do we understand Edward (S&S)? Just gobsmacked a thought that may not have been raised about Edward Ferrars. True enough, nothing in S&S suggest it, but to draw from a Shakespeare; "by indirections, find directions out." -Polonius in Hamlet? Perhaps Edward's initial attraction to Elinor was not so much infatuation, but he realized he had a sister-in-law connection who is worthy. After all, many men of character will attach to non-related females, those whom he would wish were blood kin. Edward's brother Robert is a coxcombe (sp? as in the book?) and his sister Fanny is cruel and greedy, as illustrated to a lesser or greater extent within the adaptions, and John Dashwood, the connecting link, does not have the calcium in his back of a paving stone. Now he meet Elinor. It is not long that he see qualities that he may realize Lucy does not have. I think he want a respectable sister, but the story time line march on. I submit Elinor's and Edward's time together at Norland to be honorable. He was genuinely fond of her as a sister, even Marianne and Margaret, but Marianne is a bit annoying and Margaret a bit on the young side, even though certain roles for big brothers/little sisters may have been appropriate, even then. It may be confusing if the door opened up for an attachment that is more marital than kindred.https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?4,120039,120039#msg-120039Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:59:56 +0100 Phorum 5.2.22 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?4,120039,120047#msg-120047 Re: do we understand Edward (SS)?https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?4,120039,120047#msg-120047
There is certainly some grey zone in the accepted interactions between unattached young men and women where one party may wish for/imagine more in terms of the other party's feelings, and there was little opportunity to be open about feelings. At the same time, as Colonel Fitzwilliam does at Rosings, one can find the way to indicate whether there is an attachment/intention on their side or not. Elinor does, indeed, start to doubt Edward's affection for her when he withdraws, behaves in a diffident and dejected way.

However, Edward himself, at the end of the novel, attests that his feelings were romantic in nature and quite engaged: as soon as he knows that he is free from Lucy he runs to Elinor and tries to win her. Also, he admits that although he tried to downply the strength of his feelings for Elinor even to himself, they were awakened:

Quote
S&S, Ch. 49., Edward
"I was simple enough to think, that because my faith was plighted to another, there could be no danger in my being with you; and that the consciousness of my engagement was to keep my heart as safe and sacred as my honour. I felt that I admired you, but I told myself it was only friendship; and till I began to make comparisons between yourself and Lucy, I did not know how far I was got. After that, I suppose, I was wrong in remaining so much in Sussex, and the arguments with which I reconciled myself to the expediency of it were no better than these: -- The danger is my own; I am doing no injury to anybody but myself."
]]> Agnes Beatrix Tea RoomFri, 19 Feb 2016 19:57:45 +0000 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?4,120039,120039#msg-120039 do we understand Edward (SS)?https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?4,120039,120039#msg-120039Hamlet?

Perhaps Edward's initial attraction to Elinor was not so much infatuation, but he realized he had a sister-in-law connection who is worthy. After all, many men of character will attach to non-related females, those whom he would wish were blood kin. Edward's brother Robert is a coxcombe (sp? as in the book?) and his sister Fanny is cruel and greedy, as illustrated to a lesser or greater extent within the adaptions, and John Dashwood, the connecting link, does not have the calcium in his back of a paving stone. Now he meet Elinor. It is not long that he see qualities that he may realize Lucy does not have. I think he want a respectable sister, but the story time line march on.

I submit Elinor's and Edward's time together at Norland to be honorable. He was genuinely fond of her as a sister, even Marianne and Margaret, but Marianne is a bit annoying and Margaret a bit on the young side, even though certain roles for big brothers/little sisters may have been appropriate, even then. It may be confusing if the door opened up for an attachment that is more marital than kindred.]]> Rae Elaine Tea RoomFri, 19 Feb 2016 17:57:32 +0000