Blog Post 4

Once again as the book continues, we see the two main characters, Elinor and Marianne faced with similar challenges and once again we see both of them act in very different ways. Both girls have their heart broken by possible love interests and prospects for marriage. While each is equally devastating, the girls respond in entirely different ways

Marianne had convinced herself that she was in love with Willoughby and was love at first sight. Her sister had warned her about such rash actions but Marianne was determined. Disaster strikes when Marianne sees Willoughby walking out the door, not to be seen for an entire year. Marianne is hysterical and acts as though it is the end of the world. She shuts herself up in her room, hardly ever to return. Austen notes, "They saw nothing of Marianne till dinner time, when she entered the room and took her place at the table without saying a word. Her eyes were red and swollen; and it seemed as if her tears were even then restrained with difficulty. She avoided the looks of them all, could neither eat nor speak, and after some time, on her mother's silently pressing her hand with tender compassion, her small degree of fortitude was quite overcome, she burst into tears and left the room." (75).

Elinor also experiences heartbreak when she finds out devastating news. Edward had returned and seen Elinor a while earlier and though she denied it, Marianne insisted he was still in love with her, to the point where he was wearing a lock of her hair around his neck. Though Elinor dismisses her sister, I believe she thought it was so. However, horrible shock came later. She had been an acquaintance to Lucy Steele and was politely talking to her when she discovers that in fact Lucy had been the love interest of Edward and it was her hair he was wearing around her neck. Jane Austen describes Elinor's emotions as, "What felt Elinor at that moment? Astonishment, that would have been as painful as it was strong, had not an immediate disbelief of the assertion attended it. She turned towards Lucy in silent amazement, unable to divine the reason or object of such a declaration; and though her complexion varied, she stood firm in incredulity, and felt in no danger of an hysterical fit, or a swoon. "(115).

The difference in the reactions between the two sisters is astonishing. While Marianne was hysterical, Elinor remained composed. At first we think that Elinor is clearly better than her sister and more mature. While it is true that Elinor might have more self-control than her sister, it is not healthy for her to bottle up her emotions. The sisters are the extremes of the situation and need to find a happy middle where they can express their emotions calmly.