feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/cliffnotes/Sense and Sensibility/section_6_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 9
feat_summary_id: chapter 9
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter 9", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20201101060302/https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/s/sense-and-sensibility/summary-and-analysis/chapter-9", "summary": "The Dashwoods soon settled at Barton \"with tolerable comfort to themselves.\" The lack of a carriage prevented them from visiting the neighborhood families, but the girls enjoyed many walks in the beautiful countryside. They were particularly fond of the valley of Allenham, where there was an old mansion which reminded them of their former home. It was owned by \"an elderly lady of very good character . . . unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world.\" One day Marianne and Margaret were caught in a downpour. Running downhill, Marianne stumbled and fell; however, a young gentleman going uphill picked her up, carried her home, \"and quitted not his hold till he had seated her in a chair in the parlour.\" Mrs. Dashwood was greatly impressed by the young man's \"youth, beauty and elegance.\" She learned that his name was Willoughby \"and that his present home was at Allenham, from whence he hoped she would allow him the honour of calling tomorrow to inquire after Miss Dashwood.\" After he had taken his leave, Marianne joined with her mother and Elinor in admiring Willoughby's \"manly beauty and more than common gracefulness.\" Marianne believed that his \"person and air were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a favourite story. . . . Every circumstance belonging to him was interesting.\" When Sir John called the next day, the ladies discovered from him that \"Mr. Willoughby had no property of his own in the country; that he resided there only while he was visiting the old lady at Allenham Court, to whom he was related, and whose possessions he was to inherit.\" In his usual hearty manner, Sir John began to tease Marianne about her rescuer: \"I see how it will be. You will be setting your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon.\" Marianne reproved him warmly for using such expressions. Sir John, not understanding, only laughed and continued his bantering.", "analysis": "Willoughby seems to answer all of Marianne's romantic notions. He is handsome, gallant, and is to inherit a lovely estate that reminds the girls of their own Norland Park. He is indefatigable in his exuberance, able to dance from eight until four \"without once sitting down.\" The way in which they meet is out of a chivalric romance -- he rescues her from danger and goes out again to brave it alone. Notice that although Marianne is highly critical, her criticism is aimed at those whose sensibilities do not accord with hers. We will see, in Marianne's later attitude towards Willoughby, how incapable she is of any real objectivity. Sir John, like Mrs. Jennings, represents a good-natured but crude individual. Although he means no harm, his insensitivity to other people often causes pain. In this chapter, his humor is aimed at Marianne, who reproves him warmly for his crassness. But crude as they are, many of his observations have an aura of unpleasant truth which we cannot ignore as the novel progresses."}
text: 
  
  The Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with tolerable comfort to
  themselves.  The house and the garden, with all the objects surrounding
  them, were now become familiar, and the ordinary pursuits which had
  given to Norland half its charms were engaged in again with far greater
  enjoyment than Norland had been able to afford, since the loss of their
  father.  Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for the first
  fortnight, and who was not in the habit of seeing much occupation at
  home, could not conceal his amazement on finding them always employed.
  
  Their visitors, except those from Barton Park, were not many; for, in
  spite of Sir John's urgent entreaties that they would mix more in the
  neighbourhood, and repeated assurances of his carriage being always at
  their service, the independence of Mrs. Dashwood's spirit overcame the
  wish of society for her children; and she was resolute in declining to
  visit any family beyond the distance of a walk.  There were but few who
  could be so classed; and it was not all of them that were attainable.
  About a mile and a half from the cottage, along the narrow winding
  valley of Allenham, which issued from that of Barton, as formerly
  described, the girls had, in one of their earliest walks, discovered an
  ancient respectable looking mansion which, by reminding them a little
  of Norland, interested their imagination and made them wish to be
  better acquainted with it.  But they learnt, on enquiry, that its
  possessor, an elderly lady of very good character, was unfortunately
  too infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.
  
  The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks.  The high
  downs which invited them from almost every window of the cottage to
  seek the exquisite enjoyment of air on their summits, were a happy
  alternative when the dirt of the valleys beneath shut up their superior
  beauties; and towards one of these hills did Marianne and Margaret one
  memorable morning direct their steps, attracted by the partial sunshine
  of a showery sky, and unable longer to bear the confinement which the
  settled rain of the two preceding days had occasioned.  The weather was
  not tempting enough to draw the two others from their pencil and their
  book, in spite of Marianne's declaration that the day would be
  lastingly fair, and that every threatening cloud would be drawn off
  from their hills; and the two girls set off together.
  
  They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their own penetration at
  every glimpse of blue sky; and when they caught in their faces the
  animating gales of a high south-westerly wind, they pitied the fears
  which had prevented their mother and Elinor from sharing such
  delightful sensations.
  
