Would the effort involved in working be worth it?

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Would the effort involved in working be worth it? Written by Pennie (9/18/2006 10:42 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, I totally agree that it's relative, penned by Jan

Is it even worth it for the Dashwoods to bother working to supplement their income?

As I understand, the only employment available for women of their station was to be a governess. I seem to remember from a post somewhere on P&P (sorry can't find any) that a governess would earn 50 pounds a year. So for Mrs D, Elinor and Marianne to work as governesses (Margaret is too young), they would receive an only an extra 150 pounds a year, to top up their existing 500. Is it worth it, not just considering the loss of rank, but for the loss of leisure time, and being required to leave your family? It depends on the disposition of the person. If even prudent Elinor doesn't consider this an option, I imagine it really wasn't worth it.

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Do these words seem familiar to you? JulieW (9/17/2006 9:04 a.m.)

Though there is the distinct difference... Tracy W (9/17/2006 9:45 p.m.)
- Thats not my point( such as it is) JulieW (9/18/2006 2:59 a.m.)
  - If I understood the tone Laraine (9/18/2006 9:03 a.m.)
- 4 people and 3 servants Barbara (9/18/2006 1:46 a.m.)
  - I agree Jan (9/18/2006 1:34 p.m.)
    - Its a comparative poverty, Jan JulieW (9/18/2006 3:27 p.m.)
      - I totally agree that it's relative   Jan (9/18/2006 5:39 p.m.)
        
        Its a trap,"gentility",isn't it?   JulieW (9/19/2006 4:38 a.m.)
        
        Would the effort involved in working be worth it?   Pennie (9/18/2006 10:42 p.m.)
        
        Well JA appears to have regarded her earnings...   Tracy W (9/19/2006 2:13 a.m.)
      - And England was very poor in absolute terms at the time Tracy W (9/18/2006 5:00 p.m.)
      - Thank you Julie, JeannetteF (9/18/2006 3:56 p.m.)
        
        I'qm not sure we are given JulieW (9/19/2006 7:39 a.m.)
    - Money and economies for Mrs. Dashwood Barbara (9/18/2006 2:47 p.m.)
      - Perhaps she had never had to save. Jan (9/18/2006 5:09 p.m.)
    - Good point about the daughters Caroline (9/18/2006 2:19 p.m.)
      - Austenuations, please   Barbara (9/18/2006 2:41 p.m.)
        
        Clarification, please   Caroline (9/18/2006 8:50 p.m.)
        
        Spelling it out.   Barbara (9/18/2006 11:23 p.m.)
        
        okay   Caroline (9/19/2006 12:13 p.m.)
        
        No, that's not what I'm saying   Barbara (9/19/2006 1:21 p.m.)
  - That's the way I think about it Laraine (9/18/2006 8:57 a.m.)
  - Servants not as lavish as they seem Delories (9/18/2006 5:05 a.m.)
    - Excellent perspective, Delories... Elizabeth Sycamore (9/18/2006 9:27 p.m.)
Very familiar... Moni (9/17/2006 10:44 a.m.)
- Similiar cirumstances... Mandy N (9/17/2006 12:38 p.m.)
Thanks for the interesting insight! *nfm* LaurieC (9/17/2006 10:39 a.m.)
Gosh, Julie thanks a lot. Reeba (9/17/2006 9:35 a.m.)
- The opinion of the rich Mary Ellen (9/18/2006 8:44 p.m.)
- Fanny vs. JA's brothers Maisy (9/17/2006 10:08 a.m.)
  - Margaret's education Tina T (9/17/2006 10:21 a.m.)

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