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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—William Cowper:
Like with Shakespeare, Austen includes allusions to the writer William Cowper in order to give readers hints about which characters might be good romantic matches. William Cowper was an English poet who wrote lyrically about the English countryside during the late 18th century. The first time his name comes up is when Mrs. Dashwood gently chastises Marianne for forcing Edward to read Cowper aloud to them, and Marianne makes it clear that any future partner of hers would relish such an experience:
“He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you would give him Cowper.”
“Nay, mama, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!—but we must allow for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke my heart had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility.”
As Elinor is the character with “sense,” she cares less about how her potential husband reads romantic poetry aloud, whereas Marianne—the sensitive and emotional character that she is—wants her future partner to enjoy it the way that she does. In fact, as Elinor makes clear a few chapters later, one of the first topics of conversation Marianne raised with Willoughby after meeting him was his views on Cowper:
“Well Marianne,” said Elinor, as soon as he had left them, “for one morning I think you have done pretty well. You have already ascertained Mr. Willoughby’s opinion in almost every matter of importance. You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott; you are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought.”
Here, Austen shows that Marianne has (seemingly) found the potential partner she was looking for—a man who appreciates the “beauties” of such expressive writing like Cowper’s. Still, it is notable that Willoughby ends up being the wrong match for Marianne after all, and that she ends up with Colonel Brandon, an unexpressive man much like Edward. It is precisely Willoughby’s passionate nature that leads him to impregnate another woman and then flee, abandoning Marianne in the process. From this experience, she learns that it takes time to genuinely ascertain someone’s character, and that being well-matched is not the same as enjoying the same poetry.
Related Themes:
Chapter 10
Explanation and Analysis—East Indies:
While discussing Colonel Brandon’s time in Asia (then called the “East Indies”) with Elinor and Marianne, Willoughby mentions “nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins,” all allusions to words in other languages related to the British Empire:
“That is to say,” cried Marianne contemptuously, “he has told you that in the East Indies the climate is hot, and the mosquitoes are troublesome.”
“He would have told me so, I doubt not, had I made any such enquiries, but they happened to be points on which I had been previously informed.”
“Perhaps,” said Willoughby, “his observations may have extended to the existence of nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins.”
“Nabob” (from the Urdu word “nawab”) was a reference to a person who returned from the East Indies with wealth, “mohr” (from the Persian word “mohur”) signified the gold coin of British India, and “palanquins” (from the Hindi “palki”) referred to an ornately designed wheel-less vehicle carried by others for important people, such as Indian or British political leaders.
Willoughby jokingly says that Colonel Brandon’s observations about his time abroad likely don’t extend beyond “nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins” in order to mock him—these concepts were well-known to even those who had not lived in Asia. Here Austen makes it seem like Willoughby and Marianne are better suited for each other than Colonel Brandon and Marianne are, as they can easily tease Colonel Brandon for being a bore.
That Marianne ultimately ends up with Colonel Brandon is Austen’s way of showing that people’s true characters are sometimes hidden—Willoughby’s passionate nature leads him to betray Marianne, while Brandon’s steady, boring nature is what makes him such a good partner in the end.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—William Cowper:
Like with Shakespeare, Austen includes allusions to the writer William Cowper in order to give readers hints about which characters might be good romantic matches. William Cowper was an English poet who wrote lyrically about the English countryside during the late 18th century. The first time his name comes up is when Mrs. Dashwood gently chastises Marianne for forcing Edward to read Cowper aloud to them, and Marianne makes it clear that any future partner of hers would relish such an experience:
“He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you would give him Cowper.”
“Nay, mama, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!—but we must allow for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke my heart had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility.”
As Elinor is the character with “sense,” she cares less about how her potential husband reads romantic poetry aloud, whereas Marianne—the sensitive and emotional character that she is—wants her future partner to enjoy it the way that she does. In fact, as Elinor makes clear a few chapters later, one of the first topics of conversation Marianne raised with Willoughby after meeting him was his views on Cowper:
“Well Marianne,” said Elinor, as soon as he had left them, “for one morning I think you have done pretty well. You have already ascertained Mr. Willoughby’s opinion in almost every matter of importance. You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott; you are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought.”
Here, Austen shows that Marianne has (seemingly) found the potential partner she was looking for—a man who appreciates the “beauties” of such expressive writing like Cowper’s. Still, it is notable that Willoughby ends up being the wrong match for Marianne after all, and that she ends up with Colonel Brandon, an unexpressive man much like Edward. It is precisely Willoughby’s passionate nature that leads him to impregnate another woman and then flee, abandoning Marianne in the process. From this experience, she learns that it takes time to genuinely ascertain someone’s character, and that being well-matched is not the same as enjoying the same poetry.
