Opportunist!
Posted by Cheryl on April 15, 1998 at 12:22:10:
In response to Victim..., written by Marsha on April 14, 1998 at 22:53:39
] From what I could tell Beth wasn't such an innocent. If she was, why did she not contact Brandon when she got pregnant.
She was embarrassed? Ashamed? Afraid?
And she must have been quite something, if you remember W. refused to marry her.
She was quite illegitimate and quite poor!
] When Lady Allen found out about his "responsibility" she propmised to restore him to all the money if he would marry Beth, but Willoughby refused. he prefereed Miss Grey. (Chose risk against sertainty).
He chose Miss Grey's money (not a risk!) rather than be tainted by association with Beth/Eliza's social position and situation (a definite certainty!)
Now, if he was mercenary & ruined the poor girl for sport, he'd definitely marry her.
What?! Why would a man who ruined a girl "for sport" then marry her? Wouldn't that simply be a consequence of game? "For sport" implies that he had no feelings for or interest in the girl, why then would he then marry her?
It tells something about her character that W would rather take his chances in the world than marry her.
No, it says something about Willoughby's character that he would rather marry 10,000£ than the mother of his child!
] Plus, W doesn't strike me as a man that would force his attentions on an unwilling woman.
I agree with this (I'm sure you're surprised! ;-) but even if she was willing to have an affair, that does not absolve him responsibility for the consequences!
] In fact, seducing a well-bred virgin of quality placed a person beyond the pale.
I have not the pleasure of understanding you. Are you saying that it was all right, no big deal to seduce a well-bred virgin?
You'll notice that no one really cuts W after his affair with Baeth, and Lady Allen is called old-fashioned for disinheriting him. So beth was definitely not a demure lady of quality.
] Besides, such a person would be extremely stupid. Guardians and polite society would cast him out, even if she wasn't guarded correctly.
I think there was probably a prevailing "boys will be boys" attitude among some people, but JA is clearly saying that attitude is not acceptable among people of good sense and understanding.
] W doesn't strike me as stupid.
No, but very selfish and opportunistic.
He would not seduce someone in high position. Therefore, I infer Beth engaged in it volunarily, with clear eyes. Notice that nowhere is it said that Brandon wants W to marry Beth. Only the old-fashioned Lady Allen.I get an impression from the book, that B & W engaged in a concensual affair, and she got pregant. I always see her as a Lydia, just as silly.
Agreed, but again, this does not relieve him of responsibility! Barb and Bonny have already argued the Brandon and Lady Allen side, so I will refrain. ;-)
] I better stop, because lack of sleep is making me incoherent.
I hope you got some sleep, and woke up clearer-headed! ;-)
- Victim! Arnessa 11:38:11 4/17/98
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- Opportunist!! Laraine 16:07:18 4/17/98
(9)
- Victim! Marsha 17:05:56 4/17/98
(8)
- Opportunistic Villian! Cheryl 01:51:31 4/18/98
(7)
- Opportunistic Victim Linda K. 03:01:31 4/18/98
(5)
- Victim to his aunt's manipulations? Kathleen Ann 11:00:35 4/18/98
(4)
- Mrs. Smith on Marianne Linda K. 22:45:15 4/21/98
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- Victim to his own opportunism? Arnessa 15:04:39 4/20/98
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- Adjustments . . . Mary Anne 11:29:44 4/18/98
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- Mary Anne Kathleen Ann 19:46:50 4/18/98
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- Mary Anne Kathleen Ann 19:46:50 4/18/98
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- Mrs. Smith on Marianne Linda K. 22:45:15 4/21/98
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- Victim to his aunt's manipulations? Kathleen Ann 11:00:35 4/18/98
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- A Villanously Opportunistic Victim? :-) Marsha 02:29:07 4/18/98
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- Opportunistic Victim Linda K. 03:01:31 4/18/98
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- Opportunistic Villian! Cheryl 01:51:31 4/18/98
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- Victim! Marsha 17:05:56 4/17/98
(8)
- Opportunist!! Laraine 16:07:18 4/17/98
(9)
- Suducing... Marsha 12:43:17 4/15/98
(4)
- Reforming is not enough at this point Barbara 13:16:00 4/15/98
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- Getting on. Kathleen Ann 15:53:41 4/15/98
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- Getting on. Kathleen Ann 15:53:41 4/15/98
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- Something else that is never stated... Barbara 13:09:15 4/15/98
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- Double standard Mary Anne 20:53:42 4/15/98
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- Double standard Mary Anne 20:53:42 4/15/98
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- Reforming is not enough at this point Barbara 13:16:00 4/15/98
(1)
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