Moral standards
Posted by Eril on May 22, 1998 at 11:44:40:
In response to Choosing to do right..., written by Lea on May 17, 1998 at 16:38:29
] ] Let's see if I get your point. What you would like to know if that the Crawfords are potentially "good intelligent interesting" and moral people, that they would actually be so had they been educated differently and that they are attracted to Fanny and Edmund because the latters realise (possess and put into action in real life) the qualities M and H can admire, and thought couldn't exist in people..
] ] To sum it up, I agree that Mary and Henry have the potential to become "moral" people and that that is one of the reasons they are attracted to Edmund and Henry, but I think that the blame for not realizing such qualities lies with them, and it is not the result of their education.
]
] Bonny,
] Sorry I haven't responded to your questions before now. Constanza gave such a well thoughtout response, I don't really have much to add.
] I agree with Constanza that Henry and Mary were not ruined by their lack of a proper education, but by their own choices.
] We all have the potential/freedom to do the right things (Mary and HC included), but we must make conscious choices. I believe in individual responsibility. One ofthe major problems with our society is that many will not take responsibility for their wrong actions, but we must.
] I think Mary and Henry both see qualities in Edmund and Fanny that they admire, but as Constanza said so well "but I think that the blame for not realizing such qualities lies with them, and it is not the result of their education."
] I will add that I agree with Jane that the standard of right and wrong behavior is God's word. I'm not ashamed to say that and neither was Jane, but I believe this is what makes MP her most controversial book. I really have avoided discussing MP in part because I cannot fully defend it without appealing to God's word.
] If a reader doesn't agree that the Bible is the ultimate standard of right and wrong, they will probably see Edmund and Fanny as judgmental, no matter how eloquently I defend them.
] --Lea :-)
]
Lea, I agree with you entirely. This is one of the reasons why I love JA's books. The society of her day had a conscience about what was right and wrong and that was because Christianity was the very basis of their society. Even if a person did not believe God's word they still had to abide by it. The people still had an innocence and a respect for one another.They were conscious of each others feelings and those in privileged positions were encouraged to be benevolent to those less fortunate than themselves.Today it is not so. We've lost our innocence and our world has expanded (the Global Village)and we've lost that sense of belonging in a way. Anyway I'll stop ranting and conclude that JA's world helps me to maintain an optimistic view of life and I'll always continue to look for the good things in others and I'll keep looking for the good things in her books!
- I like Jane's books for the same reasons... Lea 21:54:13 5/22/98
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