Benevolent, willing and knowledgeable: these are all characteristics of Elinor Dashwood. Authors often use character traits to portray them as key parts of the plot. In Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Elinor is shown as an important character through her compassion towards others and her willingness to help her family in difficult situations. Readers first see Elinor's importance to the novel through her compassion towards Colonel Brandon, John Willoughby, and Edward Ferrars. When Colonel Brandon came into her life, she treated him with very little compassion but as time passed, “Elinor's compassion for him increased” (47). Her compassion radiates through her determination to always engage in conversation with him: “and talk to Elinor, who often derived more satisfaction from conversing with him than from any other everyday event” (145). Throughout the novel readers see that Elinor does not like Willoughby but after he breaks Marianne's dislike turns to horror. However, when Willoughby arrives in Cleveland to apologize and explain, Elinor's "heart, which had undergone many changes in the course of this extraordinary conversation, was now softened again" (292). Elinor must deal with her own pain and the hurt of her rejection. When they return home from Cleveland, Edward arrives and asks for forgiveness. Elinor bestows compassion on Edward by accepting his marriage proposal and then marrying him: "The first month after [Edward and Elinor's] marriage" (336). Through his compassion towards these three characters, readers see the importance of his presence in the novel. Readers later see how Elinor willingly helps her sister overcome adversities in her life. “Elinor was to be the consoler of others in her distresses, no less than in theirs; and all the comfort that could be given by assurances of one's own mental composure” (228). So, then, Elinor selflessly puts aside her emotions to comfort Marianne after Willoughby rejects her and breaks her heart: "What! – while you attended me in all my misery, this was your heart?" (229). Marianne realizes that Elinor knew about Edward's engagement to Lucy, but chose to leave it all behind to console her. This pain has been weighing on Elinor's heart for four months, which makes it even more difficult for Marianne to understand it. "Four months! - cried Marianne again - so calm! - so cheerful! - how have you been supported?" (229). Elinor's response to this question clearly shows why she chose to be selfless and hide her pain: “and I owed it to my family and friends, not to create in them a solicitude towards me”.” (229).