Characters of Elinor and Marianne

I finished reading Sense and Sensibility and decided to compare the characters of Elinor and Marianne. Elinor at 19, only two years older than Marianne is balanced, rational, responsible, and cognizant of other people's needs. Elinor is very talented in drawing and spends her time industriously and is very sensitive to the needs of her family. Elinor is also very practical and considers money an important commodity which can make life comfortable. Marianne loves to read, loves music and is very specific about what she likes and dislikes and has very intense feelings. She likes certain authors and certain compositions. She puts all of her into everything she does. Marianne is not as practical as Elinor. Marianne is extremely honest and never says a lie even for the sake of politeness. Elinor is also extremely honest but in order to be polite does say untruths. When the Dashwoods have to move to another house, Mrs. Dashwood is inclined to look for larger and more luxurious dwellings than would be prudent for them to consider if you take into account the recent events of their life. It is Elinor who advised the mother to choose more modest homes for them. Marianne overcome by emotion at leaving Norland is talking to the walls and trees of Norland from where she has to part. She tells the trees that when they shed leaves she will not be there to witness it. She does not give any advice to the mother. Marianne displays a lot of emotion. Crying, talking a lot etc are ways in which she shows her effusiveness. After her first meeting with Willoughby she enthusuastically converses so much with him in order to ascertain his opinion about all her favorite books and music. When Elinor along with her family leave Norland Edward speaks to her and Marianne in the same way which disappoints Marianne. She scolds Elinor for not showing emotion. Both Marianne and Elinor have a deep sisterly affection and tender love towards each other. When Marianne is emotionally afflicted when Willoughby leaves Elinor's care of her is so tender and deep. Marianne is equally solicitous of her sister's emotions where Edward is concerned. Elinor does not outwardly show any emotion when she finds Edward is involved with Lucy. She wanted to deal with it by herself. At one point this causes Marianne to suspect that she did not care much about Edward or that her feelings did not run deep. But later Marianne realizes it is her self command and lack of selfishness that causes her to bottle up all her feelings and not share them with anyone else. Marianne realizes that the way she responded when Willoughby rejected her caused her family a lot of pain and she did not realize she caused them so much pain.