I found myself in tears over the second half of this week's chapters. I don't know why, because previous reads have left me feeling for Marianne, but somehow I was emotionally drawn into her behaviour as well. Twas also a little embarassing to be reading this on the train and trying to hide tears.

The difference in how the two sisters handle their hearbreak is interesting. Elinor hides her's from everyone, partly to help her own recovery, and partly to avoid hurting those close to her. In the long term, her attitude is probably the better as she seems to be coping fairly well with the 'loss' of Edward. However in the short term I felt for her, as she had no one to turn to, and well, she should have someone to turn to!

Marianne instead goes to extremes, but I can't help thinking that in the short term, if only she had toned it down a little, her way of coping was better. Mrs J told Elinor that it was probably best for Marianne to have her cry and get it out of her system. Elinor begged Marianne to exert herself for the sake of those around her, but Elinor forgot that she, Mrs Jennings and all of Marianne's friends were quite happy to help Marianne in her grief.