Unrepentant Wrongdoer

Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message

Unrepentant Wrongdoer Written by Robbin (10/13/2009 9:40 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, WIllougby's repentance, penned by Bridget D

I can’t take Willoughby’s repentance at face value because he has an excuse for everything he did wrong and he blames others for his situation and it makes me think he does not believe he has done anything very wrong. I agree if Willoughby truly repented he would try to make some amends with Eliza and IMO he might also try to change his ways but he tells Elinor he will make no effort to change unless she and hers will take an interest in his fate:

Elinor assured him that she did; that she forgave, pitied, wished him well -- was even interested in his happiness -- and added some gentle counsel as to the behaviour most likely to promote it. His answer was not very encouraging.

"As to that," said he, "I must rub through the world as well as I can. Domestic happiness is out of the question. If, however, I am allowed to think that you and yours feel an interest in my fate and actions, it may be the means -- it may put me on my guard -- at least, it will be something to live for. Marianne, to be sure, is lost to me for ever. Were I even, by any blessed chance, at liberty again -- " (Ch. 44)

Elinor gave Willoughby guidance and he threw it back in her face. I do not think he is going to change if they take an interest in him rather he just wants to maintain a connection to them. (Why he wants a connection is another post!) My point is Willoughby does not need guidance to be a better man, he is not ignorant of what is right and wrong, what he needs is the will to be a better man. IMHO Willoughby does not want to be a better man. (:D)

Previous message | Next message | Board index

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.)

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