Negative view of Willoughby

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Negative view of Willoughby Written by Robbin (10/15/2009 8:04 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, too negative, penned by Bridget D

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. (Ch. 44)

If, as you say, Willoughby does not deserve to be seen as negatively (as I see him) then can you please give some explanation, perhaps examples from the text that support your opinion? What are Willoughby’s good points? On what basis do you believe Willoughby is not irreclaimably bad? Does that mean you think he can reform? In Ch. 44 (above) Elinor gives Willoughby some advice on how to promote his happiness. Willoughby brushes it off without consideration. This suggests to me he has no interest in changing his behavior and the will to change is essential before any improvement can be made. So far I do not see any evidence in the text Willoughby is willing or capable of reforming his ways or his character. I can only go by the text which I believe supports a very negative view of Willoughby. (:D)

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I think in Ch.44 Willoughby is 'genuine' ... Rachel G (10/12/2009 8:50 p.m.)

Most of the posters in this and related threads Anselm (10/14/2009 4:40 a.m.)
- too negative Bridget D (10/15/2009 4:14 a.m.)
  - Negative view of Willoughby Robbin (10/15/2009 8:04 p.m.)
    - Willoughby again Bridget D (10/16/2009 4:44 a.m.)
      - Willougby and Edward   Bridget D (10/16/2009 5:30 a.m.)
        
        Molest Them?   Robbin (10/18/2009 1:30 a.m.)
        
        Sorry I made a mistake   Bridget D (10/18/2009 7:34 a.m.)
        
        You know   Karen G (10/19/2009 5:33 p.m.)
        
        Thank you   Robbin (10/19/2009 2:04 a.m.)
        
        That's Also What I Thought   maud l (10/18/2009 3:55 a.m.)
    - I'm not sure where the onus of proof is, but... Tom P2 (10/15/2009 11:38 p.m.)
      - *The* proof...   Reeba (10/21/2009 1:38 p.m.)
        
        Is your 'proof of pudding' the same as my term 'conduct'? nfm   Tom P2 (10/21/2009 6:06 p.m.)
        
        I'm not really sure...   Reeba (10/22/2009 3:49 p.m.)
      - Well put! Outi (10/16/2009 1:19 p.m.)
      - Proof Ivonne (10/16/2009 10:25 a.m.)
      - Great points, Tom P2 Ramya (10/16/2009 9:29 a.m.)
      - Willoughby as Villain   Bridget D (10/16/2009 4:33 a.m.)
        
        Drawing the calculating line in the sand   Robbin (10/21/2009 12:05 p.m.)
        
        willougby   Bridget D (10/21/2009 3:16 p.m.)
        
        Willoughby’s Intent   Robbin (10/22/2009 11:04 a.m.)
        
        Respectable rakes and illicit careers   Barb JA (10/22/2009 11:58 a.m.)
        
        Flirtation   Barb JA (10/16/2009 12:42 p.m.)
        
        flirting   Bridget D (10/16/2009 1:56 p.m.)
        
        Flirts and selfish men   Elizabeth K (10/16/2009 8:49 a.m.)
        
        Flirting and selfish men   Bridget D (10/17/2009 6:13 a.m.)
        
        Flirtation versus Courtship   Robbin (10/21/2009 12:24 p.m.)
        
        Willoughby and marrianne   Bridget D (10/22/2009 7:20 a.m.)
        
        Adult guidance.. and further rambling   Barb JA (10/22/2009 11:01 a.m.)
        
        Age of Consent   Bridget D (10/23/2009 7:10 a.m.)
        
        Age disparity   Barb JA (10/23/2009 12:39 p.m.)
        
        Adult guidance   Bridget D (10/24/2009 2:52 a.m.)
        
        You seem to think that only foolish and/or immoral   kathleen (elder) (10/24/2009 7:22 a.m.)
        
        Agree with Kathleen (elder)   maud l (10/24/2009 11:09 p.m.)
        
        pregnancy   Bridget D (10/25/2009 3:58 a.m.)
        
        You are very, very harsh on these people, then   kathleen (elder) (10/25/2009 6:36 a.m.)
        
        I agree, Kathleen   Elizabeth K (10/25/2009 6:39 a.m.)
        
        Actually, Bridget D, it did happen in Jane Austen's world   Elizabeth K (10/25/2009 6:35 a.m.)
        
        carryings on   Bridget D (10/25/2009 6:55 a.m.)
        
