Ardour of mind

Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message

Ardour of mind Written by Robbin (9/25/2009 11:49 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, More of Marianne's inconsistencies., penned by Anselm

Interesting post Anselm and it got me to thinking about what is that quality that makes Marianne and Willoughby click from their first meeting? When Marianne says “it is disposition alone” (Ch. 12) that determines intimacy I think she means “natural fitness; quality * temper of mind * affection of kindness or ill-will * predominate inclination” (Johnson’s 1797). Marianne says she does not know John after years of living with him and time and opportunity are irrelevant because he is by nature unable (“not the strong feelings of the rest of the family”) or by choice unwilling (“cold hearted, and rather selfish”) to open up to her. However Willoughby has:

“a natural ardour of mind, which was now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which recommended him to her affection beyond everything else” (Ch. 10)

Their shared ardour instantly created a feeling of intimacy. So while Marianne knows little of John after years of living in the same house, of Willoughby she is able to form a favorable judgment quickly and easily. Marianne believes she knows Willoughby but is that true? In their first visit (Ch. 10) he quickly fell into all her enthusiasms even when the works in question had been little regarded before. Was he agreeing just to make a good impression? Has he been dishonest in representing himself in other ways? I think disposition can make for a quick intimacy but only time and opportunity, which Marianne dismisses as of no importance, will tell if it is a true and equal one. (:D)

Previous message | Next message | Board index

Self-Portrait? Robbin (9/20/2009 10:43 p.m.)

Both Sides of the Picture... Moni (9/22/2009 8:31 a.m.)
- An Eternity of Weeks Robbin (9/30/2009 2:42 p.m.)
  - Good reading,,, Moni (10/5/2009 7:12 a.m.)
    - Edward & Marianne Robbin (10/5/2009 4:20 p.m.)
      - Yes, good points ;-) (nfm) Moni (10/6/2009 8:59 p.m.)
- Parallels Barb JA (9/26/2009 9:02 a.m.)
  - Misguided, Stupid & Manipulative Robbin (9/30/2009 2:26 p.m.)
  - Growing up... Moni (9/27/2009 9:08 a.m.)
- The grief factor LouAnn (9/22/2009 12:34 p.m.)
  - Good points... Moni (9/23/2009 8:37 a.m.)
Childishness BarbaraB (9/21/2009 7:26 p.m.)
- More than one way to corrupt a child Robbin (9/30/2009 2:28 p.m.)
  - In Agreement nfm BarbaraB (10/4/2009 12:37 p.m.)
- interesting Karen G. (9/22/2009 8:46 p.m.)
Not so self aware Barb JA (9/21/2009 9:24 a.m.)
- More of Marianne's inconsistencies. Anselm (9/21/2009 11:27 a.m.)
  - Ardour of mind Robbin (9/25/2009 11:49 a.m.)
    - I still think CarolTS (9/25/2009 6:05 p.m.)
      - Not sold on Willoughby   Robbin (9/26/2009 4:36 p.m.)
        
        Great reading, Robbin ;-) (nfm)   Moni (9/27/2009 9:11 a.m.)
        
        1st dates   CarolTS (9/26/2009 7:47 p.m.)
        
        Politic Politeness or Guile   Robbin (9/28/2009 10:55 a.m.)
        
        Purposefully murky   Barb JA (9/28/2009 12:11 p.m.)
        
        Suspiciously agreeable, He is   Robbin (10/2/2009 11:34 a.m.)
        
        You don't have to convince me   Barb JA (10/3/2009 7:33 a.m.)
        
        First read.   Rachel G (10/3/2009 12:21 p.m.)
        
        Nice Analysis of the Subject nfm   BarbaraB (10/4/2009 12:33 p.m.)
        
        I think there is some genuine shared interest there   Barbara (10/2/2009 12:38 p.m.)
        
        Pretending Sensibility?   Robbin (10/2/2009 2:57 p.m.)
        
        Sensiblity = virtue ?   CarolTS (10/2/2009 6:02 p.m.)
        
        Poverty of the Soul   Robbin (10/2/2009 11:57 p.m.)
        
        To Marianne, they are   Barbara (10/2/2009 7:01 p.m.)
        
        Maybe that's one thing she's learning   CarolTS (10/2/2009 7:15 p.m.)
        
        Inconsistencies.... Marianne's and JA's?   Anselm (9/29/2009 7:29 a.m.)
        
        Tolerably fixed opinions   Barbara (9/29/2009 2:57 p.m.)
        
        Agreeing with herself- LOL   Barb JA (9/29/2009 8:22 a.m.)
      - Repertoire of romantic literature? Barbara (9/25/2009 7:02 p.m.)
        
        We know that men read them too CarolTS (9/26/2009 1:38 a.m.)

Groupread is maintained by Myretta with WebBBS 3.21.

View thread | Previous message | Next message Board index

- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index

Home

Site Map

JAInfo