The novel is full of secrets: the secret engagements, the secret loves. When these secrets are revealed, various people are hurt.

In Sense and Sensibility secrets are used to establish internal and external conflict as well as create dramatic and situational irony. create situations of dramatic irony, and contribute to plot development. Indeed, these secrets cause emotional turmoil for different character. Take for example how the secret of Edward Ferrars’ and Lucy Steele’s engagement leads to external conflict between Edward and his family. Edward is disowned by his mother, brother, and sister for being secretly engaged with Lucy and refusing to break the engagement . This secret also creates strife for Elinor Dashwood. At the beginning of the novel, she only has sense and is not considered sensible. However, when Lucy Steele reveals the secret engagement to Elinor, her sense begins to struggle with the sensibility that she has not yet expressed.