Sense and Sensibility book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Chapters 1 to 22

1. What does Fanny's success in reducing her husband's promise suggest about the strength of family obligation?
2. How much weight should kindness carry in choosing a partner, given Marianne's doubts about Elinor's attachment?
3. How do Elinor's spending limits and Marianne's mourning express different responses to losing their home?
4. What might Marianne's enjoyment of Willoughby's constant attention lead readers to expect from their attachment?
5. What might Elinor gain or lose by concealing her shock at Lucy's revelation?

Meeting 2: Chapters 23 to 36

6. How fair is Lucy's request that Elinor help secure Edward a church income?
7. What might explain Elinor's choice to accompany Marianne to London despite her own doubts?
8. How should Elinor balance protecting Marianne from public distress with Marianne's wish for an explanation?
9. What does the failure of Mrs. Jennings's food and company suggest about the limits of practical comfort?
10. How should readers judge John's claims of financial hardship when he measures kindness by money?

Meeting 3: Chapters 37 to 50

11. When an engagement brings financial loss, what should matter most in deciding whether to keep the promise?
12. How might learning about Elinor's concealed suffering change Marianne's understanding of restraint?
13. What does Mrs. Jennings's mistake about Colonel Brandon's kindness suggest about how people interpret generosity?
14. How would you distinguish healthy self-reflection from excessive self-blame in Marianne's resolve to change?
15. How does attention to money and family reconciliation shape your view of Edward and Elinor's decision to marry?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.