Jane Austen discussion

Volume 2, chapters 8-14

I love this section, its hilarious and sad. It's got me thinking about Jane Austen's use of letters. Letters are key devices to move the plot or to alter characters in a major way.

Sense and Sensibility - letter from Wiloughby to Marianne.

Pride and Prejudice - letter from Darcy to Elizabeth (major character altering letter) and the letter from Jane to Elizabeth (rushing her away from Pemberley)

Persuasion - letter from Wentworth to Anne (*sigh*)

Emma - hmmm ...maybe the letter from Mr. Woodhouse to Isabella about Frank Churchill and Jane engaged (overheard by Knightley)

Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park???

I wonder if its simply a sign of Austen's times. Anyway, I find it fascinating that letters are so central to moving the plot - to jolt the characters forward.

SUMMARY: As Marianne grieves over Willoughby's desertion, the confirmation of his engagement to Miss Grey comes in no uncertain terms. Everyone is concerned for Marianne, most of all Elinor and Col. Brandon. The Col. visits one day soon after and tells the story of his mysterious past. He had loved his father's ward, Eliza, but his family kept them apart, marrying her instead to his older brother for her money. Brandon entered the military to get away, but found her abandoned and pregnant with another man's child out of wedlock when he returned. He could not save her but he cared for her child, another Eliza. She found herself in the same situation, seduced by none other than Willoughby! The Col. rises in Elinor and especially Marianne's esteem after this. Elinor sees John again and he continues to hope that the Col. or Mrs. Jennings will do something for his sisters when he did not. Elinor and Marianne are forced to visit John, Fanny, and Mrs. Ferrars with the Steeles. Edward's mother shows contempt toward Elinor, who she believes to be after Edward, and is nice to Lucy, who is actually secretly engaged to him! Marianne defends Elinor, however, Edward visits the Dashwoods, but Lucy is unexpectedly there, so it is extremely awkward. Fanny invites the Steele sisters to stay with her and John.

Discuss!

After developing Marianne's interaction with Willoughby, in this section, Austen finally shifts her focus to bringing Colonel Brandon to the fore. His sad history only serves to emphasize his good qualities and there are probably few readers who wouldn't want Marianne to warm up to him now, even if they didn't before. I also love how Austen manages to make Fanny's mother even more reprehensible than she is!

But then can anybody tell me why is it that in Austen's books the central male lead has been misunderstood prior to the actual bonding between the two leads? Or is it just me interpreting things wrongly?