  "Is there a felicity in the world," said Marianne, "superior to
  this?--Margaret, we will walk here at least two hours."
  
  Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind, resisting
  it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer, when suddenly
  the clouds united over their heads, and a driving rain set full in
  their face.-- Chagrined and surprised, they were obliged, though
  unwillingly, to turn back, for no shelter was nearer than their own
  house.  One consolation however remained for them, to which the
  exigence of the moment gave more than usual propriety; it was that of
  running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which
  led immediately to their garden gate.
  
  They set off.  Marianne had at first the advantage, but a false step
  brought her suddenly to the ground; and Margaret, unable to stop
  herself to assist her, was involuntarily hurried along, and reached the
  bottom in safety.
  
  A gentleman carrying a gun, with two pointers playing round him, was
  passing up the hill and within a few yards of Marianne, when her
  accident happened.  He put down his gun and ran to her assistance.  She
  had raised herself from the ground, but her foot had been twisted in
  her fall, and she was scarcely able to stand.  The gentleman offered
  his services; and perceiving that her modesty declined what her
  situation rendered necessary, took her up in his arms without farther
  delay, and carried her down the hill.  Then passing through the garden,
  the gate of which had been left open by Margaret, he bore her directly
  into the house, whither Margaret was just arrived, and quitted not his
  hold till he had seated her in a chair in the parlour.
  
  Elinor and her mother rose up in amazement at their entrance, and while
  the eyes of both were fixed on him with an evident wonder and a secret
  admiration which equally sprung from his appearance, he apologized for
  his intrusion by relating its cause, in a manner so frank and so
  graceful that his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received
  additional charms from his voice and expression.  Had he been even old,
  ugly, and vulgar, the gratitude and kindness of Mrs. Dashwood would
  have been secured by any act of attention to her child; but the
  influence of youth, beauty, and elegance, gave an interest to the
  action which came home to her feelings.
  
  She thanked him again and again; and, with a sweetness of address which
  always attended her, invited him to be seated.  But this he declined,
  as he was dirty and wet.  Mrs. Dashwood then begged to know to whom she
  was obliged.  His name, he replied, was Willoughby, and his present
  home was at Allenham, from whence he hoped she would allow him the
  honour of calling tomorrow to enquire after Miss Dashwood.  The honour
  was readily granted, and he then departed, to make himself still more
  interesting, in the midst of a heavy rain.
  
  His manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were instantly the
  theme of general admiration, and the laugh which his gallantry raised
  against Marianne received particular spirit from his exterior
  attractions.-- Marianne herself had seen less of his Mama the
  rest, for the confusion which crimsoned over her face, on his lifting
  her up, had robbed her of the power of regarding him after their
  entering the house.  But she had seen enough of him to join in all the
  admiration of the others, and with an energy which always adorned her
  praise.  His person and air were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn
  for the hero of a favourite story; and in his carrying her into the
  house with so little previous formality, there was a rapidity of
  thought which particularly recommended the action to her.  Every
  circumstance belonging to him was interesting.  His name was good, his
  residence was in their favourite village, and she soon found out that
  of all manly dresses a shooting-jacket was the most becoming.  Her
  imagination was busy, her reflections were pleasant, and the pain of a
  sprained ankle was disregarded.
  
  Sir John called on them as soon as the next interval of fair weather
  that morning allowed him to get out of doors; and Marianne's accident
  being related to him, he was eagerly asked whether he knew any
  gentleman of the name of Willoughby at Allenham.
  
  "Willoughby!" cried Sir John; "what, is HE in the country? That is good
  news however; I will ride over tomorrow, and ask him to dinner on
  Thursday."
  
  "You know him then," said Mrs. Dashwood.
  
  "Know him! to be sure I do.  Why, he is down here every year."
  
  "And what sort of a young man is he?"
  
  "As good a kind of fellow as ever lived, I assure you.  A very decent
  shot, and there is not a bolder rider in England."
  
  "And is that all you can say for him?" cried Marianne, indignantly.
  "But what are his manners on more intimate acquaintance? What his
  pursuits, his talents, and genius?"
  
  Sir John was rather puzzled.
  
  "Upon my soul," said he, "I do not know much about him as to all THAT.
  But he is a pleasant, good humoured fellow, and has got the nicest
  little black bitch of a pointer I ever saw.  Was she out with him
  today?"
  
  But Marianne could no more satisfy him as to the colour of Mr.
  Willoughby's pointer, than he could describe to her the shades of his
  mind.
  
  "But who is he?" said Elinor.  "Where does he come from?  Has he a
  house at Allenham?"
  
