Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen follows Elinor Dashwood, who is all rational sense. Marianne Dashwood is all emotional sensibility. The two sisters couldn’t be more different, especially when it comes to love.

After the death of their father, the Dashwood sisters—Elinor, Marianne and Margaret—move with their mother to a modest cottage, supported by family friends. At the cottage, Elinor and Marianne meet their suitors—Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby—each with a layered past. While navigating the trials of Regency society, Elinor and Marianne must decide whether it is right to lead with “sense” or “sensibility” in romance.

Part of the reason why I love this novel so much is because, at its heart, Sense and Sensibility is a sister’s tale. Despite Elinor and Marianne’s contrasting personalities, the story revolves around the bond between them, which transcends financial hardship and heartbreak. When the sisters are at their lowest, they turn to each other for support and guidance.

But although their relationship is incredibly important to both sisters, Elinor and Marianne hide important aspects of their lives from each other. They disagree about how to act in society and hold differing views concerning romantic relationships. Their conflict and disagreements make their story seem so relevant, even for a 21st-century audience.

While reading Sense and Sensibility, I thought deeply about my relationship with my younger sister. I think sometimes it can be easy to dismiss younger siblings’ viewpoints, since they don’t have as much life experience. But although Elinor is older, she needs some of Marianne’s sensibility just as much as Marianne needs some sense. 

Ultimately, Sense and Sensibility is an example of the powerful relationship between sisters, and a reminder to me that I have a lot more to learn from my sister than I think.