Sense and Sensibility The Home Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Nothing could be more expressive of attachment to them all, than Willoughby's behaviour. To Marianne it had all the distinguishing tenderness which a lover's heart could give, and to the rest of the family it was the affectionate attention of a son and a brother. The cottage seemed to be considered and loved by him as his home; many more of his hours were spent there than at Allenham; and if no general engagement collected them at the park, the exercise which called him out in the morning was almost certain of ending there, where the rest of the day was spent by himself at the side of Marianne, and by his favourite pointer at her feet. (14.5)

This description of Willoughby does seem to suggest that home is indeed where the heart is – he gives all evidence of wanting to settle in with the Dashwoods, rather than be alone at his own house (or rather, future house), Allenham.

Quote #5

"There certainly are circumstances," said Willoughby, "which might greatly endear it to me; but this place will always have one claim on my affection, which no other can possibly share." (14.7)

In this declaration, Willoughby asserts the fact that Barton Cottage, for all its flaws, is more homelike to him than his own houses at Allenham and Combe Magna because of one thing – presumably Marianne. Is it love, then, that makes a house a home?

Quote #6

Against the interest of her own individual comfort, Mrs. Dashwood had determined that it would be better for Marianne to be anywhere at that time, than at Barton, where everything within her view would be bringing back the past in the strongest and most afflicting manner, by constantly placing Willoughby before her, such as she had always seen him there. (32.3)

Here, we see that home is not always a safe place – in fact, sometimes the things we used to find comforting can be the most painful.