The book introduces us to two characters who are love interests for Marianne. We’re first introduced to Colonel Brandon in chapter 8 Vol 1, pg. 28 in the book. Colonel Brandon fell in love with Marianne in their first encounter, he loved how Marianne sang, and how she garnered his attention thoroughly. Colonel Brandon was much older than Marianne, in his mid-thirties, and wasn’t as handsome. But he was rich, had a good estate, and has dealt with his fair share of experiences in his life, as he dealt with a previous marriage. As it is mentioned in the book “he was silent and grave. His appearance however was not unpleasing, in spite of his being in the opinion of Marianne and Margaret an absolute old bachelor, for he won on the wrong side of five and thirty; but though his face was not handsome his countenance was sensible, and his address was particularly gentlemanlike.”(Austen, 2008, p. 27). Marianne was a free spirit, who loved especially loved music. She also loved to sing a trait which attracted Colonel Brandon, as he too loved music. Marianne admired that about him and respected him tremendously. Lady Middleton thinks Marianne is a good fit for Colonel Brandon, but Marianne thinks otherwise, as it is mentioned in the book “A woman of seven and twenty, said Marianne, after pausing a moment, ‘ can never hope to feel or inspire affection again, and if her home is uncomfortable, or her fortune small, I can suppose that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse, for the sake of provision and security of a wife”(Austen, 2008, p.29).
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What Marianne is trying to say is that she doesn’t want to marry a man who is of old age already, and she’ll be a servant for him and such, as I mentioned earlier, Marianne is a free spirit, and this becomes more so when she stumbles upon, John Willoughby. John is a young, good-looking man who happened to save Marianne from a fall. What makes Marianne fall for him besides the good looks, is that he too is a free spirit. John doesn’t have a lot of money like Brandon does, but has his own share of the inheritance. Initially, Marianne begins to have feelings for him solely because John loves literature as does. He also is a romantic similar to her. They share many similarities actually, John loves hunting, dressing out and going out, and playing cards. John also isn’t formal like Brandon, he’s more so radical and that’s what attracts Marianne to him. However, when it comes to differences, John Willoughby externally may be pleasant and charming, but internally he is deceiving and has a shady past, and is unreliable as he leaves on occasion without coming back for weeks. On the other hand, Brandon is externally unpleasant to the public eye, but internally Brandon is everything a woman could hope for. He is persistent and truly is in love with Marianne, although she doesn’t see it initially. We see this when Marianne waited for Willoughby’s arrival, it was with great disappointment as she saw Colonel Brandon come through the door, she was displeased with the sight of him. Elinor sees this much, as she mentions on pg. 120 of the book “Elinor was disappointed too, but at the same time her regard to colonel Brandon ensured his welcome with her, and she felt particularly hurt that a man so partial to her sister should perceive nothing but grief and disappointment in seeing him.”(Austen, 2008, p. 120). This is because she still has feelings for John Willoughby, but Willoughby isn’t who he says he is, and Marianne catches on eventually. She finds out about his past and his misdeeds and what he’s done to other women, one of which was Brandon’s relative. John only cares about fortune/money and women, while colonel Brandon truly cares for Marianne, as he truly loves her. When Marianne becomes ill and depressed regarding John, she finds comfort in Brandon, because she realizes he’s always there for her no matter what she’s done. As mentioned on pg. 288, Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby” (Austen, 2008). Even though she humiliated him on many occasions, he still was persistent in his love for her, Marianne eventually saw that, and realized that Brandon is a true match for her, because he is always there when she needs him.
References
- Austen, Jane, et al. Sense and Sensibility. Oxford University Press, 2008. (pp. 27-288.).
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