Posted by Laraine on August 21, 1997 at 10:50:43:
In reply to Suffering in silence posted by Arnessa on August 20, 1997 at 22:45:42
] ] Elinor is a poignant example of one who suffers in silence...and thus, people can make their own assumptions about her because she is a blank space on which they can interpret her as they see fit. And as it is sometimes human nature to view things in their most negative light....to embellish the unknown in the worst way....yes, one could say that Elinors have their own brand of agony to deal with.
] Yes, I have to admire Elinor for not making others miserable just because she is miserable. But it's not only her suffering that she does in silence, it's her loving too, and that's what I can't understand. Even though she doesn't know that Edward loves her, can't she say more than, "I highly esteem him. I like him?" To her sister, even!
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But Arnessa, that's our Elinor! I think she grows beyond the silence eventually, although she won't ever have an open nature.
If she says (even to herself) that she loves Edward at this point, she risks more than it's in her nature to risk. This doesn't mean she doesn't feel it, it means that she is protecting herself--she can't really help this any more than Marianne can help being enthusiastic and what my dad used to call "leading with your chin".
I think that people like Elinor often have a very fiery spirit underneath that frightens them. Sometimes they grow to cope with it and sometimes they stay silent, which is sad.
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