Sense and Sensibility primarily takes place at various country estates (and London) in England in the late 18th century. Though Austen makes no reference to it, the novel is set during the Napoleonic Wars, the period between 1797-1815 when England was at war with France. Austen’s decision not to discuss the war is intentional—she is capturing the experience of (primarily) upper-middle-class landed gentry who did not need to join the military in order to make a living. In many ways, their wealth insulates them from the effects of war.
Though many of the characters are quite comfortable financially, the Dashwood family at the center of the story is struggling to maintain their class position, a struggle that propels much of the plot. Henry Dashwood passes away at the start of the novel, and, because at this time women were not allowed to inherit land or money, Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters—Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret—must rely on extended family to take them in. Because women of their social standing were not supposed to join the workforce at this time in history, the Dashwoods focus much of their attention on finding wealthy men for Elinor and Marianne to marry. This historical context is important—while contemporary romance novels may center love for the sake of love, Austen’s novels inherently focus on the intersections of romance and pragmatic choices women must make for their family’s financial future.
Also at this time in England, most first-born men were the sole inheritors of a family’s estate, requiring the younger sons to make a living and find land of their own. This is the position that Edward is in, and is the reason that Colonel Brandon’s offer to grant him a rectory is so meaningful. With it, he can officially join the clergy and provide for himself and his future family.
