Comparing the confessions

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Comparing the confessions Written by Barbara (10/11/2009 6:21 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, What this says about Willoughby---and Brandon, penned by Mary Anne

I was really comparing what Colonel Brandon said in Ch.31 to Willoughby's confession in Ch. 44 as I read.

These are some of the thoughts that struck me:

--Colonel Brandon finishes with "I would not have suffered myself to trouble you with this account of my family afflictions, with a recital which may seem to have been intended to raise myself at the expense of others."

Not only does Willoughby try to raise himself at the expense of others (Sophia, Mrs. Smith, Eliza, and Colonel Brandon), but he takes a stab at Brandon at least three times while he's talking to Elinor. There's the line you quoted about Brandon labelling him as being 'capable of anything'.
He also says "Remember from whom you received the account [about the affair with Eliza]. Could it be an impartial one?" Is he suggesting that Colonel Brandon would lie or exaggerate about what happened? We (and Elinor) know that the colonel did not embellish the story at all.

Right at the end of Ch. 44, Willoughby laments the prospect of one day hearing that Marianne is married:

"But she will be gained by some one else. And if that some one should be the very he whom, of all others, I could least bear -- But I will not stay to rob myself of all your compassionate good-will, by showing that where I have most injured I can least forgive."

Yet another stab at the colonel. Why should it be so hard for Willoughby to bear the idea that the girl he rejected had instead married someone who is kind, respectable, wealthy, and who adores her? Would he rather see Marianne never marry? Or marry someone who will be unfaithful to her or have a hard time providing for her or be rude and indifferent to her?

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She shall forgive me again, and on more reasonable grounds Robbin (10/10/2009 3:05 a.m.)

Comparing confessions. (longish) nan duval (10/16/2009 11:18 p.m.)
- Great summary - MarianneR (10/21/2009 4:21 a.m.)
- Lovely summary of Marianne's repentance, nfm Barb JA (10/17/2009 8:35 a.m.)
  - I agree. Nan you are so clever! nfm (:D) Robbin (10/18/2009 12:17 a.m.)
How can one even think of it... Reeba (10/11/2009 5:14 p.m.)
- PS: There's a time to play, and a time to work.... Reeba (10/13/2009 10:05 a.m.)
  - Monster behind the Mask Robbin (10/13/2009 5:35 p.m.)
- A comfort to W to know how M would look dead? Cathy Allen (10/12/2009 11:13 a.m.)
So how could Elinor and Marianne forgive him? MarianneR (10/11/2009 2:04 p.m.)
- Why wouldn't Elinor forgive? Outi (10/12/2009 2:32 p.m.)
  - Unmerited Forgiveness Robbin (10/14/2009 12:38 a.m.)
  - Elinor's attitude towards Willoughby LouAnn (10/12/2009 3:03 p.m.)
- Elinor is in a vulnerable state of mind. Reeba (10/11/2009 4:08 p.m.)
  - Marrying Eliza Bridget D (10/12/2009 1:53 a.m.)
    - He Had Finished With Her maud l (10/12/2009 1:58 a.m.)
      - intent to marry   Bridget D (10/12/2009 2:11 a.m.)
        
        In defence of Eliza   Elizabeth K (10/12/2009 6:29 a.m.)
        
        Eliza's fault?   Bridget D (10/15/2009 4:23 a.m.)
        
        If we knew when Eliza's birthday was...   Cathy Allen (10/15/2009 11:11 a.m.)
        
        Statutory   Bridget D (10/15/2009 1:18 p.m.)
        
        Willoughby and Eliza (again!)   Elizabeth K (10/16/2009 8:42 a.m.)
        
        Marianne seduced   CarolTS (10/16/2009 5:37 p.m.)
        
        Even good girls can be weak on occasion :-)   kathleen (elder) (10/16/2009 5:52 p.m.)
        
        Marianne   BarbaraB (10/17/2009 11:27 a.m.)
        
        Rationalizing her behaviour   Barbara (10/16/2009 9:23 p.m.)
        
        Marianne seduced?   Bridget D (10/17/2009 5:22 a.m.)
        
        So, no good, moral young woman every gave in   kathleen (elder) (10/17/2009 5:43 a.m.)
        
        I agree   Robbin (10/18/2009 12:15 a.m.)
        
        Of course they did!   Outi (10/17/2009 10:30 a.m.)
        
        I agree   Ramya (10/17/2009 12:26 p.m.)
        
