Posted by Helen on August 22, 1997 at 06:47:39:
In reply to Re: Pity for Elinor -- and understanding posted by Caroline on August 21, 1997 at 20:54:01
] I do not lack emotion, but sometimes I do not want others to know how deeply I feel. Of course, not all emotions are concealed -- just those that I think should be controlled for the time being. (My "Marianne" friends occasionally seem to be more overwhelmed by my pain than I am.)
] Oh Kathleen, how true!
I agree! Both for myself and for Elinor - I think in S&S Marianne unwittingly hurts Elinor because she really doesn't understand that for Elinor, for other people to know what she has strong feelings about is a terrible thing. As it stands, Lucy Steele only guesses that she's hurting Elinor, but I think that Elinor would find it not merely painful but humiliating if her feelings were common knowledge.
Lynne's quote, that Elinor "knew how to govern" her feelings is interesting - doesn't it mean that Jane Austen thought she should govern them as she does?
Helen
] What she mostly controls is the expression of her feelings for Edward and her pain when those feelings seem doomed.
] She doesn't deny her feelings, but uses normality and routine to help her deal with them.
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