Introduction
The paper silhouette, a popular form of portraiture in eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century England, carries deep resonance in Sense and Sensibility (1811). In Austen’s time, a silhouette—named after the frugal Étienne de Silhouette—offered an inexpensive yet intimate means of capturing one’s likeness, accessible to those who could not afford painted portraits. Although sihouettes where the cheeper option, portrait miniatures held the same significance as a silhouette and provided much more detail to the person's appearance. In Sense and Sensibility, Elinor discovers that Edward Ferrars had a portrait miniature done. Within the novel, the importance of possessing an image of another person surfaces most notably when Elinor Dashwood discovers that Lucy Steele has a portrait miniature of Edward Ferrars. This simple image becomes a silent but potent emblem of affection, secrecy, and overall confusion. Possessing an image of another person meant a great deal, and Lucy having an image of Edward proved their engagement and led Elinor to believe that she was not loved by Edward.
This moment with the miniature is part of a larger pattern in the novel in which physical tokens become embodiments of emotional ties. Edward’s ring, set with Lucy’s hair, is proof of the claim Lucy has on him—an ever-present symbol of a promise--a promise that Edward is too honorable to break. Letters, too, function as attachments in material form. Though their significance is most dramatic in Marianne’s storyline, the principle applies across the novel. Lucy’s secret correspondence with Edward is one mechanism that proves their attachment and their engagement. Taken together,the miniature, the ring with hair, and the letter, are all small tokens used to prove attachment as this case shows.
Elinor Dashwood's Silhouette by Aleah Ford-Sussman, Photograph by Aleah Ford-Sussman, October 28th, 2025. In Sense and Sensibility, it is not until Lucy Steele brandishes Edward's picture that Elinor admits to herself that the engagement between the two is real. Having someone’s silhouette or portrait meant there was some level of intimacy between the two people. Interestingly, Elinor herself has no such likeness. One might wonder, had she possessed a silhouette of her own whether she would have offered it to Edward. And if he had one of her, how would it have influenced his relationship with Lucy?
Elinor Dashwood's Silhouette and the Critical Crafting Process, Photograph by Sara Tilem, October 24th, 2025. In the middle of my work, I decided I wanted to add an extra piece of wood to the back of the wooden oval to hide the bunched fabric fastened to the wood. However, once added, the overlapping wood piece looked a little clumsy. As I came to the end of my silhouette-making process, I realized that something was missing. I considered using pearl beads on the border, but I felt that was a little too showy for the character I chose, Elinor Dashwood. I decided to find some lace that would complement the aesthetic of my silhouette. With the help of Dr. Golden, I was able to find the perfect lace to complete my portrait of Elinor! Aside from the fact that the lace is pretty, it also serves as a way to make my project look properly finished. By adding the lace to the sides of the wood, my silhouette now has the clean finished look I desired.
I chose to cover the piece of wood with blue satin, hoping to allude to the Regency blue that I have come to associate with Jane Austen and her novels. As for the floral backgroud surrounding the silhouette itself, I felt it added youthfulness to the image. Although Elinor is the older of the two sisters and might have more sense than her sister Marianne, it is important that we remember that she, too, is young and still has much to learn.
Image of the Gold Mourning brooch, of Lozenge Form, Containing a Coil of Jane Austen’s hair. The reverse is engraved ‘J A December 16th 1775-July 1817’. Measuring 3.5cm x 3.5cm. Late George III period. Photo form JaneAustens.house. Another important item that proves atachment in Sense and Sensibility is a ring containing a coil of hair. Although this is an image of Jane Austen's hair, it provides a visual for what one such ring might look like. Having a ring like this would signifiy one of two things: that the person who wore the ring either did so to demonstrate a deep attachment or wore it as a reminder of a deceased loved one.
One of these rings is in Sense and Sensibility and worn by Edward. In Volume 1, Chapter 18, Marianne Dashwood notices Edward's ring and questions who's hair is kept in it. Edward responds that it is his sister Fanny's hair, but Elinor does not believe this. Upon looking at the hair, she believes it to be her own although he never asks for any, and she certainly has never given him any. This moment proves that Elinor does not have as much sense as readers might have believed. Elinor's love for Edward clouds her reasoning. She persaudes herself Edward takes her hair without her knowing rather than that the hair belongs to another.
An Autograph Letter from Jane Austen to Reverend James Stanier Clarke, from Chawton. The letter from Austen to Reverend Clarke consists of one sheet of paper, written on both sides. This letter is a good representation of what a letter from this time would have looked like. A letter was an additional way for people to demonstrate attachment. Typically, a letter was only passed between a man and woman if they were engaged or married. So when Lucy Steele tells Elinor of a letter she has from Edward, it is taken as further proof that she and Edward are engaged: "'Writing to each other,' said Lucy, returning the letter into her pocket, 'is the only comfort we have in such long separations'" (Sense and Sensibility, Vol. I, Ch. 22). When Elinor learns that the two have been writing to each other for some time, she understands their attachment is strong and that any hope of her being with Edward appears impossible.
Photo taken by Aleah Ford-Sussman from 1995 Sense and Sensibility 15:10. This shot is my inspiration for Elinor's silhoutte and this entire case. I thought it fitting that she is speaking to Edward since it is he that she is so attached to.