Chapters 30-38

This entry, like the first, is heavy on summary. Lots of reading, little reflection over the last several weeks. I hope to have more brain space for deeper reflection as I finish the book over the next two weeks.

Marianne is all shades of despair in this section. And, despite her wish to return home to Barton Cottage, Mrs. Dashwood decides it is better for her to stay in town, away from the places that would remind her even more of the lost Mr. Willoughby.

As the sisters continue their trip, high drama ensues.

First, Colonel Brandon pays a visit to Elinor while Marianne is confined in grief to her room and drops a Willoughby bombshell. He recounts to Elinor the tragic love story of his past: in love with a woman (of whom Marianne reminds him in both looks and spirit), but she was married off to his brother instead to ensure his family’s fortune. They divorced while he was with his regiment in the East Indies, and she fell on hard times. On his return he found her in the last stages of consumption and the mother of a child born from a seduction she had fallen under. After her death Brandon was given care of the child (Eliza), but she spent most of her time in a boarding school prior to her removal to live with a “respectable woman.” However, last October, when Brandon abruptly left their party at Barton, he did so because he had word that she had disappeared.

Turns out, prior to his arrival at Barton, Mr. Willoughby had run off with Eliza and when he had left her, he assured her of his affection and promised to return. He didn’t. When Colonel Brandon found Eliza, she was alone and pregnant. When Colonel Brandon next met Willoughby, they dueled (because, of course), but each were unharmed. Willoughby has now become engaged to the wealthy Miss Grey, after dumping Marianne. Elinor has the unhappy task of related this all to Marianne.

Fanny and John Dashwood arrive in town, reminding us all of the terrible people they are. We also learn that Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Ferrars, has decided that Edward will marry a Miss Morton – she has been deemed an acceptable match for her firstborn son. Elinor, knowing of Edward’s secret engagement, listens and looks on as things start to unravel. Fanny becomes quite taken with the ridiculous Mrs. Jennings – like calls to like, I suppose – and invites her and the Steele sisters to lunch with her mother. Elinor and Marianne are invited only because she is bound by duty to do so. Mrs. Ferrars, kept abreast of the suspicion of attachment between Elinor and Edward, goes out of her way to treat Elinor terribly. Ironically, she dotes on Lucy.

Mrs. Ferrars particularly snubs Elinor’s art, enough so that even Fanny seems embarrassed. Briefly. She then goes back to her usual ways, referencing how wonderful Miss Morton’s art is. However, Marianne, despite all her miserableness, will not stand for others insulting her sister. As usual, she ignores all social niceties and loudly proclaims, “This is admiration of a very particular kind! – what is Miss Morton to us? – who knows, or who cares, for her? – it is Elinor of whom we think and speak.” The narrator informs us in the text following this interaction that “Elinor was much more hurt by Marianne’s warmth than she had been by what produced it…” Despite Marianne’s good intentions, Elinor is so caught up in appropriate social protocols and behavior that she can’t even appreciate the love and defense from her sister. Let it go, Elinor! Your sister loves you and is standing up for you because you won’t do it yourself! I’d like to express thanks to my sister for defending me when I couldn’t, or wouldn’t, myself. I felt nothing but love and appreciation in those instances – and a renewal of my own courage to speak up.

I tend to agree with some critics that Austen is partial to Elinor over Marianne. Elinor always does the “right” thing, reacts to every situation exactly as society calls for. And Austen favors these responses to a fault, as evidenced in the above situation. I didn’t pick up on this as much my first few times reading Sense and Sensibility. Perhaps I’m noticing it more now with repetition, but a few years ago, I read a book by Helena Kelly called, “Jane Austen the Secret Radical.” I was surprised in reading it how many of Austen’s plot points, story-arcs, and characters were truly progressive for her day. (I do also think there were some stretches made by Kelly to portray Austen as more “radical” than she really was…) So, I think I’m also surprised at how much censure is given toward Marianne now knowing how many other social mores Austen bucked over the course of her writings. However, Sense and Sensibility was also Austen’s first published novel. I may need to pull “Secret Radical” out again and read it again as I also work through the novels. Perhaps Austen grows bolder as she becomes a more seasoned writer.

A couple of chapters later, Fanny and John Dashwood hold a music party. Elinor and Marianne are again, invited out of duty and nothing else. At this party, we finally meet Mr. Robert Ferrars, Fanny and Edward’s brother. Unbeknownst to our sisters, they have already encountered him at one of the shops in town. He was being a right pain in the ass at the counter about a ridiculously fancy toothpick case. Elinor’s interaction with him at the party only confirms his pompous, foppish nature. He drones on about topics he has no real knowledge of, and Elinor is stuck listening, giving us one of my favorite Austen quotes of all time. “Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.” Oh, Elinor, haven’t we all. I can name three Robert Ferrars I’ve known, right now, off the top of my head. Give me some time – I’ll come up with more. It’s just not worth it to argue. People like him are so obnoxiously confident in their assertions, reason has no power. Their over-the-top self-importance just adds to the revulsion. I’m getting frustrated just thinking about these people again, ugh. Edward seems to be the only tolerable individual in the Ferrars family. Although, he does seem to have a bit of a martyr complex, as we will see shortly.

Mrs. Jennings daughter has had a baby, and she is spending most of her days at their home, leaving Elinor and Marianne alone at her place. John feels it is his duty as brother to offer Elinor and Marianne a place to stay with him and Fanny. Fanny, ever eager to keep as much distance as possible between Elinor and Marianne and herself, keeps this from happening by telling John she has already offered their home to the Steele sisters. Lucy is ecstatic. The sister of her secret betrothed likes her so much she’s invited her into her home. Mission, almost, accomplished.

Until it all blows up.

The stay with the Dashwood’s had been going so well, they’d become such friends, that Lucy’s sister, Nancy, decides it’s okay to tell them of the engagement between Lucy and Edward. Spoiler alert: It is not okay. Edward’s family lose their minds. His mother, sister, and brother-in-law are furious. His mother tells him he must break the engagement or lose his status to inherit as the oldest son. Ever true to his word (ever glutton for punishment?) Edward refuses and remains engaged to Lucy. The engagement continues, but the wedding is no closer to happening. Finances were difficult before, but now, they are impossible. Edward and Lucy won’t be able to marry until he is able to take orders and obtain a living at a rectory. This is all related to Elinor via Nancy. And, again to Elinor via letter from Lucy, just to twist the knife.

We are getting close to the end! 125 pages to go…