        Jane Austen's Marianne   Bridget D (10/17/2009 6:06 a.m.)
        
        Any Marianne   BarbaraB (10/17/2009 1:54 p.m.)
        
        Marianne as seducible   Bridget D (10/18/2009 7:31 a.m.)
        
        Austen's heroines   Elizabeth K (10/18/2009 11:38 a.m.)
        
        principles versus convention   Bridget D (10/19/2009 7:09 a.m.)
        
        Time to stop this discussion   kathleen (elder) (10/19/2009 7:36 a.m.)
        
        I think many young women, including fictional   kathleen (elder) (10/17/2009 7:08 a.m.)
        
        If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right   TimLee (10/16/2009 10:46 p.m.)
        
        Good Point   maud l (10/16/2009 6:06 p.m.)
        
        well I'll agree to disagree   Bridget D (10/16/2009 2:08 p.m.)
        
        Which is exactly what you've been saying   CarolTS (10/15/2009 5:11 p.m.)
        
        Exactly, Cathy Allen.   Elizabeth K (10/15/2009 1:14 p.m.)
        
        She had no money   kathleen (elder) (10/12/2009 6:26 a.m.)
        
        I wonder...   Barbara (10/12/2009 12:18 p.m.)
        
        Exactly.   nan duval (10/12/2009 10:09 a.m.)
  - She's also had next to no sleep Barbara (10/11/2009 5:56 p.m.)
- Elinor's forgiveness. Rachel G (10/11/2009 3:37 p.m.)
  - Distraction; Elinor's wedge (part 2); cooler reflection in ch45 Tom P2 (10/11/2009 6:44 p.m.)
Forgiving Willoughby Rachel G (10/10/2009 8:46 p.m.)
- I think he's actrually... Reeba (10/11/2009 4:13 p.m.)
Does ANYONE agree that W explained himself? Let's vote! Cathy Allen (10/10/2009 4:15 p.m.)
- No, I don't, because... Reeba (10/11/2009 3:08 p.m.)
- Taking your question literally... Rachel G (10/10/2009 8:49 p.m.)
  - Excuse me, does ANYONE feel that W vindicated himself? Cathy Allen (10/11/2009 12:55 p.m.)
    - My apologies, Cathy Allen. Rachel G (10/11/2009 1:21 p.m.)
  - I like your summary very much, Rachel G Outi (10/11/2009 5:08 a.m.)
  - WIllougby's repentance Bridget D (10/11/2009 5:05 a.m.)
    - Unrepentant Wrongdoer Robbin (10/13/2009 9:40 a.m.)
    - Like a child Barbara (10/11/2009 6:08 p.m.)
      - More like a spoilt brat. One of Lady M's own :-D nfm Reeba (10/12/2009 6:48 a.m.)
      - Yeah, he lost the package deal   Karen G. (10/11/2009 10:35 p.m.)
        
        And of course, the spoiled brat   nan duval (10/12/2009 10:12 a.m.)
        
        Ooooo -- VERY well said, nan! (nfm)   Cathy Allen (10/12/2009 10:44 a.m.)
- No maud l (10/10/2009 5:46 p.m.)
What this says about Willoughby---and Brandon Mary Anne (10/10/2009 10:15 a.m.)
- The horsewhip? I believe that TimLee has it. Graciela (10/11/2009 11:22 p.m.)
- Comparing the confessions Barbara (10/11/2009 6:21 p.m.)
  - Dread of One Event Robbin (10/14/2009 12:31 a.m.)
    - Omission of the duel. Rachel G (10/14/2009 1:34 p.m.)
      - But weren't duels illegal? Outi (10/16/2009 1:33 p.m.)
        
        Very true. Rachel G (10/16/2009 1:55 p.m.)
      - Willoughby's dread of Marianne's marriage   Barbara (10/14/2009 2:40 p.m.)
        
        Col Brandon�s Advantage   Robbin (10/14/2009 8:47 p.m.)
        
        Money again...   MarianneR (10/15/2009 4:47 a.m.)
  - further comparison Karen G. (10/11/2009 10:24 p.m.)
    - I like the word *performer* for Willoughby. nfm Reeba (10/12/2009 12:53 p.m.)
  - No embellishments Mary Anne (10/11/2009 8:15 p.m.)
- Excellent analysis Reeba (10/11/2009 4:19 p.m.)
- Wonderful insight, nfm Barb JA (10/11/2009 8:56 a.m.)

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