Posted by Kathy F. on July 13, 1997 at 11:17:53:
In reply to Maria and Mrs. Norris posted by Julia on July 12, 1997 at 17:02:27
] Okay, Maria's not a favorite of mine, but does anyone really deserve to go into exile with Aunt Norris??!! I mean, !!! (hopefully that came out, or this will make no sense! :))
] Anyway, here's what I think will happen: Maria will be dying to get married again and Mrs. Norris will devote her lfe to matching Maria well and re-esablishing her. I actually think this might work. If not, Maria would probably "be glad to catch at the old writing master's son"-if only to get away from her aunt!
________
I think that Maria got exactly what she deserved with being forced to live with her aunt. It was partly Mrs. Norris's fault that Maria turned out the way she did, so I think that JA "let the punishment fit the crime."
I don't know Regency morals enough to say for a fact, but it is my opinion, that they looked rather harshly upon adulteresses. I don't think Maria could be established again with any sort of credibility. The "old writing master's son" is a more probable explanation in my mind--if he would have her! Remember--she has been proven unfaithful before, would any one put himself into a position where she might make that same mistake again?
Kathy F.
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