This afternoon, my wife had a girlfriend come over to massage her feet and give her a pedicure. I grabbed my book and went to my local Starbucks. My wife reassured me that she wouldn’t go into labor… and if she did, she’d call.
Anyway, I finished S&S and now (I think) I know what it’s like to have sisters. I grew up with 2 brothers and never experienced a close sibling bond that would compare to the Dashwood sisters. For this, I’m envious.
I adored Marianne. Prior, I discussed the mysterious and complex situations of a women desperately waiting for her dream man (and wondered if it was true), but this attribute is probably what I enjoyed the most out of Ms. M. Her tenacity to dream, live life, and love on based on an oversized, romantic heart was refreshing. Now, this all brings new perspective to my girl-friends who refer to themselves as Mariannes. Yes, you are driven by emotions. Yes, you are head-over-heels for some dream guy. Yes, you seek after, think-about, and dwell on the man who will pick you up in the rain and carry you to safety… and to all that, ladies, I say continue. You wouldn’t be you without these wonderful attributes. Your character, at the core, is made up of a loving and caring women who simply wishes to be desired and sought-after.
Elinor… now there’s a girl who is loyal to her family. I felt that Elinor didn’t really emerge in the novel until the 2nd Volume or so. Yes, she was present, but was definitely overshadowed by Marianne’s infatuation with Willoughby. She seemed strong, confident, and certain of what she wants. My friends would say she’s in the “competent pool”. I loved how when Marianne was sick, she took over and made sure that everything was suitable for her… and in return, fell in love herself.
3 cheers for Austen for complex relationships. So much unraveling that was done in such a sophisticated manner. In comparison to Northanger Abbey, I liked the duality of the 2 female protagonists. Having simply just Catherine Morland was intriguing, but the juxtaposition of the Dashwood girls, made for more intricate relationship dynamics. I know that Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are the main couple in Pride and Prejudice, but I’ve been told that the web of relationships is just as complex as that of Sense and Sensibility.
In comparing the sisters and their capacity for love, I would say that they both loved just as deeply–only one (Marianne) wore her heart on her sleeve and Elinor kept her emotions to herself. They were both equally devastated by the loss of their love. It is showing two ways of dealing with broken hearts. Elinor’s pain was inward, Marianne’s was out.
congrats on the baby…I am afraid that it may be a long long time before you get to P&P…
I liked what you said here: “Elinor’s pain was inward, Marianne’s was out.” It’s true that both girls had their hearts broken… and both displayed their emotions very differently. Makes me wonder what relationships would be like if men had this information.
Totally agree with the comment before..both had broken hearts, but one definitely reigned it in more. Too love like Marianne though seems full of vibrancy, yet the downfall, if one, is the crash landing that comes. I prefer Elinor’s way, sadly, I’m a Marianne through, and through.
O’ and congrats on the baby!
Yes, I think that is an important point Austen makes very early in the book: Both sisters are capable of deep feelings, but Elinor is able to “govern them” (I think this is the expression used). Which causes her hearttrouble just as much as Marianne.
I am an Elinor so I guess I’m more on her side of the argument: Passionate love and a boundless display of it is all very well on paper (certainly is more “entertaining”), but in real life I would find Marianne’s self-destructive tendencies rather worrying. Giving yourself wholly up to the workings of your emotions is not something I would recommend and I don’t believe the opposite sex (in either way) finds it very attractive.
David, what did you think of the ending, Marianne’s rather hurried marriage (or Austen hurrying up to marry her) to Colonel Brandon? That usually raises a few eyebrows with first readers.
I thought the M’s marriage to Brandon seemed somewhat natural. I know that 2 years prior she didn’t like him, simply because he’s older, but the lessons learned through the Willoughby saga helped her to gain perspective on love and relationships. Honestly, B and M make a good couple.
I always thought that Elinor, though as broken hearted as her sister, got less simpathy and help from her family and friends. Sometimes it may be easier when nobody knows what is happening because there are no painful explanations to give, but still one is left to cope alone.
Have you already chosen a name for the baby?
Even though Elinor has her heart broken, I still think because of her firm governing hand, sympathy is lost.
My son’s name will be Deacon James. Wife is still preggo and we’re all simply just waiting now.
I hope you get a chance to watch the movie starring Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman. Such a great film, and so true to the spirit of the book. I just finished watching it. Again. The performances are brilliant.
This is my favorite Austen so far. I absolutely adore both sisters, though I’m more like Marianne. I strive to be like Elinor.