  On this point Sir John could give more certain intelligence; and he
  told them that Mr. Willoughby had no property of his own in the
  country; that he resided there only while he was visiting the old lady
  at Allenham Court, to whom he was related, and whose possessions he was
  to inherit; adding, "Yes, yes, he is very well worth catching I can
  tell you, Miss Dashwood; he has a pretty little estate of his own in
  Somersetshire besides; and if I were you, I would not give him up to my
  younger sister, in spite of all this tumbling down hills.  Miss
  Marianne must not expect to have all the men to herself.  Brandon will
  be jealous, if she does not take care."
  
  "I do not believe," said Mrs. Dashwood, with a good humoured smile,
  "that Mr. Willoughby will be incommoded by the attempts of either of MY
  daughters towards what you call CATCHING him.  It is not an employment
  to which they have been brought up.  Men are very safe with us, let
  them be ever so rich.  I am glad to find, however, from what you say,
  that he is a respectable young man, and one whose acquaintance will not
  be ineligible."
  
  "He is as good a sort of fellow, I believe, as ever lived," repeated
  Sir John.  "I remember last Christmas at a little hop at the park, he
  danced from eight o'clock till four, without once sitting down."
  
  "Did he indeed?" cried Marianne with sparkling eyes, "and with
  elegance, with spirit?"
  
  "Yes; and he was up again at eight to ride to covert."
  
  "That is what I like; that is what a young man ought to be.  Whatever
  be his pursuits, his eagerness in them should know no moderation, and
  leave him no sense of fatigue."
  
  "Aye, aye, I see how it will be," said Sir John, "I see how it will be.
  You will be setting your cap at him now, and never think of poor
  Brandon."
  
  "That is an expression, Sir John," said Marianne, warmly, "which I
  particularly dislike.  I abhor every common-place phrase by which wit
  is intended; and 'setting one's cap at a man,' or 'making a conquest,'
  are the most odious of all.  Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and
  if their construction could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago
  destroyed all its ingenuity."
  
  Sir John did not much understand this reproof; but he laughed as
  heartily as if he did, and then replied,
  
  "Ay, you will make conquests enough, I dare say, one way or other.
  Poor Brandon! he is quite smitten already, and he is very well worth
  setting your cap at, I can tell you, in spite of all this tumbling
  about and spraining of ankles."
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter 9
target: The Dashwoods soon settled at Barton "with tolerable comfort to themselves." The lack of a carriage prevented them from visiting the neighborhood families, but the girls enjoyed many walks in the beautiful countryside. They were particularly fond of the valley of Allenham, where there was an old mansion which reminded them of their former home. It was owned by "an elderly lady of very good character . . . unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world." One day Marianne and Margaret were caught in a downpour. Running downhill, Marianne stumbled and fell; however, a young gentleman going uphill picked her up, carried her home, "and quitted not his hold till he had seated her in a chair in the parlour." Mrs. Dashwood was greatly impressed by the young man's "youth, beauty and elegance." She learned that his name was Willoughby "and that his present home was at Allenham, from whence he hoped she would allow him the honour of calling tomorrow to inquire after Miss Dashwood." After he had taken his leave, Marianne joined with her mother and Elinor in admiring Willoughby's "manly beauty and more than common gracefulness." Marianne believed that his "person and air were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a favourite story. . . . Every circumstance belonging to him was interesting." When Sir John called the next day, the ladies discovered from him that "Mr. Willoughby had no property of his own in the country; that he resided there only while he was visiting the old lady at Allenham Court, to whom he was related, and whose possessions he was to inherit." In his usual hearty manner, Sir John began to tease Marianne about her rescuer: "I see how it will be. You will be setting your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon." Marianne reproved him warmly for using such expressions. Sir John, not understanding, only laughed and continued his bantering.
feat_summary_analysis: Willoughby seems to answer all of Marianne's romantic notions. He is handsome, gallant, and is to inherit a lovely estate that reminds the girls of their own Norland Park. He is indefatigable in his exuberance, able to dance from eight until four "without once sitting down." The way in which they meet is out of a chivalric romance -- he rescues her from danger and goes out again to brave it alone. Notice that although Marianne is highly critical, her criticism is aimed at those whose sensibilities do not accord with hers. We will see, in Marianne's later attitude towards Willoughby, how incapable she is of any real objectivity. Sir John, like Mrs. Jennings, represents a good-natured but crude individual. Although he means no harm, his insensitivity to other people often causes pain. In this chapter, his humor is aimed at Marianne, who reproves him warmly for his crassness. But crude as they are, many of his observations have an aura of unpleasant truth which we cannot ignore as the novel progresses.