some serious revisions, that Austen published the novel anonymously, as was the trend for female writers of the time.
After her death in 1817, that the anonymity was dissolved. Austen’s brother Henry published two of her other novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, revealing her to be the author of the previously anonymous works.
Now, 210 years later, we continue to enjoy the wit and humor of Austen’s beloved novels in both the original form and its film and stage adaptations. The best part of any Austen novel, though, is the writing. So, let’s take a look at some lovely quotes from Sense and Sensibility to celebrate its anniversary.
“If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience– or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“I will be calm, and I will be mistress of myself.”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“If a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“Elinore went to her room ‘where she was free to think and be wretched.'”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
“She knew that Marianne and her mother conjectured one moment, they believed the next: that with them, to wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect.”
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibilty