] The whole mis-matched lovers theme and people wanting the wrong person runs all through this story. Much of this could equally be applied to the Elinor/Edward/Lucy triangle as well.

There is much mis-matching in the book, including the obviously mis-matched Palmers. I feel that much of the distaste that some readers have for the Brandon to Marianne attraction is the age difference, as has been discussed on other threads. He is slightly more twice her age -- a 35 year old MAN yearning after a 17 year old GIRL (and that is what she is, not a woman)in our society would be all over the National Inquirer, and he would probably be facing court-ordered counselling at the very least.