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“I shall very soon think him handsome, Elinor, if I do not now. When you tell me to love him as a brother, I shall no more see imperfection in his face, than I now do in his heart.”
Good heavens, I am just now, on a second read, seeing that Edward is already a kind of brother to them, though by such distant relation that they wouldn't call him that. Their half-brother John is married to Fanny, who is Edward's sister. I guess that would be a stepbrother in law -- if it's anything at all. In a later chapter he is described, actually, as "almost a relation."
In any case the terminology of their day was somewhat different, if we want to get really pedantic. In chapter 1, for example, Mrs. Dashwood, who I would call John's stepmother, is referred to as his mother-in-law; and later he is called her son-in-law rather than stepson.
I could be wrong but I don't think the novel uses the term "step". We do see terms like "half blood", "half sister", and "in law".
“I do not attempt to deny,” said she, “that I think very highly of him—that I greatly esteem, that I like him.” Marianne here burst forth with indignation— “Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor! Oh! worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again, and I will leave the room this moment.” Elinor could not help laughing. “Excuse me,” said she; “and be assured that I meant no offence to you, by speaking, in so quiet a way, of my own feelings. Believe them to be stronger than I have declared; believe them, in short, to be such as his merit, and the suspicion—the hope
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Elinor's rote, formal way of expressing her feelings about a man is similar to one made by Esther in Lew Wallace's "Ben-Hur", in which Esther's father gives a reply that reminds me of Marianne's:
****************
"Send for him, father. Send for him to-night, and do not let him go into the Circus."
By a mighty effort ... he controlled himself, and asked, calmly, "Not go into the Circus, Esther? Why, child?"
"It is not a place for a son of Israel, father."
"Rabbinical, rabbinical, Esther! Is that all?"
The tone of the inquiry was searching, and went to her heart, which began to beat loudly-so loudly she could not answer .... She bent over him, and laid her cheek against his head.
"Speak, Esther. I will be the stronger of the knowledge. In warning there is strength."
She sat up then, and spoke as if she were Truth's holy self. "Comfort thee, father. I will never leave thee; though he take my love, I will be thy handmaid ever as now." And, stooping, she kissed him.
"And more," she said, continuing: "he is comely in my sight, and the pleading of his voice drew me to him, and I shudder to think of him in danger. Yes, father, I would be more than glad to see him again. Still, the love that is unrequited cannot be perfect love, wherefore I will wait a time, remembering I am thy daughter and my mother's."
Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which had seized her at sixteen and a half, of ever seeing a man who could satisfy her ideas of perfection, had been rash and unjustifiable. Willoughby was all that her fancy had delineated in that unhappy hour and in every brighter period, as capable of attaching her; and his behaviour declared his wishes to be in that respect as earnest, as his abilities were strong.
Willoughby regards himself as independent of societal notions but ironically he's molded himself to perfectly resemble an archetype of the perfect young man, suitor, hero, beau.
Marianne, in her early despair about finding such a man, was beginning to understand already that what she had in mind was an archetype, as distinct from a person she might actually meet.
his reserve appeared rather the result of some oppression of spirits than of any natural gloominess of temper.
This is how Elinor views Colonel Brandon, and it's very similar to A.C. Bradley's judgment of the personality of Hamlet ("Shakespearean Tragedy").
Perhaps Brandon was not so different from Marianne, under normal circumstances.
Interestingly, the Dashwood family is currently reading "Hamlet."
“Your sister, I understand, does not approve of second attachments.” “No,” replied Elinor, “her opinions are all romantic.” “Or rather, as I believe, she considers them impossible to exist.” “I believe she does. But how she contrives it without reflecting on the character of her own father, who had himself two wives, I know not.
Characters in the novel who have two or more attachments:
Marianne - Willoughby, Brandon
Willoughby - Eliza Williams {Jr.), Marianne, Miss Grey
Edward - Lucy, Elinor
Lucy - Edward and Robert Ferrars
Henry Dashwood - two wives: the mother of John and the mother of Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret
Colonel Brandon - Eliza Williams (Sr.), Marianne
Elinor has only one attachment. So, at the end of the novel, does her mother, as well as Mrs. Jennings.
