Sense & Sensibility Directed by Ang Lee

Convention Of The Genre Boy & girl meet & fall in love (love at first sight). Scene From Film Elinor & Edward meet under unexpected circumstances. He comes to stay at her family home & is the brother of her sister-in-law. Their love grows slowly through conversation. Colonel Brandon falls in love with Marianne at first sight when he hears her playing the piano forte. It appears as if his love is unrequited (not returned) as he is not Mariannes romantic ideal. Willoughby & Mariannes attraction is instantaneous when they meet in the ultimate clichd setting a thunderstorm! (Tempest Storm) He is the knight in shining armour who rescues the damsel in distress & carries her home, bringing her flowers the next day. How Film Techniques Convey Meaning Handkerchief motif is introduced when Edward offers Elinor his monogrammed hanky when she is weeping over her deceased father. This simple gesture delineates his ca ring, sensitive & thoughtful nature & positions the audience to view him as a suitable romantic partner for Elinor. A close-up shot of Brandon as he sees Marianne for the first time conveys how instantly mesmerised he is with her. The diegetic song weep ye no more sad Fountain is being sung by Marianne at the time & helps to create a romantic atmosphere for the first time the couple meet. Symbolism: The storm is symbolic of Willoughbys nature. Like the storm, Willoughby is intense, forceful, but ultimately unpredicta ble. Like a storm can take you by surprise so too does Willoughby take Marianne by surprise. Low Camera Angle: Is used when Willoughby rides in on horseback making him appear powerful & strong. Symbolism: The ease with which Willoughby carries Marianne home is symbolic of the ease with which Willoughby gains Mariannes trust & affection. Willoughby only carries Marianne a relatively short distance symbolising his unwillingness to go the distance in his rel ationship with her. Symbolism: Willoughbys wildflowers are symbolic of his wild, passionate & untamed nature. Wildflowers grow anywhere. They are free & difficult to control, like Willoughby. Motif: Sonnet 116 (Let me not to the marriage of true minds a dmit

impediments...) is the link between Willoughby & Marianne & a recurring symbol of their love. Convention Of The Genre An obstacle or difficulty occurs to test the love of the couple. Scene From Film Fanny tells Mrs Dashwood that her mother would disinherit Edward if he did not marry the right woman (i.e. Someone who brought an appropriate dowry). He is later unexpectedly called London by his mother before he can confess his love to Elinor. Marianne is unenthusiastic about being pushed into a courtship with Colonel Brandon & then meets Willoughby which causes her to lose what little interest she may have had in Brandon altogether , whilst still in love with Marianne, realises she may be lost to him. Awwww How Film Techniques Convey Meaning Dialogue: Fanny Dashwoods dialogue to Mrs Dashwood delineates her disapproval of the budding relationship between Elinor & Edward & the fact that there would be family disapproval of such a financially unequal union. Edward is the kind of compassionate person on whom penniless women can prey. It would lead to his ruin. My mother has always made it perfectly plain she would remove all financial aid should he choose t o plant his affections in less exalted ground than he deserves. Motif: The handkerchief motif is used to convey a sense of longing Elinor has for Edward & how difficult she is finding it being separated from him. Dialogue: Mariannes dialogue, I do not know any duets delineates her lack of interest in Brandon as a suitable romantic partnership. She has rejected the idea altogether, much to the disappointment of Brandon. Dialogue: Sir John Middletons dialogue delineates the sad reality of Brandons romantic possibilities with Marianne he has been rejected in favour of dashing Willoughby Poor Brandon youll none of think of him now. Come we know when we are not wanted. Symbolism: Brandons hot house flowers symbolise his civilised, controlled & cultivated nature. Unfortunately, this is not what Marianne desires. Dialogue: Willoughbys dialogue is vague & does not adequately explain why he must depart in such a hurried manner or when he will return. I have no idea of returning immediately into Devonshire... it is folly to linger in such a manner. I will not torment myself.

Before Willoughby can officially propose, he is called to London leaving Marianne distraught. He fails to give a proper explanation for his sudden departure. It appears unlikely he will return in the near future.

Convention Of The Genre Boy & girl break up.

Scene From Film Elinor still has feelings for Edward in spite of the uncertainty of his return from London & the meddling of his disapproving family. This hope is dashed, however, once Lucy Steele confesses that she & Edward have been secretly engaged for 5 years.

