Sense and Sensibility is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood who with their mother and younger sister, Margaret, are forced into poverty through the untimely death of their father. Mr. Dashwood was previously married and all of the Dashwood fortune and the estate of Norland, is then bequeathed to John, his son by his first marriage, leaving the Dashwood women practically penniless. Elinor and Marianne are polar opposites where love is concerned. Marianne is the incurable romantic and Elinor is the practical, down-to-earth person.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars and Marianne, for Willoughby. They spend happy moments in the company of these men and hope to be married to them. However, Edward turns out to be engaged to anopther girl, Lucy Steele and Willoughby plans to marry Miss Grey,a rich debutante. Next, Elinor learns of the marriage of Lucy Steele to Mr. Ferrars. Marianne goes through a period of depression and falls seriously ill. Elinor feels miserable to think of her Edward united with a lesser woman.
Marianne renews her enthusiasm for life and starts realizing the worth of Colonel Brandon. Elinor is relieved when Edward reveals the truth to her and then proposes. Marianne marries Colonel Brandon and Elinor marries Edward Ferrars.