“I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.
As she says a moment later, "I require no such proof."
An attitude easily preyed upon.
“You must not enquire too far, Marianne—remember I have no knowledge in the picturesque, and I shall offend you by my ignorance and want of taste if we come to particulars. I shall call hills steep, which ought to be bold; surfaces strange and uncouth, which ought to be irregular and rugged; and distant objects out of sight, which ought only to be indistinct through the soft medium of a hazy atmosphere. You must be satisfied with such admiration as I can honestly give. I call it a very fine country—the hills are steep, the woods seem full of fine timber, and the valley looks comfortable and
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Romanticism as a movement is said to have originated in the late 18th century, so maybe this speech by Edward addresses the new movement. Whether or not it does, it's a fine speech that seems to disagree with Marianne's way of perceiving the world while still respecting her view, Edward even allowing that his view might be missing something.
"I shall call hills steep, which ought to be bold; surfaces strange and uncouth, which ought to be irregular and rugged; and distant objects out of sight, which ought only to be indistinct through the soft medium of a hazy atmosphere."
Edward would have made a fine astronomer, and he talks like some of the astronauts who first described the lunar surface.
finding, like many others of his sex, that through some unaccountable bias in favour of beauty, he was the husband of a very silly woman,—but she knew that this kind of blunder was too common for any sensible man to be lastingly hurt by it.—It
A brilliant foreshadow, but with irony
Marianne, who had never much toleration for anything like impertinence, vulgarity, inferiority of parts, or even difference of taste from herself,
Elinor would make a better BookTuber, with her greater tolerance for views different from her own
Elinor, though greatly shocked, still felt unable to believe it.
"Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. She wished to discredit it entirely, repeatedly exclaiming, 'This must be false! This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!'-and when she had gone through the whole letter, though scarcely knowing any thing of the last page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not regard it, that she would never look in it again. In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on nothing, she walked on; but it would not do; in half a minute the letter was unfolded again, and collecting herself as well as she could, she again began the mortifying perusal of all that related to Wickham, and commanded herself so far as to examine the meaning of every sentence."
- "Pride and Prejudice"
Engaged to Mr. Edward Ferrars!—I confess myself so totally surprised at what you tell me, that really—I beg your pardon; but surely there must be some mistake of person or name. We cannot mean the same Mr. Ferrars.” “We can mean no other,” cried Lucy, smiling. “Mr. Edward Ferrars, the eldest son of Mrs. Ferrars, of Park Street, and brother of your sister-in-law, Mrs. John Dashwood, is the person I mean; you must allow that I am not likely to be deceived as to the name of the man on who all my happiness depends.”
Foreshadow of the final confusion
What Lucy had asserted to be true, therefore, Elinor could not, dared not longer doubt; supported as it was too on every side by such probabilities and proofs, and contradicted by nothing but her own wishes.
"What Wickham had said of the living was fresh in her memory, and as she recalled his very words, it was impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side or the other; and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that her wishes did not err. But when she read, and re-read with the closest attention, the particulars immediately following of Wickham's resigning all pretensions to the living, of his receiving in lieu, so considerable a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate. She put down the letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be impartiality-deliberated on the probability of each statement-but with little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read on. But every line proved more clearly that the affair, which she had believed it impossible that any contrivance could so represent, as to render Mr. Darcy's conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a turn which must make him entirely blameless throughout the whole."
- "Pride and Prejudice"
I am justified—though where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?” He stopped.
A touch of Hamlet again, in his delay
Hers, for me, was, I believe, fervent as the attachment of your sister to Mr. Willoughby
He has rational reason here to hope for Marianne's affection, provided he is right about Marianne and Eliza being so similar -- a comparison he felt instinctively, but which his rational mind would recognize as speculation, leaving him with doubts.
