Whatever we may think, which is only personal opinion (as mine is here) , the story belongs to Jane Austen, so we have to accept her take on it.
Sense and sensibility originally written as "
A Lady", a somewhat unimaginitive title, was, in comparison to her second work,
Pride and Prejudice, a somewhat pale and meandering tale that didn't really live up to its interesting beginning. A first novel may have taught Jane Austen a few valuable lessons that she applied in her second work, such as the value of strong characters operating outside the lovers, ie Mr and Mrs Bennet, Mr Collins, Wickham and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. No one in
Sense and Sensibility comes near them for inspiring feelings of nonesense, humour and sheer character portrayal.
Emma and
Persuasion both had content that also inspired stronger impressions on the reader, and plots that were simple, feasible, in some cases almost mundane and yet interesting whilst not relying on proven formula for overdone drama. A point worth mentioning is that neither Marriane Dashwood, Elizabeth Bennet or Emma Woodhouse were overtly nice people in part at the onset. Anne Elliot on the other hand, inspired me with just the opposite (if possibly a little saintly) feeling, as did Elinor Dashwood.
Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars didn't inspire me either as strong people so much as mild and safe types dropped in to execute a happy ending. Willoughby also appeared a little mundane and indecisive compared to George Wickham. Marriane Dashwood just appeared as a victim of youth and all that goes with it and Willoughby fitted her imagination to the exclusion of all others so another Sir Galahad could hardly ride in and take over..
Brandon she probably felt part father figure for initially and she needed some time to let her own personality grow and mature. Brandon was also ideal as the rich husband every mother wanted for her daughter. Mrs Bennet would have had him married in a fortnight. (-:
