The sentences that best help describe each of the main characters in Sense and Sensibility are as follows:
“I’d like to help my sisters.” - John Dashwood
This sentence describes that John is weak minded as he doesn’t do as he thinks. Instead of helping his sisters the money-hungry heir to the Norland estate listens to his wife Fanny's suggestions. He leaves his mother and sisters with very little money and is unconcerned for their welfare.
“No, not money. First, help them to find a new home. And then later send them some fruit, or fish, or meat. Why do they need money? They can live very cheaply.” - Fanny
This sentence describes the selfish, snobbish, and manipulative ways of Fanny, John Dashwood’s wife.
“Elinor and Edward will get married! Elinor will be so happy!” - Mrs. Dashwood.
This sentence helps is catch a glimpse of the kind and loving mother of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. She inherited no fortune of her own but wants the best for her daughters.
“Perhaps I shall never see you again! And oh, you beautiful trees! When shall I walk under your leaves again?” - Marianne
This sentence depicts the seventeen-year-old second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood. It also demonstrates Marianne's spontaneity, excessive sensibility, and romantic idealism which lead her to fall in love with the deceitful John Willoughby.
“He loves her!” - Mrs. Jennings
This sentence best exemplifies the gossipy but well-intentioned mother who invites the Dashwood sisters to stay with her in London and makes it her goal to marry them off as soon as possible.
“I can carry you” - Willoughby
This sentence helps us to see how the attractive but deceitful Willoughby wins Marianne Dashwood's heart through kindness even though he then abandons her.
“No, no – he has a relative here, an old lady. He has a very nice house not too far away, at Combe Magna in Somerset, and will be a good husband for somebody! Be careful Elinor - Marianne has Brandon already” - Sir John
This sentence shows how the jovial distant relative of the Dashwoods is willing to help whenever possible.
“but I must go to London immediately to finish some important business. We can’t go to Whitwell today. My friends are away, and the servants don’t know you - you won’t get in without me” - Colonel Brandon
This sentence gives us a glimpse of the retired officer and friend of Sir John Middleton who falls in love with Marianne. He acts kindly, honorably, and graciously towards the Dashwoods throughout the book.
“If something is nice, it can still be wrong.” - Elinor
This sentence helps us understand how the nineteen-year-old eldest daughter of Mrs. Dashwood and the heroine of Austen's novel thinks. She represents "sense" or "assertiveness" rather.
“Yes, but the roads at the bottom will get very dirty in winter” - Edward Ferrars
This sentence best describes the sensible and friendly Edward who develops a close relationship with Elinor while staying at Norland and ultimately marries her but not after he is finally freed from a four-year secret engagement to Lucy Steele.
“What dine, clever children!” - Lucy Steele
This sentence helps describe a deceitful, sly, selfish, and insecure young woman. She has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars for four years but she ultimately marries his brother, Robert, once Edward is disinherited.