Rakes
Posted by Linden on May 07, 1998 at 18:21:49:
Does anybody have a soft spot for a rake? The cads and seducers that provide much of the plot in so many novels (including JA's)?
I notice on the S&S board that some people have come out and confessed that they like Willoughby. What about the others like Henry Crawford and Wickham?
My thoughts are that JA does not really handle them well: she doesn't make them charming enough: and presumably they must be charming, or they couldn't be very successful rakes.
Some later writers - yes, including those from the Harlequin/Mills & Boon stable - manage them better: they are a serious temptation to the heroine. Sometimes, if they cease to be rakes, they get the girl ("A reformed rake makes the best husband" was the saying.) I'm thinking of Charlotte Bronte's Mr Rochester, or Georgette Heyer's Demerel in "Venetia".
In JA, however, either they don't seriously attract the heroine (eg Wickham, Mr Elliot, Henry Crawford), or if they do (Willoughby) it's because she doesn't know that he's a rake.
Thoughts, anyone?
- rakes Lynn 07:56:35 5/11/98
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- Rakes and flirts Linden 00:36:48 5/10/98
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- In Mr. Willoughby's defense.. MaureenJ 23:49:48 5/11/98
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- about that rake... P. Bingham 00:53:37 5/10/98
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- In respectful disagreement Linden 02:54:48 5/10/98
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- But isn't that the appeal of a Rake? Caroline 09:57:32 5/10/98
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- After a first seduction... Marsha 17:09:08 5/10/98
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- Not marrying rakes Linden 19:43:35 5/10/98
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- Not marrying rakes Linden 19:43:35 5/10/98
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- After a first seduction... Marsha 17:09:08 5/10/98
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- But isn't that the appeal of a Rake? Caroline 09:57:32 5/10/98
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- In respectful disagreement Linden 02:54:48 5/10/98
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- In Mr. Willoughby's defense.. MaureenJ 23:49:48 5/11/98
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- I must confess I have soft spot for Willoughby Constanza 15:51:31 5/09/98
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- Their vices Lise 18:19:38 5/08/98
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- So trivial? Constanza 10:49:49 5/09/98
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- I think so! Marsha 17:03:30 5/10/98
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- If they were so common, how comes Constanza 17:20:20 5/13/98
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- Rakes: tall, thin object with which to sweep up leaves & cuttings Leanne S 14:17:42 5/11/98
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- If they were so common, how comes Constanza 17:20:20 5/13/98
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- Anothe rword for a Rake Caroline 21:07:47 5/09/98
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- I think so! Marsha 17:03:30 5/10/98
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- So trivial? Constanza 10:49:49 5/09/98
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- Ah yes Arnessa 00:10:32 5/08/98
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- What about Henry C Sarah P 09:34:16 5/08/98
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- Bouncing back? Ann2 17:07:13 5/08/98
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- Like that saying Arnessa 23:31:17 5/09/98
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- Is that it? Caroline 09:49:14 5/10/98
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- Maybe, maybe not Arnessa 23:01:45 5/10/98
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- Maybe, maybe not Arnessa 23:01:45 5/10/98
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- Is that it? Caroline 09:49:14 5/10/98
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- Like that saying Arnessa 23:31:17 5/09/98
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- Bouncing back? Ann2 17:07:13 5/08/98
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- What about Henry C Sarah P 09:34:16 5/08/98
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