Signals . . . (Yes, this one's long, too!)

Posted by Mary Anne on July 16, 1998 at 22:11:54:

In response to Perhaps yes, perhaps no., written by Mark on July 16, 1998 at 20:24:08

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Then, Elinor asks him why he should dislike Colonel Brandon so much, and there is a rather significant pause before Willoughby comes up with his flippant answer.

I'll have to admit that of all the signals Barbara listed, this is the most compelling one for me (and one of my favourite scenes that doesn't feature Rickman! *grin*). "Flippant," yes, and that pause, the way Greg Wise plays it, is more than significant; it is positively weighted and freighted with the idea of "Something here is definitely not kosher!" In a way, it always chills me to see Willoughby making such a frantic attempt to carry off the situation as a joke, when his lines about Brandon are so vitriolic beneath the laughter.

For contrast, note the way Brandon speaks of Willoughby when he absolutely must speak of him. Yes, "the blackguard who seduced and abandoned her" isn't exactly sweetness and light, but that's about as abusive as it gets. And Brandon, who certainly has no reason to do so, gives his rival the benefit of the doubt when he tells Elinor that, so far as he can tell, Willoughby did mean to propose to Marianne. "Therefore I cannot deny that his intentions towards Marianne were honourable, and I feel certain he would have married her . . ."

I'm sure there's more to say on this subject. Others?

For contrast

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REPLIES:

• Something here not kosher... Linda K. 12:21:21 7/19/98 (1)
  • Willoughby's dislike of CB Janette K 22:20:36 7/25/98 (0)

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