To me, it seems that Jane and Elizabeth, like the Dashwoods, have differences in temperament, but they interact on more equal footing. Elizabeth is very witty and observant of people (although not always as observant as she thinks she is), while Jane is more forgiving and willing to reserve judgment, although she sometimes takes this too far. They sometimes offer reasonable corrections of each other’s behavior, but both have a very high respect for the other’s temperament and abilities. With Elinor and Marianne, however, the virtue and prudence is almost entirely on Elinor’s side, while Marianne’s temperament and choices lead her to disappointment and damage her reputation. Elinor and Marianne seem to have a relationship in which one sister can learn prudence and maturity from the other rather than one in which both people exhibit traits the other should try to emulate.
I think a key difference between the Bennet sisters and the Dashwood sisters is actually the fact that from the opening pages the Dashwoods are in a season of grief and loss. What is only a possibility for the Bennets js reality for Elinor and Marianne (and their mother). In such times our characters bend to extremes. Elinor has a natural bent toward protecting her family and does so at her own expense. (A natural tendency of many an eldest daughter, Jane shares this quality.) And Lizzy is not without her own rash intemperance, which is the driving force of her story.
At this point in the story, I’m seeing much more of Marianne’s character as easily swayed by appearances and manners, quick to judgment and rather stubborn in her opinions.
This is my first exposure to S&S, and it seems quicker to action than P&P was. There wasn’t much discussion of Edward & Elinor to give insight about him, only that Elinor didn’t return his affection at the same level. And then the Dashwoods moved!
I think Jane and Elizabeth demonstrate sisters who know their differences in temperament and understand one another deeply.
I agree with other commenters that Elinor is more prudent, self-controlled, and wise beyond her age where marianne is rash and emotionally turbulent. But rather than chalking it up to personality differences, Marianne seems actually confused at her sister’s patterns of thinking. “How can she not think how I think or feel what I feel” seems to be M’s hanging question.
I liked Caitlin’s point about the Dashwoods opening from a place of grief. That certainly would impact the extremes of both dashwood sister’s behaviors.
To me, it seems that Jane and Elizabeth, like the Dashwoods, have differences in temperament, but they interact on more equal footing. Elizabeth is very witty and observant of people (although not always as observant as she thinks she is), while Jane is more forgiving and willing to reserve judgment, although she sometimes takes this too far. They sometimes offer reasonable corrections of each other’s behavior, but both have a very high respect for the other’s temperament and abilities. With Elinor and Marianne, however, the virtue and prudence is almost entirely on Elinor’s side, while Marianne’s temperament and choices lead her to disappointment and damage her reputation. Elinor and Marianne seem to have a relationship in which one sister can learn prudence and maturity from the other rather than one in which both people exhibit traits the other should try to emulate.
I think a key difference between the Bennet sisters and the Dashwood sisters is actually the fact that from the opening pages the Dashwoods are in a season of grief and loss. What is only a possibility for the Bennets js reality for Elinor and Marianne (and their mother). In such times our characters bend to extremes. Elinor has a natural bent toward protecting her family and does so at her own expense. (A natural tendency of many an eldest daughter, Jane shares this quality.) And Lizzy is not without her own rash intemperance, which is the driving force of her story.
I agree completely!
At this point in the story, I’m seeing much more of Marianne’s character as easily swayed by appearances and manners, quick to judgment and rather stubborn in her opinions.
This is my first exposure to S&S, and it seems quicker to action than P&P was. There wasn’t much discussion of Edward & Elinor to give insight about him, only that Elinor didn’t return his affection at the same level. And then the Dashwoods moved!
I’m looking forward to the story unfolding...
I think Jane and Elizabeth demonstrate sisters who know their differences in temperament and understand one another deeply.
I agree with other commenters that Elinor is more prudent, self-controlled, and wise beyond her age where marianne is rash and emotionally turbulent. But rather than chalking it up to personality differences, Marianne seems actually confused at her sister’s patterns of thinking. “How can she not think how I think or feel what I feel” seems to be M’s hanging question.
I liked Caitlin’s point about the Dashwoods opening from a place of grief. That certainly would impact the extremes of both dashwood sister’s behaviors.