How Film Techniques Convey Meaning Dialogue: Lucys dialogue delineates her secret engagement to Edward, much to the shock & dismay of Elinor, who now realises that any chance of she & Edward being together now ceases to exist. (Edward & I have been secretly engaged these past 5 years.) The fact that Lucy believe s Edward thinks of Elinor as a sister is further salt in Elinors wound as she begins to wonder whether Edwards feelings for her were only ever platonic. Motif: The motif of Edwards monogrammed hanky is seen again, this time it stands as a symbol of sadness, disappointment & regret. The fact that it was given to Elinor, but Lucy also has one, makes Elinor aware that Edward was never hers to begin with. Dialogue: Brandons dialogue delineates the fact that he has conceded defeat in terms of his romantic pursuit of Marianne. I will of course be inviting Mr Willoughby to the picnic & Your sister seems very happy conveys his acceptance of the relationship between Marianne & Willoughby even though he disapproves. To your sister I wish every imaginable joy & to Mr Willoughby that he may endeavour to deserve her. Willoughbys dialogue when confronted by Marianne at the ball is extremely formal, hesitant & stilted. (Miss Marianne, yes I received the information you were so good as to send me) At no time does he display the friendly familiarity Marianne expects. Dialogue: Mariannes dialogue delineates the end of her relationship with Willoughby. Never absolutely, but it was everyd ay implied (his declaration of love). This shows that Willoughby had never confessed any feelings for Marianne even though at times it felt as if he did. This in conjunction with his letter apologising for misleading her & announcing his affections have long been planted elsewhere & the returning of Mariannes lock of hair, signal the end of a relationship that was never

Brandon is also forced to step aside & allow Willoughby & Marianne to be together even though he still feels strongly about her & does not feel Willoughby is worthy of her.

Willoughby & Mariannes break up is very public, occurring at a ball when Marianne is shunned by Willoughby & then encounters his fiance, Miss Grey. Denying all feelings for her via a letter the following day, Willoughby breaks Mariannes heart. Mariannes reaction to Willoughbys rejection of her is as passionate & heartfelt as her love for him. She is not able to easily forget her feelings

for him & suffers as a result. Her emotional weakness results in a physical illness that almost kills her.

official. Motif: The use of the sonnet motif is used as Marianne farewells Willoughby. This time it is used to lament what they had, but it also draws attention to the idea that true love can withstand storms & is n ot shaken by the stormy weather (that looks upon tempest & is not shaken) . Symbolism: The use of the tempest (storm) is symbolic of the stormy/turbulent emotions Marianne is feeling after losing Willoughby. Symbolism: The home of Willoughby (Coombe Magna) that Marianne risks her life to look upon is dark, gloomy & troubled in appearance much like Willoughby, yet despite these obvious flaws, Marianne is reluctant to give him up. Symbolism: The bleeding of Marianne is symbolic of her love for Willoughby which is like an infection. In order to remove her infection (her love) she needs to be bled of it to flush it from her system.

Convention Of The Genre Boy & girl reunite.

Scene From Film Edward & Elinor are reunited in highly emotional circumstances when she discovers he has not married Lucy & is free to pursue a relationship with her after all. Brandon & Marianne are reunited on her death bed! He rescues her from the storm & paces the floors during her illness, even travelling to fetch her mother. His devotion is finally recognised with gratitude from Marianne.

How Film Techniques Convey Meaning Edwardss heartfelt dialogue, My heart is & always will be yours delineates his feelings for Elinor & the fact that he is now at liberty to do so. They are now able to be together. Elinors emotional relief is conveyed through a medium shot which conveys her facial expression & body language all of which is wracked with joy and emotion. Brandons rescue of Marianne during the storm is juxtaposed against Willoughbys earlier rescue of Marianne. Unlike Willoughby , who carried Marianne a short distance & as if she weighed no more than a dried leaf, Brandon struggles to carry Marianne over a much longer distance of 3 miles. This symbolises the difficulty Brandon had in winning Mariannes love & also conveys the effort he was willing to put in to gain her heart. He was willing to go the distance for love, unlike Willoughby. Brandons dialogue, Give me an occupation or I shall go mad delineates his devotion to Marianne. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make her well so he can pursue her now that Willoughby is no longer his rival. Mariannes acknowledgment of Brandons kindness by thanking him signals that there may be hope for them after all. Mariannes dialogue, You will not stay away long, when Brandon announces he is to go on a journey deli neates her growing affection for him.

Convention Of The Genre Boy & girl live happily ever after.

Scene From Film Edward proposes to Elinor now that he is free to do so. Marianne & Brandon also marry.

How Film Techniques Convey Meaning Margarets dialogue, Hes kneeling down! delineates that Edward has proposed to Elinor signalling that they have achieved their happy ending. A medium shot of Brandon & Marianne exiting the church on their wedding day conveys their happy facial expressions & affectionate body language. A close-up shot of a dishevelled, unshaven & sad Willoughby observing the happy procession is ironic given his prior comment to Marianne about Brandon, As if you could ever marry such a man. Brandon now has the happy ending that should have been Willoughbys.