One of my favorite fictional characters is Elinor Dashwood from Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility. She is strong and sensible but also kind. In the beginning of the novel, Elinor’s father dies and she takes responsibility for the care of her Mother and her two younger sisters. One of the most inspiring things about Elinor is her emotional strength. Even in difficult situations she is able to control her feelings. This trait makes other characters occasionally accuse her of being cold hearted. The way that she endures this criticism without striking back is a real testament to her inner strength.
Elinor presents an ideal to aspire to, but she is still approachable. She is human and makes mistakes, but her heart is always in the right place and she uses her strength to achieve good things.
If you’ve read Sense and Sensibility, I’d love to get your thoughts about Elinor (or any of the other characters). If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it.
-Carol Lynn
