Although it’s much more subtle than Marianne’s character growth, I think Elinor does change and grow by the end of the story. She’s so practical and steady and self-aware throughout the novel that I had to stop and contemplate her character for a while before answering (which is probably the intent of the question - ha!). Through her experience of watching her sister’s struggles while silently enduring her own, and then having the climactic confrontation with Willoughby while Marianne is in danger of dying, I think that Elinor is more prepared to share her wisdom and speak her mind than she is at the beginning of the novel, when she occasionally is hesitant about if and how to approach Marianne about her concerns. So while Elinor’s ups and downs aren’t as outwardly drastic as Marianne’s, I do think that she comes into her strengths as a character and grows in her confidence as a strong woman worthy of emulation.
This is just so good, Haley. You put it so well - that important distinction between understanding temperament and developing character. So many of us end up feeling trapped by our inherent temperaments instead of seeing them as unique opportunities to grow in particular virtues.
I also got a little teary thinking of that scene with Marianne and Elinor - gets me every time.
This is a tough one! Maybe her character growth is to learn to be more understanding of the feelings and behaviour of people to whom reserve and composure don’t come naturally? I read her big confrontation with Willoughby that way - it felt like the Eleanor at the beginning of the book wouldn’t have had much patience for his “but I LOVED her!” excuse, whereas the Eleanor during Marianne’s illness is able to feel some sympathy.
Caveat that I have a real hard time with that scene - what Willoughby did to marianne is easily classified as a youngish guy getting carried away by his feelings and leading on a girl who really cares for him (whomst amongst us…). What he did to colonel Brandon’s ward was a real crime (morally if not legally) - running away with, impregnating and abandoning a mostly friendless teenager in 18/19th century England is unconscionable and I remain very confused about why Jane Austen didn’t treat it him with more contempt. Though colonel Brandon rightfully does, so maybe he, not Eleanor, is who we’re supposed to look for as the moral compass here.
I have a different question about the ending of S&S so I apologize for thread-jacking, but on this read through I realized; don't Willoughby and Edward commit different versions of the same sin? They both become emotionally entangled with someone they know they will not commit to! I think one of the big differences is their (mistaken) approach to the consequences; Willoughby doesn't seem to care that he will hurt Marianne even as he grows to care for her against his initial desire for a mere flirtation, and Edward convinces himself that the pain will be his alone, because he believes Elinor doesn't feel for him what he feels for her. I noticed this for the first time on this read-through, and it definitely made me feel slightly less sympathetic to Edward. I think it's also a data point Haley's argument that Jane Austen really cautions against charm (and especially charm in men)!
I like that you included Alasdair MacIntyre's commentary on emotions and virtue. Wondering if you're read Servais Pinckaers works on the subject, most notably his book "Passions & Virtue." It has informed my thinking on the subject while using it in research for a non-fiction book on what a truly Christian lifestyle would look like. It is interesting stuff. Great post.
Although it’s much more subtle than Marianne’s character growth, I think Elinor does change and grow by the end of the story. She’s so practical and steady and self-aware throughout the novel that I had to stop and contemplate her character for a while before answering (which is probably the intent of the question - ha!). Through her experience of watching her sister’s struggles while silently enduring her own, and then having the climactic confrontation with Willoughby while Marianne is in danger of dying, I think that Elinor is more prepared to share her wisdom and speak her mind than she is at the beginning of the novel, when she occasionally is hesitant about if and how to approach Marianne about her concerns. So while Elinor’s ups and downs aren’t as outwardly drastic as Marianne’s, I do think that she comes into her strengths as a character and grows in her confidence as a strong woman worthy of emulation.
This is just so good, Haley. You put it so well - that important distinction between understanding temperament and developing character. So many of us end up feeling trapped by our inherent temperaments instead of seeing them as unique opportunities to grow in particular virtues.
I also got a little teary thinking of that scene with Marianne and Elinor - gets me every time.
This is a tough one! Maybe her character growth is to learn to be more understanding of the feelings and behaviour of people to whom reserve and composure don’t come naturally? I read her big confrontation with Willoughby that way - it felt like the Eleanor at the beginning of the book wouldn’t have had much patience for his “but I LOVED her!” excuse, whereas the Eleanor during Marianne’s illness is able to feel some sympathy.
Caveat that I have a real hard time with that scene - what Willoughby did to marianne is easily classified as a youngish guy getting carried away by his feelings and leading on a girl who really cares for him (whomst amongst us…). What he did to colonel Brandon’s ward was a real crime (morally if not legally) - running away with, impregnating and abandoning a mostly friendless teenager in 18/19th century England is unconscionable and I remain very confused about why Jane Austen didn’t treat it him with more contempt. Though colonel Brandon rightfully does, so maybe he, not Eleanor, is who we’re supposed to look for as the moral compass here.
I’ve so enjoyed these this year ❤️
I have a different question about the ending of S&S so I apologize for thread-jacking, but on this read through I realized; don't Willoughby and Edward commit different versions of the same sin? They both become emotionally entangled with someone they know they will not commit to! I think one of the big differences is their (mistaken) approach to the consequences; Willoughby doesn't seem to care that he will hurt Marianne even as he grows to care for her against his initial desire for a mere flirtation, and Edward convinces himself that the pain will be his alone, because he believes Elinor doesn't feel for him what he feels for her. I noticed this for the first time on this read-through, and it definitely made me feel slightly less sympathetic to Edward. I think it's also a data point Haley's argument that Jane Austen really cautions against charm (and especially charm in men)!
I like that you included Alasdair MacIntyre's commentary on emotions and virtue. Wondering if you're read Servais Pinckaers works on the subject, most notably his book "Passions & Virtue." It has informed my thinking on the subject while using it in research for a non-fiction book on what a truly Christian lifestyle would look like. It is interesting stuff. Great post.