<P> "Sense" means good judgment or prudence, and "sensibility" means sensitivity or emotionality . "Sense" is identified with the character of Elinor, while "sensibility" is identified with the character of Marianne . By changing the title, Austen added "philosophical depth" to what began as a sketch of two characters . </P> <P> Austen biographer Claire Tomalin argues that Sense and Sensibility has a "wobble in its approach", which developed because Austen, in the course of writing the novel, gradually became less certain about whether sense or sensibility should triumph . Austen characterises Marianne as a sweet lady with attractive qualities: intelligence, musical talent, frankness, and the capacity to love deeply . She also acknowledges that Willoughby, with all his faults, continues to love and, in some measure, appreciate Marianne . For these reasons, some readers find Marianne's ultimate marriage to Colonel Brandon an unsatisfactory ending . </P> <P> As quoted by the writers at Create Space "Other interpretations, however, have argued that Austen's intention was not to debate the superior value of either sense or sensibility in good judgment, but rather to demonstrate that both qualities are equally important, but must be in balance ." The novel is an early example of the category romance novel . </P> <P> The American scholar Rachel Brownstein wrote that the novel begins with the Dashwood sisters being disinherited and cast of their homes, and the narrator offers in the account of how this came to be that men would always use women and cast them aside when they are not longer convenient; that one's good character counts for nothing in a society dominated by greed, ingratitude and selfishness; and that one can behave badly yet still remain eminently respectable as one has money . Brownstein said that in a world where men are generally greedy, selfish, dishonest, and generally cold is "...a harsh one for young women". The marriage of John and Fanny Dashwood is portrayed as devoid of love and held together only by greed with Mrs. Dashwood being "more narrow - minded and selfish" than her repulsive husband . Likewise, Sir John and Lady Middleton are described as having a "total want of talent and taste" with Sir John's interests being only hunting while Lady Middleton's being spoiling her children . Lady Middleton condemns the Dashwood sisters for being "satirical" despite the fact as the narrator notes that she does not know what the word satirical actually means . Most of the gentry characters are in varying ways stupid, selfish and malicious with for example Mrs. Palmer breaking out laughing and saying "It is so ridiculous!" when she learns her husband has been elected to the House of Commons, Mrs. Jennings telling painfully unfunny jokes at the expense of Edward Ferrars and Sir John laughing at jokes and remarks that he does not really understand...</P>

Who was the scoundrel in sense and sensibility