The protagonists of the novel Sense and Sensibilityby the Victorian English writer Jane Austen, are two young sisters: the older, Elinor, and the younger, Marianne. Both very delicate and affectionate. The first, balanced and prudent. The second, excessively passionate. In their precarious situation of impoverishment, after the widowing of their mother, they have to face several difficult situations and relationships.
In fact, the theme of this story - which, with other variations, reappears as a central theme in the rest of the works of this great fiction author - is how to combine two decisive attitudes in life: on the one hand, sense, which implies good sense, reflection, intelligence, considered judgment; on the other hand, sensitivity, which means powerful and ordered emotionality, a heart that knows how to love truly and unselfishly.
– Supernatural synthesis of both is wisdom and the order of affectionsthat make up a mature and beautiful personality. It is the balance with which reason guides passion, the right restraint of impulsiveness, the control and channeling of affectivity, the caution in the actions that can damage the commitments, so that they achieve their purpose of building a healthy, beautiful and fruitful interpersonal communion.
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The direction of reason does not imply, in any way, emptying or annulling affectivity, but channeling it in a just way, in conformity with the dignity of persons. The development of character presupposes forge a strong will, persevering, firm in what is good; acquiring clairvoyance, accompanied by reflection, discernment and advice in order to make the right decisions; obtaining, in addition, self-control in order to free oneself from the obstinacy of intemperate selfishness. Sensitivity, on the other hand, illuminates with its charm and colorfulness the whole of life, endowing it with illusion and brightness, affection and vibration. It is, therefore, about loving in a just and realistic way, but, at the same time, intensely and passionately.
Passions and desires are not in themselves harmful, even in our condition of wounded nature. They constitute the very energy that motivates human action. Virtue - cultivated through a profound educational process, with good teachers and environments for growth, and with the help of divine grace - does not in any way suppress the passions, which are its proper matter, but rather orders them to comply with the prescriptions of prudence in order to contribute to the good. Virtue is the concordance of the sensitive appetite with reason, which reinforces one's own identity.
Virtues such as fidelity, patience, cordiality, kindness, joy, discretion, compassion, humility, magnanimity, eagerness to serve, availability, generosity or perseverance, constitute valuable stable qualities that make the subject freer and more apt for the art of coexistence, more conscious and lucid, more prepared to perform noble acts, of human quality. They are ethical skills of the person in order to undertake excellent actions. They shape balanced, confident, capable personalities; they confer naturalness, ease and taste to orient oneself towards the best, even if it is difficult; they model spontaneity, integrating the various qualities towards what is adequate in concrete life; they lead towards perfection in the gift of self. Moreover, the Holy Spirit influences these same dynamisms and, with his gifts, transforms the mind and will of the believer, configuring him to the heart of Christ.
The older sister, Elinor, manifests this inner maturity, which combines sanity and cordiality, rectitude and tenderness. She knows how to sensibly keep the forms or social conventions, limited but necessary as a channel to preserve intimacy and avoid unpleasant surprises, misunderstandings and deceptions, which lead to the use and degradation of people. She does not let herself be carried away, like her younger sister Marianne, by a naive and nefarious rupturist emotivism, which sacrifices everything to the fiery impetus of the eros unhinged. In the end, Elinor demonstrates that she possesses a wise and prudent heart, which loves intensely and in a timely and appropriate manner. For only the person who has acquired a proper harmony between reason and passion is truly free to love and is inwardly prepared for the spousal vocation.
