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I don't think that every hero has to be a savior. The conflict in Sense and Sensibility doesn't seem to be that some needs rescuing, but that a compromise between extreme idealism (Marianne's overly dramatic romanticism) and pragmatism (Edward's refusal to break an engagement even though it makes him unhappy and he's in love with someone else). If Elinor is a "hero" it's because she's sensible and pragmatic, yet possesses romantic yearnings that external circumstances can't help her act upon. She's there to steer her melodramatic family in a more logical direction, and by channeling her romantic emotions into empathizing with her sister and helping Edward find a living, is able have her romantic desires fulfilled by marrying Edward.
Justine sums it up nicely.
I always thought Austen *intended* Elinor to be the center of the story, but that it's actually both sisters who are central. You see it all from Elinor's perspective, but the story switches back and forth between the two sisters pretty evenly.
Except for Willoughby, the male romantic leads are very much "offstage" -- they have very few chances to really talk for themselves, because they're there so rarely. They really do function the way the woman does in most adventure tales -- as the "reward" the hero gets at the end. Of course, Austen is skilled enough to flesh them out a lot more than female rewards usually are, and they get to do more than many a female reward (who often get stuck with just being pretty and supportive), but that's still their basic role in the plot.
He is not a 'typical' romantic hero, granted. But if you insert Edward as the gentleman he is, in the Austen Universe, he's quite a character. If you compare him to Edmund Bertram, Darcy, Mr. Knightly and even Colonel Brandon you'll hopefuly realise they're not characters to attract the reade's passion based on first impressions or even a first entire read. Nevertheless, there's something about them that makes you want to go back and pay more close attention to their behaviour and speech.
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Justine
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Aug 06, 2011 08:56PM
I don't think that every hero has to be a savior. The conflict in Sense and Sensibility doesn't seem to be that some needs rescuing, but that a compromise between extreme idealism (Marianne's overly dramatic romanticism) and pragmatism (Edward's refusal to break an engagement even though it makes him unhappy and he's in love with someone else). If Elinor is a "hero" it's because she's sensible and pragmatic, yet possesses romantic yearnings that external circumstances can't help her act upon. She's there to steer her melodramatic family in a more logical direction, and by channeling her romantic emotions into empathizing with her sister and helping Edward find a living, is able have her romantic desires fulfilled by marrying Edward.
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Justine sums it up nicely.I always thought Austen *intended* Elinor to be the center of the story, but that it's actually both sisters who are central. You see it all from Elinor's perspective, but the story switches back and forth between the two sisters pretty evenly.
Except for Willoughby, the male romantic leads are very much "offstage" -- they have very few chances to really talk for themselves, because they're there so rarely. They really do function the way the woman does in most adventure tales -- as the "reward" the hero gets at the end. Of course, Austen is skilled enough to flesh them out a lot more than female rewards usually are, and they get to do more than many a female reward (who often get stuck with just being pretty and supportive), but that's still their basic role in the plot.
He is not a 'typical' romantic hero, granted. But if you insert Edward as the gentleman he is, in the Austen Universe, he's quite a character. If you compare him to Edmund Bertram, Darcy, Mr. Knightly and even Colonel Brandon you'll hopefuly realise they're not characters to attract the reade's passion based on first impressions or even a first entire read. Nevertheless, there's something about them that makes you want to go back and pay more close attention to their behaviour and speech.
