His Heart
Posted by Shannon on December 22, 1997 at 04:12:35:
In response to Willoughby..., written by Carl W. Goss on December 13, 1997 at 14:30:22
I am sorry I have taken so long to reply. I finally finished my last week of school! Wo-Who!
I agree with Sherry, Lynne and Linda K. You guys had some really good points. I believe that Willoughby had lived his life without much feeling for anything or anyone, himself aside, before he met Marianne. She showed him what love was. She gave him her trust completely and freely. She was real and he fell in love with her. Unfortunately, he had lived his entire life comfortably with his money, his only consolation (which was at times gambled away). He wanted to be with Marianne, but he couldn't imagine his life without money, the one thing he had always depended on. So he chose to satisfy his pocket book instead of choosing what could have really made him happy. He was sincere in his confession and if his character had remained as it was in the beginning, he wouldn't have bothered to apologize. In a sense, if he really cared nothing for Marianne, he probably would have run away forever leaving her as he did Beth. It just took him that long to realize what he did. He was already married(I think...?) and Marianne would find happiness with Colonel Brandon. He began to grow, but was too late.
This is why I wonder about his childhood. I am sure his parents taught him what was proper, but did they give him affection and attention or did they spoil him? I remember a long time ago, the P&P board had a post about what type of parents Jane Austen gave her characters. Their parents attitudes towards themselves affected their growth as people, IMHO. So I am curious as to what type Willoughby had. Some types like indulgent, inattentive, overbearing(these are my own words because I cannot remember the correct words). Just curious.
Many Thanks,
Shannon
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