I agree about hindsight

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I agree about hindsight Written by Barb JA (9/16/2009 8:21 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, 20/20 hindsight, penned by Karen G.

When all these faults and inconsistencies of Willoughby are lined up, it makes you wonder why the family didn't dislike him.

But the positive characteristics of Willoughby must have outweighed the bad in their eyes, because even Elinor said after he left
"I love Willoughby, sincerely love him; and suspicion of his integrity cannot be more painful to yourself than to me. It has been involuntary, and I will not encourage it. I was startled, I confess, by the alteration in his manners this morning; he did not speak like himself, and did not return your kindness with any cordiality"

Anyway, Elinor alerts us more than once to the amazing idea, considering the openness of Marianne and Willoughby, that the family would be left to discover their engagement by accident. This to me is the first sign that something is badly amiss.

PS. I decided to go look for quotes because I knew I was paraphrasing "by accident" and it seems Elinor alerted us 3 times. Right after the offer of Queen Mab in Ch.12,

From that moment she doubted not of their being engaged to each other; and the belief of it created no other surprise, than that she, or any of their friends, should be left by tempers so frank to discover it by accident.

and again in ch. 14 right after Colonel Brandon leaves. There's actually a paragraph and a half about it, but here's just a portion.

Why they should not openly acknowledge to her mother and herself, what their constant behaviour to each other declared to have taken place, Elinor could not imagine.

Then she voices these thoughts aloud to her mother after Willoughby leaves.

So when this begins to sink in for a first time reader, I don't know. I can't remember in my own case. I think that Austen intended for us to rely on Elinor's judgement(since she seems to be the only character displaying any).

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Where did things start to go wrong? Karen G (9/14/2009 2:13 p.m.)

Something wrong from his first visit Robbin (9/15/2009 12:22 p.m.)
- Another Clue BarbaraB (9/15/2009 3:55 p.m.)
  - Jennings Daily News- LOL! nfm Barb JA (9/16/2009 10:19 a.m.)
- Poverty and horses Barbara (9/15/2009 1:42 p.m.)
  - Horses Aruna (9/15/2009 9:58 p.m.)
    - But would she still admire him...? Barbara (9/16/2009 1:00 a.m.)
Chapter 11, paragraph 5 .... Rachel G (9/14/2009 3:28 p.m.)
- Yet, Karen G (9/14/2009 4:22 p.m.)
  - Should we be worried given Willoughby's age? kathleen (elder) (9/14/2009 4:34 p.m.)
    - Twenty-five Karen G. (9/15/2009 11:57 p.m.)
      - being 25... Leah Noel (9/16/2009 1:13 p.m.)
        
        Excellent point! nfm Melissa K. (9/16/2009 4:33 p.m.)
    - Allenham Rachel G (9/14/2009 4:59 p.m.)
      - 20/20 hindsight   Karen G. (9/15/2009 11:55 p.m.)
        
        I agree about hindsight   Barb JA (9/16/2009 8:21 a.m.)
        
        On first read, I was too annoyed w/ Marianne   kathleen (elder) (9/16/2009 5:27 a.m.)
        
        me, too   Karen G (9/16/2009 10:53 a.m.)
- Willoughby and Wentworth Heather Leigh (9/14/2009 4:16 p.m.)
- Seasons Barbara (9/14/2009 3:35 p.m.)
Back in Ch. 13 Barbara (9/14/2009 2:36 p.m.)
The Dashwood women accepted Willoughby kathleen (elder) (9/14/2009 2:23 p.m.)
- Not only at face value Outi (9/15/2009 2:57 a.m.)
  - Does Sir John know about Willoughby's family kathleen (elder) (9/15/2009 5:22 a.m.)
    - Sir John gives some information Outi (9/15/2009 1:27 p.m.)
      - And Outi (9/15/2009 1:55 p.m.)
        
        I agree that Sir John had nothing negative to say kathleen (elder) (9/15/2009 2:56 p.m.)
    - He knows Willoughby usually sleeps in until noon Barbara (9/15/2009 1:21 p.m.)
      - Tendency towards dissipation   Robbin (9/17/2009 5:40 p.m.)
        
        8 is not his usual time   Barbara (9/17/2009 5:51 p.m.)
        
        Up at 8 a.m.   Carol J. (9/20/2009 5:18 p.m.)
        
        But it was also very out of the ordinary for him (nfm)   Barbara (9/20/2009 7:13 p.m.)
        
        Thanks, I see now! (:D) nfm   Robbin (9/17/2009 6:22 p.m.)
    - Best little dog Barb JA (9/15/2009 8:36 a.m.)

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