Posted by Cassia on May 29, 1997 at 15:01:20:
In reply to Re: Yikes! / Darcy,Knightly and Anne posted by Ann on May 29, 1997 at 13:51:52
] ] Knightly could hardly ... suddenly play the lovesick fool.
] That's not what I am suggesting. If he didn't think Frank was good enough for Emma, shouldn't he have interfered and tried to steer her away from him? This has nothing to do with steering her toward himself.
] ] Darcy was doing a good for his sister by trying to avoid scandel.
] How does this differ from Fanny's not wanting to be exiled from the home she loves? Darcy was protecting only his pride and his sister's reputation, Fanny has a lot more to lose and protect.
] ] Ann it's true sat back and waited but she had a plan for herself that was to live if needs be with Lady R.
] So that lessens her culpability--because she has a way out for herself, if her father makes a silly marriage? What does that have to do with preventing a loved one from making a mistake, which is the offence you give to Fanny.
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I think that some people are being highly idelistic about this issue. No Fanny does not speak up because she know she will not be heard. This does not effect her moral compass, however, She does know, better than the Bertrams what is right and she nearly always tries to get the others to follow her, they do not. Should she have tried harder? Most likey, but moral duplicity is one of the major themes of the novel and I don't think that JA meant Fannay to be a lone saint in the wilderness, therefore she has her moral foibles as well. Being good and being Perfect are greatly different things. Fanny is not perfect but she is good, that's why dhe nearly always makes me nauseous.
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