Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility

by

Jane Austen

Eliza (Older) Character Analysis

A woman who was in love with Colonel Brandon, but was married against her will to Brandon’s brother. She and Brandon tried to elope but were caught. Unhappy in her marriage, her life took a downward turn while Brandon served in the army abroad. She was seduced by numerous men, divorced Brandon’s brother, and ended up confined to a house because of debt. Brandon finds her there dying of consumption and promises to take care of her illegitimate daughter, also named Eliza.
Get the entire Sense and Sensibility LitChart as a printable PDF.
Sense and Sensibility PDF

Eliza (Older) Character Timeline in Sense and Sensibility

The timeline below shows where the character Eliza (Older) appears in Sense and Sensibility. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 31
Love and Marriage Theme Icon
...Barton Park. He said that Marianne reminded him very much of someone he knew named Eliza, who had “the same warmth of heart, the same eagerness of fancy and spirits.” Eliza... (full context)
Women in Society Theme Icon
Brandon and Eliza tried to elope, but were caught. Eliza “resigned herself at first to all the misery... (full context)
Character, Sense, and Sensibility Theme Icon
Brandon was clearly pained as he told this story, but continued on. Eliza had a daughter, also named Eliza, whom she entrusted to Brandon. Brandon looked out for... (full context)
Character, Sense, and Sensibility Theme Icon
...he had been worried that Willoughby was using Marianne as he had used the younger Eliza. He had seen Willoughby recently, and challenged him to a duel, but both “returned unwounded.”... (full context)