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Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen · 1811

Jane Austen's first published novel, following the Dashwood sisters through love, marriage and money.

Austen's first published novel, written entirely by her.

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What it is

A novel written by Jane Austen, first published in 1811. It is her first published work of fiction.

Why it matters

The novel explores themes of marriage and economic security, issues that shaped the lives of women like Austen in her time. It shows her skill at observing social manners and the pressures facing women without fortunes of their own.

Look closer

  • What does the opening chapter tell you about how property and inheritance worked at the time?
  • Why might Austen have chosen to write about a family's financial troubles?
  • What does the story leave unsaid about the choices available to women?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jane Austen on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Scan of the title page of the first edition, volume one, of Pride and Prejudice: A Novel, in three volumes, by the author of Sense and Sensibility. London, printed for T. Egerton, Military Library, Whitehall, 1813.Book

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Title page of the first edition of Emma, Vol. I. Text reads: EMMA: A NOVEL. IN THREE VOLUMES. BY THE AUTHOR OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, &c. &c. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR JOHN MURRAY, 1816. Cream-colored paper with black serif type.Book

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Jane Austen · 1815

Title page of the 1818 first edition of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, printed in London by John Murray, Albemarle-Street. Text reads: Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion. By the author of Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield-Park, &c. With a biographical notice of the author. In four volumes. Vol. I.Book

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Jane Austen · 1817 (title page dated 1818)

Title page of the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, a novel in three volumes, by a Lady, Vol. I, London, printed for the author and published by T. Egerton, Whitehall, 1811.Book

Primary source

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen · 1811

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