More on Edward

Posted by Barbara on May 12, 1998 at 23:16:14:

In response to What Edward does offer..., written by Lynne on May 12, 1998 at 17:31:32

I believe that Edward is necessary to balance out the story and the way the two sisters conduct their love lives.
But, I also think that Edward also provides the opportunity for a number of the characters to show their true colours, or reveal something about their character.

--we see that not everyone in Fanny's family is like her

--we see Brandon's goodness and generousity in offering the living at Delaford parsonage to enable Edward to marry

--we see the family feeling among the Dashwoods as they are united in their affection for him--even Marianne, who does not really understand his temperament values him as a person, and this shows her sisterly affection for Elinor

--and of course he is a foil for Willoughby's courtship methods. Even though each of them has rather thoughtlessly engaged the affections of a young woman that he believed he could not marry, there is a difference Willoughby had a choice of doing the honourable thing and chose not to. Edward chooses to do the honourable thing and marry Lucy anyhow. So, from this we get a moral lesson. Edward chose to do the right thing, and fate smiled on him so he will be happy. Willoughby did not do the right thing, and he will always live to regret his past actions.

---

REPLIES:

• Edward's duty and Willoughby's failure Tamee 14:27:23 5/13/98 (5)
  • What is a hero? Angela 15:45:14 5/13/98 (4)
    • But he does have some hardship.... Lynn 13:11:58 5/14/98 (3)
      • Yes, what *is* a hero? Katt 21:50:06 5/14/98 (2)
        • Mea Culpa: Edward is a Hero Tamee 12:45:39 5/15/98 (1)
          • Very well put! :-) (NFM) Angela 19:10:08 5/15/98 (0)

---

Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.