Sense and Sensibility Chapter 39 Summary

Summary

The Miss Dashwoods have been in town for over two months and Marianne grows increasingly impatient to return to Barton and the country. Elinor shares her wish but more cautiously, aware of the difficulties of travel; she consults their hostess and accepts an invitation to go with Mrs. Jennings and the Palmers to Cleveland for Easter, a plan that will allow a fairly short onward journey to Barton. Marianne resists at first because Cleveland lies in Somersetshire, a place she does not wish to visit, but Elinor persuades her by pointing out that it will actually shorten the time before they reach their mother and that the arrangement is agreeable to Mrs. Jennings and their mother’s servant can meet them there.

While plans are being settled, Mrs. Jennings notices an intimate conversation between Elinor and Colonel Brandon by the window and misinterprets it as a courtship; she overhears only a few phrases and concludes that the Colonel is proposing. In reality, Brandon is speaking of Mr. Ferrars’ recent family difficulties and, out of compassion and regard for Elinor, tells her he has been advised that the small living of Delaford is vacant and that he will present it to Mr. Ferrars if he is disposed to take orders. Elinor is astonished and grateful: the preferment makes Edward Ferrars’ prospects much more hopeful than she recently believed. Brandon, however, is frank about the living’s limited income and doubts that it can enable an early marriage for Edward. Elinor agrees to communicate the offer to Edward and expresses warm thanks to Brandon for his kindness.

Key events

1. Marianne and Elinor decide to accept an invitation to Cleveland with the Palmers for Easter.
2. Marianne resists visiting Somersetshire but is persuaded by Elinor's practical reasoning.
3. Mrs. Jennings misreads an exchange between Elinor and Colonel Brandon as a proposal.
4. Brandon informs Elinor he can present the small living of Delaford to Mr. Ferrars.
5. Elinor is surprised and grateful and agrees to tell Edward of the offer.
6. Brandon acknowledges the living's limited income and doubts it will enable a prompt marriage.

Analysis

This chapter advances both plot and relationships through a compact domestic scene that combines travel arrangements with important social and moral transactions. The practical decision to go via Cleveland shows Elinor’s responsible, logistical mind and contrasts Marianne’s sentimental impatient temper; it reinforces the sisters’ differing temperaments and priorities—impatience for emotional comfort versus deliberation about means. Mrs. Jennings’ comic misunderstanding functions as a small comic relief and highlights how appearances and partial overhearing shape social rumor. More crucially, Colonel Brandon’s confidential offer to present Delaford to Mr. Ferrars deepens his role as a discreet benefactor and ally to Elinor. His act exhibits the novel’s recurrent theme of quiet, principled generosity contrasted with ostentation or self-interest.

Narratively, the chapter compresses exposition and revelation: the living’s availability transforms Edward’s prospects and propels future choices without melodrama. Austen’s technique of reporting overheard fragments (Mrs. Jennings’ misinterpretation) showcases her use of limited omniscience and free indirect discourse—readers see both the reality of Brandon’s benevolence and the comic social misreading. The living itself is symbolic of the limited but real advantages of patronage in this society: significant as a practical relief, yet explicitly inadequate to resolve all relational or financial tensions, foreshadowing further complications about marriage, independence, and obligation.

Important quotes

“I am afraid it cannot take place very soon.”

Colonel BrandonBrandon cautions that the small living at Delaford is unlikely to enable Mr. Ferrars to marry in the immediate future.

“I shall always think myself very much obliged to you.”

ElinorElinor expresses heartfelt gratitude to Colonel Brandon after learning he will present Delaford to Mr. Ferrars.

“Pray assure him of it.”

Colonel BrandonBrandon asks Elinor to tell Mr. Ferrars that the living of Delaford is his, showing his wish to help through her mediation.

Characters in Chapter 39

• The Miss Dashwoods
• Marianne
• Elinor
• Mrs. Jennings
• Mr. Palmer
• the Palmers
• Charlotte
• Colonel Brandon
• Mr. Ferrars
• Mrs. Ferrars
• Edward
• Miss Steele
• their mother