Negativity or neutrality?

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Negativity or neutrality? Written by Rachel G (10/6/2011 3:44 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Maybe I'm reading more into the comments..., penned by gianni

Taken on it's own the statement "Lady Russell had little taste for wit" could equally imply distaste or indifference to wit, but I think the meaning is clear if we look at the context. That statement is embedded in whole string of half a dozen repeated negatives.

"Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently. His sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on her. She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil. It only added a dangerous character to himself. He was brilliant, he was headstrong. Lady Russell had little taste for wit, and of any thing approaching to imprudence a horror. She deprecated the connexion in every light."

JA is practically bashing us over the head here with Lady Russell's disapproval, so I cannot see this as a neutral statement and am convinced that she disliked Frederick's wit as much as she disliked his other characteristics.

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Chapter Four and Lady Russell Adele W (10/3/2011 10:47 p.m.)

Lady Russell in the middle Kevin S. (10/3/2011 11:57 p.m.)
- Mea culpa Kevin S. (10/4/2011 12:22 a.m.)
  - Very well thought-out interpretations of Lady Russell here.. jeffrey (10/4/2011 9:28 a.m.)
    - And yet Kathryn Ann (10/7/2011 12:34 a.m.)
      - talents and independence Nikki N (10/7/2011 2:22 a.m.)
      - But that's not the meaning... gianni (10/7/2011 4:10 a.m.)
  - The Musgrove's rank Cheryl (10/4/2011 10:54 a.m.)
- These are Sir Walter's thoughs on the Musgroves: Graciela (10/4/2011 12:27 a.m.)
Lady Russell and Capt Wentworth Nikki N (10/4/2011 2:56 a.m.)
- No taste for wit Cheryl (10/4/2011 10:57 a.m.)
  - I thought that too... Adele W (10/4/2011 11:11 a.m.)
    - I'm not sure Jean B (10/4/2011 1:34 p.m.)
    - What would Anne think? Robbin (10/4/2011 1:48 p.m.)
      - Good point -- it's rather unlikely then. (nfm) Adele W (10/4/2011 1:55 p.m.)
  - Perhaps she's just solid and serious? Debra R (10/4/2011 1:58 p.m.)
    - Very true. Adele W (10/4/2011 2:02 p.m.)
      - Very difficult! Erica M. (10/4/2011 3:14 p.m.)
        
        Anne in society Nikki N (10/5/2011 4:47 a.m.)
  - Perhaps her husband was serious? kathleen (elder) (10/4/2011 5:03 p.m.)
  - Maybe I'm reading more into the comments... gianni (10/6/2011 3:09 a.m.)
    - Negativity or neutrality? Rachel G (10/6/2011 3:44 a.m.)
      - Agree nfm BarbaraB (10/6/2011 9:00 a.m.)
I too tend to dislike Lady Russell... LisaAnne (10/4/2011 11:22 a.m.)
- to dispel the agitation of the idea Stephanie (10/4/2011 11:58 a.m.)
  - Fabulous point! LisaAnne (10/4/2011 2:29 p.m.)
- The downside of the engagement to FW Louise H (10/4/2011 3:28 p.m.)
  - A very good point. Debra R (10/4/2011 4:08 p.m.)
    - being prudent, and self-denying principally for [him] Stephanie (10/4/2011 5:56 p.m.)
      - Because she would hold him back? Louise H (10/4/2011 8:36 p.m.)
  - Why couldn't Frederick wait? Rachel G (10/4/2011 6:26 p.m.)
  - What Lady Russell might have feared. Graciela (10/6/2011 2:46 p.m.)

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