Lord Ozzy
Posted by gkb on July 02, 1998 at 14:15:17:
In response to Some more on the Watsons...., written by Kate on July 02, 1998 at 12:10:46
] I can't quite work Lord Osborne out. Is he very stupid or just inscrutable?
I make him out to be a hasty sketch of a Mr. Darcy--arrogant, shy, sure of himself, speaking to Emma half as if she were the kitchenmaid to be seduced and half as My Lord to Gentry--until Emma puts him in his place by a quiet, sensible remark. I recently read the autobiographical account given by Mrs. Robinson (mistress to the Prince) of how upper class men tried to draw her into liasons with them, and it gave me a great deal of insight into the behavior of Henry Crawford and Lord Osbourne--men who were accustomed to have whatever they wanted of life--palate consulted, horses, hall, dog and females all to their liking. They could verbally tease and torment a woman endlessly under the guise of polite society--but if the woman reacted in any way except calm politeness--showed anger or any emotion at all, really--it was taken as a sign that the woman was interested, roused, desirous.
Lord Osbourne has the mixed fortune to be first roused to interest in women by someone who is not enough inferior for him to have his Byronic way, but too inferior to court for marriage--plus he does not have any knowledge of how to court--only to ask and have. It reminds me of how Lord Peter Wimsey first approaches Harriet--just ask and have, doncha know? Who could possibly refuse? If he were around today, he would be using a video dating service, I think, because he does not know how to please people, only how to be pleased.
] Jane has to go into the JA hall of villains - isn't she awful? She's a cross between Mrs Elton and Caroline Bingley, with a touch of Lucy Steele.
] Ditto for Margaret. eeuuuwww.
Her husband is no oil painting either.
] And finally, who hasn't been in the position of Emma, when Margaret wants to tell her all about Tom Musgrave and she just doesn't want to know?
And how funny to give her a very inapplicable answer to get out of listening! If only Anne Elliot had a few of those answers ready to hand!
- He is worst than Darcy Constanza 12:35:42 7/03/98
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- High-handedness and the Upper classes gkb 14:36:27 7/03/98
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- High-handedness and the Upper classes gkb 14:36:27 7/03/98
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