For week eleven in Scribbled Lives were we asked, “What are you listening to?” I told my husband the prompt and he instantly burst out laughing. “You know your answer to that one, right?” Of course I did. I am a HUGE fan of movie soundtracks. They usually have few words and evoke such compelling emotions without requiring a great deal of mental commitment. My favorite soundtrack, and movie to listen to while I’m in the studio is Sense and Sensibility, the 1995 adaptation by Emma Thompson of Jane Austen’s masterpiece. I must have watched it hundreds of times. I can hear it without having to pay attention, then can look up and watch when my favorite lines or scenes are on the screen. To illustrate that I did a movie montage of my favorite lines or words, putting them on the page as if Eleanor or Marianne might have written them. This isn’t exactly how I had it in my mind, but I can live with it. And yes, I watched the movie twice while creating it!
I delved deeper into the title words – Sense. The side of us that is rational, logical, practical. In the story that is Eleanor. She is the responsible one in her family. She pays the bills, handles the servants, manages the household and arranges everything. Not only is she the oldest daughter, she is unmarried and as the story begins, is beyond the age when anyone might expect her to marry. She has embraced her lot in life – their small impoverished income, the necessity to live in her mother’s cousin’s estate cottage, “With pokey halls, a leaky roof and a fire that smokes”. Her Father has died, and four women must now fend for themselves. Eleanor bears the responsibility of it all. Why? “Because houses pass from father to son not from father to daughter.” So there ya’ go. Sense kicks in and makes sure everything goes as planned.
What about Sensibility? The side of us that is emotional, passionate, lead by the heart. In the story that is Marianne. She is young, impetuous, passionate and driven by waves of creativity, musical ability and anywhere the day may lead. She brings joy, life and creativity to the family home. Her laughter, passion for reading and lack of responsibility for anything she does actually helps the family endure their lot in life. “What could be more glorious than to die for love?” She tells her mother as they discuss a handsome neighbor Marianne has just met. She sees the bright and sunny side of it all…even if their lack of money does impede her desires to know more of the world. Her head is full of books, Shakespeare, and she often quotes Sonnet 116 to express her newly found love for Willoughby. Yep, you can guess where that one is headed – sensibility kicks in and a mess ensues.
The author of all this beauty, Jane Austen, was a Minister’s daughter who never married. Legend says she was actually engaged for one night, then he called it off to build a career in government which wold not allow him to marry a penniless Minister’s daughter. How she wrote the indelibly, impactful and life affirming books she wrote is absolutely incredible. Sense and Sensibility, a novel that illustrates the marriage of our rational and creative sides handling a meager life with rhythm, passion and love. Isn’t that the challenge we all face, everyday? How to manage the day to day while engaging our creative side without losing sight of our circumstances? How to grow beyond who our bank balance tells us we can be and release the inner, passionate person deep in our soul.
Sense and Sensibility – read it, watch it, enjoy it. I know I do at least multiple times a month. Thank you Jane Austen for penning a story that has transcended time and place. One that allows us to face our lives with courage and creativity while watching the Dashwood girls navigate our same challenges in another place and time. Let me encourage you to listen to your own Sense and Sensibility and live life using both sides of your self.
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