Posted by Arnessa on August 20, 1997 at 12:00:00:
In reply to Re: Jane Austen -- Elinor or Marianne? posted by Helen on August 19, 1997 at 06:11:31
] Maybe I'm exaggerating this aspect of her character, but that's because unlike Amy and Arnessa, I feel like an Elinor most of the time - one who would certainly feels like Marianne, and would love to be able to behave like her but feels the weight of social obligations/conventions preventing her.
] Helen
] Helen
I think I am probably much closer to your ideas than you might think. When I say I identify with Marianne and see the world as she might have seen it, it doesn't mean at all that I would choose to act like her most of the time. Indeed, that is asking for a life of heartache. The fact is, I act probably more like Elinor (or the chastened Marianne) , when it comes to the point.
I think the difference is that I see Elinors as people who can act rationally with little or no struggle, and for Mariannes it is a real struggle sometimes to deny the emotions. ( I know people will exclaim and say that life is no picnic for Elinors either.)
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