Chapter 11 Summary

This chapter discusses the many balls and parties the Dashwoods find themselves attending, and how Marianne revels in the attention that Willoughby gives her. Elinor, on the other hand, is unhappy because she finds herself with no one to talk to, since Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings are fairly boring. She does find that Colonel Brandon is a pleasant companion, although she pities him because he is fixated on Marianne. In a revealing discussion at the end of the chapter Brandon asks Elinor whether she thinks Marianne would consider him even while she is pursuing a romance with Willoughby. Elinor replies that this will not be possible, and Brandon reveals that he had an unhappy love affair with a woman just like Marianne at some time in his past.

Chapter 11 Analysis

In this chapter Austen discusses how eighteenth century society revolves around socializing...