] On this read, I'm more worried about Elinor. If she's like this at nineteen, what is she going to be like at forty?

I remember reading a review of "Little Women" that said that the trouble with Meg (the eldest) is that she behaves like a woman of forty. I'm sorry, but I have the same problem with Elinor! I *know* she's had to over-compensate for her rather irresponsible and overly emotional mother and sister, but still, it seems somewhat sad that she should be so utterly focused on propriety and self-control at such an early age. At forty, I can picture her as a rather formidable lady who makes others feel ill at ease because they can't live up to her standards!

I agree with you about Marianne - I don't know if you saw my post about her? I've linked it below.