We were within a few hours of eloping together for Scotland.
Again evidence that Brandon, under normal circumstances, was not so different from Marianne.
Life could do nothing for her, beyond giving time for a better preparation for death; and that was given. I saw her placed in comfortable lodgings, and under proper attendants; I visited her every day during the rest of her short life: I was with her in her last moments.”
In this time it may actually have been more important for a woman to marry a man who cared for her than to marry a man she cared for. Lacking either could be emotionally devastating, but the former lack could also end life itself.
The complicating factor here is that Eliza is the one who leaves her husband. She could have survived, presumably, in an unhappy marriage.
And there is not just one reason her marriage is unhappy. She lacks both a husband who cares for her and a husband she cares for.
Little did Mr. Willoughby imagine, I suppose, when his looks censured me for incivility in breaking up the party, that I was called away to the relief of one whom he had made poor and miserable; but had he known it, what would it have availed? Would he have been less gay or less happy in the smiles of your sister?
Brandon's point here is not about Willoughby fearing denunciation, but with respect to that point, I guess Willoughby would not even know that Eliza, surnamed Williams, was connected to Brandon.
And of course Brandon at the moment he left the party did not know that Willoughby was Eliza's seducer. But now I wonder: what did Brandon know about Willoughby before that party in October? The movies all make it seem that Brandon has long has the goods on Willoughby's character, and that Willoughby knows it.
Knowing all this, as I have now known it many weeks, guess what I must have felt on seeing your sister as fond of him as ever, and on being assured that she was to marry him: guess what I must have felt for all your sakes. When I came to you last week and found you alone, I came determined to know the truth; though irresolute what to do when it was known. My behaviour must have seemed strange to you then; but now you will comprehend it. To suffer you all to be so deceived; to see your sister—but what could I do? I had no hope of interfering with success; and sometimes I thought your sister’s
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But why not denounce him as soon as all this was known? Privately, for Eliza's sake, but immediately, for Marianne's.
Why did Brandon delay?
we met by appointment, he to defend, I to punish his conduct. We returned unwounded, and the meeting, therefore, never got abroad.” Elinor sighed over the fancied necessity of this; but to a man and a soldier she presumed not to censure it.
Marianne, with her more-romantic sensibility, might see this duel somewhat differently.
At least Marianne might modify her own views about Brandon's rheumatisms!
However, the duel was probably not fought with swords but with pistols.
The calm and polite unconcern of Lady Middleton on the occasion was a happy relief to Elinor’s spirits, oppressed as they often were by the clamorous kindness of the others. It was a great comfort to her to be sure of exciting no interest in one person at least among their circle of friends: a great comfort to know that there was one who would meet her without feeling any curiosity after particulars, or any anxiety for her sister’s health.
Lady Middleton, described this way, reminds me of Lady Bertram in "Mansfield Park." No doubt Fanny Price could feel relaxed around Lady Bertram in the same way that Elinor experiences here with Lady Middleton
“I should have been quite disappointed if I had not found you here still,” said she repeatedly, with a strong emphasis on the word. “But I always thought I should. I was almost sure you would not leave London yet awhile; though you told me, you know, at Barton, that you should not stay above a month. But I thought, at the time, that you would most likely change your mind when it came to the point. It would have been such a great pity to have went away before your brother and sister came. And now to be sure you will be in no hurry to be gone. I am amazingly glad you did not keep to your word.”
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This is almost verse.
And monstrous funny.
Marianne was spared from the troublesome feelings of contempt and resentment, on this impertinent examination of their features, and on the puppyism of his manner in deciding on all the different horrors of the different toothpick cases presented to his inspection, by remaining unconscious of it all; for she was as well able to collect her thoughts within herself, and be as ignorant of what was passing around her, in Mr. Gray’s shop, as in her own bedroom.
Mr. Palmer does the same, only he uses a newspaper.
Today they'd be buried in cellphones.
Edward seemed to have as great an inclination to walk out of the room again, as to advance farther into it.
