Human nature has many facets is undeniable. However, it is debatable whether or not some character traits are superior to others. One such discussion is whether sense invariably triumphs over sensibility. Through her characters Catherine Morland in “Northanger Abbey” and Marianne Dashwood in “Sense and Sensibility,” Jane Austen bravely attempts, and succeeds, to answer this question. Each heroine faces the extraordinary challenge of leaving behind the fantasy worlds of childhood to develop as a rational adult and find "sentience". Austen also designs characters who are purer paradigms of reason and rationality, exposing the innate flaws in both inclinations through opposing characters. The resulting friction demonstrates that sense and sensitivity do not necessarily surpass each other. Rather, their real value comes from their mutual role in maturation. Therefore, neither feature is particularly useful unless influenced by its counterpart. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although both Catherine Morland and Marianne Dashwood are models of Austen sensibility, neither girl bears many similarities to the other. Catherine is a naive country girl with little guidance and no rational concept of human nature. Marianne, however, is not so blameless. His incorrectness is the result of indulging his emotions according to his personal moral code. Whatever their differences, both girls are invariably misled by the influence of love literature. Their ecstatic pleasure in prose and poetry leads them to believe that the real world can be superimposed on the model of a romance novel. The reader sees this in Catherine as she imagines making an exciting discovery while exploring Northanger Abbey. In Marianne's case we are told that "all her opinions are romantic" (62) and that she relies on her instincts to alarm herself of misconduct. As she says, "...if there had been any real impropriety in what I did, I should have been aware of it at the time, for we always know when we are behaving badly, and with such conviction I could have had no pleasure" (72) . As the novels progress, it becomes blatantly obvious that without the introduction of common sense, Catherine's understanding and Marianne's disposition will never be right. Likewise, a complete loss of sensitivity would render them heartless and lacking in compassion, much like the callous characters of Isabella Thorpe or Fanny Dashwood. Together, these ideas suggest that the maturation process is a continuous cycle of sense and sensitivity acting on each other. Therefore, it is through Catherine and Marianne that Austen emphasizes the need for meaning. To project the value of moderate sensitivity, however, use Elinor Dashwood. Elinor is the embodiment of rationality, exactly the opposite of her sister Marianne. While Marianne is governed by her feelings, Elinor is controlled by reason and belief. In many ways Elinor has already acquired the wisdom and discernment of an esteemed elder. To the reader's surprise, however, Elinor's demanding opinions also undergo an emotional evolution. This long metamorphosis transforms her from an unusually sensitive woman into a sympathetic heroine. This change is made evident, for example, when his judgment mistakes the severity of Marianne's late illness, as well as when his estimate of Willoughby dims when he explains his reasons to her in Cleveland. It is also worth noting, however, that neither Elinor nor Marianne embrace their initial feelings towards.