Posted by CK on July 27, 1997 at 16:15:26:
In reply to Re: Mr and Mrs Elton posted by Kali on July 27, 1997 at 08:06:01
While I agree that there is not true love between the two, I believe that they are well suited for each other and deserve one other. Each fulfils a social climbing need in the other. Mr. Elton was in love with Miss Hawkins's money and her supposed sophistication. "He [Mr. Elton] had the air of congratulating himself on having brought such a woman to Highbury, as not even Miss Woodhouse could equal..." On Mrs. Elton's part, I'm sure she not only liked his stability, but his standing in society. Mrs. Elton thought her husband equalled Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill or anyone else in community stature and with her marriage to Mr. Elton, I'm sure she thought they should reign supreme over Hartfield society.
In many respects, they are the perfect match for one another. While Harriet was a better person and would have brought out better qualities in Mr. Elton, she would not have been able to satisfy his vanity, especially after it was revealed that she was the illegitimate daughter of a tradesman. I'm not sure Mr. Elton would be able to love anyone without his ego being fed as well.