One of the funniest moments in the novel.
because they were fond of reading, she fancied them satirical: perhaps without exactly knowing what it was to be satirical; but that did not signify. It was censure in common use, and easily given.
Taunts that Jane Austen herself surely received
Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.
This refers to Robert Ferrars. Earlier Elinor had resolved, concerning Marianne:
"Opposition on so tender a subject would only attach her the more to her own opinion."
And in a verbal duel with Lucy: "Elinor would not humour her by farther opposition."
Elinor's indifferent silences have multiple uses and edges.
Elinor left her to be convinced that it was so, by that which only could convince her, a better knowledge of mankind.
By time.
Or by "a better acquaintance with the world," as Elinor had put it once to Colonel Brandon.
in the interval of Marianne’s turning from one lesson to another, some words of the Colonel’s inevitably reached her ear,
This sequence needs to be filmed
“The lady, I suppose, has no choice in the affair.” “Choice!—how do you mean?” “I only mean that I suppose, from your manner of speaking, it must be the same to Miss Morton whether she marry Edward or Robert.” “Certainly, there can be no difference; for Robert will now to all intents and purposes be considered as the eldest son;—and as to anything else, they are both very agreeable young men: I do not know that one is superior to the other.”
More foreshadow. But with a brilliant double meaning for the word "choice."
‘My dear madam, I do not know what you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for myself, I must say, that if Edward does marry this young woman, I never will see him again.’
"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."
- "Pride and Prejudice"
The rapid decay, the early death of a girl so young, so lovely as Marianne, must have struck a less interested person with concern.
Heartbreaking that Jane Austen wrote this line
The night was cold and stormy. The wind roared round the house, and the rain beat against the windows; but Elinor, all happiness within, regarded it not.
What a contrast with Catherine Morland in "Northanger Abbey", who imagined Gothic storms all around her on peaceful days.
Vanity, while seeking its own guilty triumph at the expense of another, had involved him in a real attachment,
Henry Crawford ("Mansfield Park")
Marianne would yet never have been so happy with him, as she will be with Colonel Brandon.” She paused.—Her daughter could not quite agree with her, but her dissent was not heard, and therefore gave no offence.
From "Lady Susan":
"Frederica runs much in my thoughts, and when Reginald has recovered his usual good spirits (as I trust he soon will) we will try to rob him of his heart once more, and I am full of hopes of seeing their hands joined at no great distance.Your affectionate mother, C. De Courcy."
How soon he had walked himself into the proper resolution, however, how soon an opportunity of exercising it occurred, in what manner he expressed himself, and how he was received, need not be particularly told. This only need be said;—that when they all sat down to table at four o’clock, about three hours after his arrival, he had secured his lady,
Jane Austen directly describes neither the initial romance of Edward and Elinor nor its rekindling. Maybe those types of scenes just weren't her thing? Maybe she left them out to make her work less conventional, or less easily labeled as conventional romance?
Precious as was the company of her daughter to her, she desired nothing so much as to give up its constant enjoyment to her valued friend; and to see Marianne settled at the mansion house was equally the wish of Edward and Elinor. They each felt his sorrows, and their own obligations, and Marianne, by general consent, was to be the reward of all. With such a confederacy against her—with a knowledge so intimate of his goodness—with a conviction of his fond attachment to herself, which at last, though long after it was observable to everybody else—burst on her—what could she do? Marianne
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Succession of ironies
Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby.
What would the timeframe be here? See the time allowed for Reginald De Courcy to get over his first attachment and to have his feelings gradually turned, by his family, to someone else, in "Lady Susan":
"Frederica was therefore fixed in the family of her uncle and aunt till such time as Reginald De Courcy could be talked, flattered, and finessed into an affection for her which, allowing leisure for the conquest of his attachment to her mother, for his abjuring all future attachments, and detesting the sex, might be reasonably looked for in the course of a twelvemonth. Three months might have done it in general, but Reginald's feelings were no less lasting than lively."