        As this discussion is still going on, I feel   Reeba (10/25/2009 6:30 a.m.)
        
        One minor point -- do we know the gender of Eliza's   kathleen (elder) (10/25/2009 6:50 a.m.)
        
        oooops!! :-/ nfm   Reeba (10/25/2009 10:55 a.m.)
        
        Indiscretion   Bridget D (10/25/2009 6:44 a.m.)
        
        When you say..   Reeba (10/25/2009 10:57 a.m.)
        
        Oh dear, getting drawn in again....;-)   Elizabeth K (10/25/2009 6:53 a.m.)
        
        well to return to the basic S&S situation   Bridget D (10/25/2009 7:11 a.m.)
        
        And we are getting further off topic :-)   kathleen (elder) (10/25/2009 6:55 a.m.)
        
        Sorry, Kathleen. :-) Such an absorbing topic! ;-) (nfm)   Elizabeth K (10/25/2009 7:25 a.m.)
        
        Re ; 'her friend's father'.   Rachel G (10/24/2009 3:52 a.m.)
        
        Friend's father   Bridget D (10/24/2009 8:42 a.m.)
        
        Parental Authority & Income   Robbin (10/24/2009 12:50 p.m.)
        
        Eliza and her friend's foolishness   Bridget D (10/25/2009 3:53 a.m.)
        
        Friend's of Eliza   Robbin (10/25/2009 11:47 p.m.)
        
        Slight mistake   Bridget D (10/25/2009 5:54 a.m.)
        
        Different opinions...   Rachel G (10/22/2009 9:31 a.m.)
        
        Willoughy in book   Bridget D (10/22/2009 2:50 p.m.)
        
        Bridget D....   Elizabeth K (10/22/2009 3:19 p.m.)
        
        Well reasoned & well put. nfm   nan duval (10/21/2009 4:10 p.m.)
      - Interpreting Willoughby Rachel G (10/16/2009 1:39 a.m.)
  - I think the reason many of us hate Willoughby... Elizabeth K (10/15/2009 4:30 a.m.)
    - honourable gentleman Bridget D (10/15/2009 4:45 a.m.)
      - I suppose it depends on the way one looks at it (long) Elizabeth K (10/15/2009 8:52 a.m.)
      - Good analogy- foolish victim & opportunist Criminal : -) nfm Barb JA (10/15/2009 8:35 a.m.)
- Actually it isn´t fair... MarianneR (10/14/2009 3:42 p.m.)
- Elinors opinion of the confession Barb JA (10/14/2009 10:04 a.m.)
  - Once Elinor gains some perspective... Barbara (10/14/2009 12:58 p.m.)
    - Willoughby's Guilt - What was JA's intention? Rachel G (10/16/2009 1:14 a.m.)
    - Do you think it odd though... Barb JA (10/14/2009 6:13 p.m.)
    - Willoughby only regrets what has made him unhappy... Cathy Allen (10/14/2009 3:02 p.m.)
Nobody denies the painful, genuine.... Reeba (10/13/2009 5:06 a.m.)
- Just so! Rachel G (10/13/2009 6:39 a.m.)
don't necessarily disagree Karen G. (10/12/2009 11:57 p.m.)
- A "geniune" performer - sounds a little like Marianne? Anselm (10/13/2009 9:43 a.m.)
  - a difference Karen G (10/13/2009 10:01 a.m.)
    - Humbled....humbled....humility. Aha!!!! Anselm (10/13/2009 11:59 a.m.)
      - drama queen   Karen G. (10/13/2009 11:58 p.m.)
        
        OK, fair cop!   Anselm (10/14/2009 5:09 a.m.)
        
        I must have too much share of the conversation ;)   Karen G (10/14/2009 1:29 p.m.)
        
        Marianne’s Mindset   Robbin (10/14/2009 8:26 p.m.)
        
        I definitely agree.   Anselm (10/15/2009 6:27 a.m.)
- Mrs. Smith as part of his drama LouAnn (10/13/2009 7:30 a.m.)
- Willoughby the Performer. Rachel G (10/13/2009 3:56 a.m.)
  - I very much agree with you, Rachel G Outi (10/13/2009 12:25 p.m.)
    - Many Bad Sides Robbin (10/14/2009 2:11 a.m.)
    - And Willoughby agrees with you. ;-) Reeba (10/13/2009 3:18 p.m.)

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