Related Themes:
Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis—Shakespeare:
Austen includes a few allusions to the works of William Shakespeare throughout the novel, most of which occur during the time of Marianne and Willoughby’s courtship, in order to communicate their shared love of romantic literature. The first reference comes when Willoughby buys Marianne a horse and names it “Queen Mab”:
“But, Marianne, the horse is still yours, though you cannot use it now. I shall keep it only till you can claim it. When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a more lasting home, Queen Mab shall receive you.”
Queen Mab is a subtle reference to Romeo and Juliet—in the play, Romeo’s friend Mercutio has a well-known monologue in which he discusses the powers of Queen Mab, a beautiful fairy. Though it's not a direct comment on his feelings for Marianne, Willoughby is still alluding to a romantic story, and the innuendo comes across.
Austen also describes a quiet evening in the Dashwood home a few chapters later in which Hamlet comes up:
One evening, Mrs. Dashwood accidentally taking up a volume of Shakespeare, exclaimed, “We have never finished Hamlet, Marianne; our dear Willoughby went away before we could get through it. We will put it by, that when he comes again…
Here again, Willoughby is tied to Shakespeare—Mrs. Dashwood’s description makes it clear that he has been reading (and likely performing) Hamlet to the Dashwoods, underlining his playfulness and emotionality that (seemingly) made him well-suited for Marianne. Of course, in having Willoughby ultimately betray and abandon Marianne, Austen shows that romantic references and actions do not necessarily indicate that someone will make a good long-term partner.
Related Themes:
Chapter 16
Explanation and Analysis—Shakespeare:
Austen includes a few allusions to the works of William Shakespeare throughout the novel, most of which occur during the time of Marianne and Willoughby’s courtship, in order to communicate their shared love of romantic literature. The first reference comes when Willoughby buys Marianne a horse and names it “Queen Mab”:
“But, Marianne, the horse is still yours, though you cannot use it now. I shall keep it only till you can claim it. When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a more lasting home, Queen Mab shall receive you.”
Queen Mab is a subtle reference to Romeo and Juliet—in the play, Romeo’s friend Mercutio has a well-known monologue in which he discusses the powers of Queen Mab, a beautiful fairy. Though it's not a direct comment on his feelings for Marianne, Willoughby is still alluding to a romantic story, and the innuendo comes across.
Austen also describes a quiet evening in the Dashwood home a few chapters later in which Hamlet comes up:
One evening, Mrs. Dashwood accidentally taking up a volume of Shakespeare, exclaimed, “We have never finished Hamlet, Marianne; our dear Willoughby went away before we could get through it. We will put it by, that when he comes again…
Here again, Willoughby is tied to Shakespeare—Mrs. Dashwood’s description makes it clear that he has been reading (and likely performing) Hamlet to the Dashwoods, underlining his playfulness and emotionality that (seemingly) made him well-suited for Marianne. Of course, in having Willoughby ultimately betray and abandon Marianne, Austen shows that romantic references and actions do not necessarily indicate that someone will make a good long-term partner.
Related Themes:
Chapter 33
Explanation and Analysis—Land Enclosure:
While discussing his financial hardship with his half-sisters Elinor and Marianne, John Dashwood alludes to an “inclosure”:
“Your expences both in town and country must certainly be considerable, but your income is a large one.”
“Not so large, I dare say, as many people suppose. I do not mean to complain, however; it is undoubtedly a comfortable one, and I hope will in time be better. The inclosure of Norland Common, now carrying on, is a most serious drain.”
The “inclosure” that John Dashwood is referencing here is an example of the common land enclosures that started to proliferate during the Napoleonic Wars. Because of the economic effects of the war, public land (where small-scale farmers would often bring their animals to graze) was turned into private “enclosures” where farmers had to pay landlords for grazing rights.
The fact that John is complaining about the relatively small amount of money he likely now has to pay for grazing rights (he remains a large landowner with a sizable income) underlines his greed and desire to become wealthier and wealthier while people are genuinely suffering due to the effects of the war. His greed also comes across given that he is complaining about money to his half-sisters, whom he is giving only the bare minimum that they need to survive, after throwing them out of their home that he inherited due to their father’s death. In this way, readers can see how he is constantly strategizing to accumulate as much wealth as possible.
Related Themes:
