Jane Austen discussion

Volume 3, chapters 1-7

I am posting this early as I am off to the JASNA AGM October 12-16 and probably won't be spending much time on Goodreads ;-)

SUMMARY:

Mrs. Jennings returns with the shocking news that Lucy and Edward have been engaged for quite a while. Elinor shares the news with Marianne. Fanny (of course) becomes hysterical over the news and Mrs. Ferrars has transferred her estate to Edward’s younger brother Robert because Edward won’t break the engagement. Lucy tells all she will remain devoted to Edward even though he will only be a curate. Col. Brandon asks Elinor to offer Edward the living at Delaford rectory. Elinor delivers this offer in person when Edward visits Mrs. Jennings. Elinor calls on Fanny and while there Robert confirms he will inherit his mother’s estate instead of Edward. Elinor and Marianne leave London to go to Cleveland and visit the Palmers. Marianne takes many walks and catches a bad cold. The apothecary is called. Marianne’s condition worsens. Col. Brandon volunteers to travel to Barton and bring Mrs. Dashwood back. Several days pass. Marianne hears a carriage approach and expects it to be Col. Brandon and her mother but it is Willoughby!!!

This section begins big--with everyone else learning what Elinor has known for awhile: Edward is engaged to Lucy. I really like the presentation of this scene in the 1995 film, as it allows Emma Thompson a showcase. This moment is also good for the development of Marianne's character, as I think it is here when she starts to realize that her belief that a person who doesn't shove their feelings at everyone around them isn't feeling anything is actually unfair and wrong-headed. It takes a major illness for her to truly change and find some balance, though. I like that progression is made in this section toward Marianne and Col. Brandon coming together.

I liked how Colonel Brandon's gift to Edward is something that he could personally identify with "the cruelty, the impolitic cruelty, of dividing, or attempting to divide, two young people long attached to each other, is terrible."

I loved the awkward interaction between Elinor and Edward when she makes the offer -- "I am charged with a most agreeable office (breathing rather faster than usual as she spoke.) Colonel Brandon, who was here only 10 minutes ago, has desired me to say, that understanding you mean to take orders, he has great pleasure in offering you the living of Delaford now just vacant, and only wishes it were more valuable. Allow me to congratulate you on having so respectable and well-judging a friend, and to join in his wish that the living--it is about two hundred a-year--were much more considerable, and such as might better enable you to--as might be more than a temporary accommodation to yourself--such, in short, as might establish all your views of happiness."

"Colonel Brandon give ME a living!--Can it be possible?"

"The unkindness of your own relations has made you astonished to find friendship any where."

"No," replied be, with sudden consciousness, "not to find it in YOU; for I cannot be ignorant that to you, to your goodness, I owe it all.--I feel it--I would express it if I could--but, as you well know, I am no orator."

"You are very much mistaken. I do assure you that you owe it entirely, at least almost entirely, to your own merit, and Colonel Brandon's discernment of it. I have had no hand in it."

Marianne's illness was very scary for poor Elinor who is always the one to take charge and remain calm. And then, when she thinks that she hears her mother & Brandon coming in a carriage, driving up to the house only to discover that it was Willoughby!