The plot of Sense and Sensibility is set around the turn of the 19th century, when the rational Enlightenment thinking that dominated British 18th-century culture (detailed in Immanuel Kant's What is Englightenment?) found itself in competition with an opposite tendency that idealized rugged nature, sentimentality, and spontaneity. Austen dramatizes these opposing traits in her novel, principally in the sister protagonists but also in the minor characters.

The Enlightenment's prioritization of reason over emotion and empirical study over spontaneous action or displays of feeling are evident in Elinor’s character and behavior. Like an Enlightenment-era scientist or empirical philosopher (such as John Locke or David Hume), Elinor closely observes the new people in her life before judging their character and entrusting them with her feelings. While this makes her cautious in love, it also endows her with a deep wisdom and generosity, as she does not take people at face value or let herself be dictated to by stereotypes.

In contrast, Marianne openly rejects any attempts to modify her feelings, viewing this as the corrupting force of society on the individual. She aligns herself with the ideas of the Swiss philosopher

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