![]() ![]() ![]() Ī pessimistic explanatory style not only fosters sadness and lethargy but can also contribute to poor health or even death. These are in fact among the characteristics of sensibility Austen addresses in her first novel Marianne, with her hatred of commonplace remarks, rejection of traditional decorum, and fondness for solitary walks, is an adherent of the new philosophy of individualism. As Austen recognized, however, the modern focus on individual rights and subjective experience and a corresponding rise in melancholy began to develop in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In fact, psychologists often blame a rise in individualism and decline in family and community ties for an increase of depression in the late twentieth century. Solitude also encourages rumination and depression whereas interacting with other people provides not only distraction but also comfort through a supportive network of relationships. Studies indicate that one of the major reasons women suffer from depression more than men is that women tend to brood over and analyze their problems, whereas men are more likely to distract themselves with activity or even drinking. Pessimists also tend to ruminate or mull over their disappointments and setbacks, thereby intensifying and prolonging their dysphoric states, whereas optimists distract themselves from disturbing thoughts. As a result, they retain hope and self-esteem and are motivated to seek creative solutions to adverse conditions. People with an optimistic explanatory style, by contrast, regard losses and problems as temporary they view them as affecting one aspect of their lives but not all and they blame external factors such as circumstances, bad luck, or other people for their problems. The result is a sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Pessimists tend to explain misfortunes as permanent-they will last forever pervasive-they will affect one's entire life and personal-the individual is responsible and therefore views herself as incompetent, unlovable, or otherwise flawed. According to this theory, what was previously considered "a symptom of depression-negative thinking-is the disease," and it is most effectively treated by training individuals to alter their thinking styles (Seligman, Learned Optimism 73).Īs psychologist Martin Seligman explains, people's mood or outlook is shaped by their way of explaining life events, especially the disappointments and misfortunes to which all are subject. Cognitive therapy is an approach to treating depression developed by Aaron T. The two Dashwood sisters reflect major principles of cognitive therapy as they illustrate the behaviors and thinking habits that either contribute to depression in Marianne's case or prevent it in Elinor's. In her depiction of Elinor's and Marianne's coping styles Austen comments on beliefs and trends of the late eighteenth century, but she also anticipates current psychological theory and practice. As Marilyn Butler notes, the novel "directs the reader's attention not towards what experience, but toward how they cope with experience" (184). ![]() IN SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood undergo similar experiences of disappointment in love, but their responses are radically different. ![]()
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