A Study of Marriages in Sense and Sensibility.doc

毕业论文（设计）A Study of Marriages in Sense and Sensibility through Character Analysis1. Introduction12. Marriages in Sense and Sensibility32.1 Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars42.1.1 Character Analysis42.1.1.1 Elinor42.1.1.2 Edward62.1.2 Ideal marriage82.2 Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon92.2.1 Character Analysis92.2.1.1 Marianne92.2.1.2 Brandon112.2.2 Realistic marriage132.3 Lucy Steele and Robert Ferrars142.3.1 Character Analysis142.3.1.1 Lucy142.3.1.2 Robert162.3.2 Instinctual marriage183. Conclusion19References20Huang Min. Character Reflects Ones Marriage or Attitude towards LoveFour Different Marriages in Ausens Pride and Prejudice. Liaoning: Journal of Liaoning Provincial College of Communications, No.2, 2004: 38-42.201. IntroductionJane Austen (1775-1818) was one of the greatest and best loved novelists in English literature. Austen has written six novels in all her life, which were Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), Northanger Abbey (1818) and Persuasion (1818). These six novels were all about love and marriage. Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811, which was the first published novel and was one of the representative novels to show Austens view on marriage. The story revolved around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor was sensible and rational, while Marianne was romantic and emotional. The sisters have met a lot of difficulties on marriage. Finally, they both had a happy and successful marriage. Many people have done some researches on the novel from different aspects. For example, Zhou Qing said that Sense and Sensibility was the most typical novel that revealed Austens point of view on marriage and had realistic meaning in modern times (2003:165). Liu Xiamin talked about the different characters of the Dashwood sisters when analyzing the art of characterization in Sense and Sensibility. Elinor represented good sense while Marianne represented sensibility, but they could get well along with each other (2005: 125). Wang Xinchun has focused on analyzing Mariannes character changing from sensibility and emotion to good sense and realism, because of Elinors influence and her own suffering (2007: 29). Besides, some people have done some researches on the characters and the marriages of Austens other novels. Huang Min stated the fact that the character reflects ones attitude to marriage through the comparison of the four marriages in Pride and Prejudice (2004: 38). Jie Jingdong held the opinion that three factors played an important part in Austens view on marriage in Pride and Prejudice: marriage needed enough money to afford everyday life; the equality in social status would make the marriage more possible; good manners and considered manners were important in conditioning a marriage (2000: 186). However, few people have directly talked about the marriages through the character analysis in Sense and Sensibility. The paper focuses on the three important and representative marriages in Sense and Sensibility through analyzing the characters of each figure in detail, aiming to give an account that ones attitude towards love and marriage is determined by their characters, which was attributed to a happy or unhappy marriage, in order that people can know more about this novel and the marriages.2. Marriages in Sense and SensibilityThere are seven marriages in Sense and Sensibility, but only three important marriages will be discussed in detail here. The three marriages are the most representative marriages in Sense and Sensibility, which reflect the authors point of view on marriage: sense and sensibility have to be combined together; love is the foundation of a happy marriage; money and social status are also very important in marriage (Net.1). They are the marriage between Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars, between Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon, and between Lucy Steele and Robert Ferrars. Different attitudes towards marriage and different concepts of marriage result in different marriages. Their characters play an important part in determining their love concept and marriage. 2.1 Elinor Dashwood and Edward FerrarsElinor was sensible, rational and responsible. Edward was kind, gentle and honest. Because of Elinors good sense and Edwards honesty, they had overcome a lot of difficulties and finally got married for true love. The marriage between them was an ideal one based on true love. 2.1.1 Character Analysis2.1.1.1 ElinorElinor was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood and the heroine of the novel. According to the narrator,Elinor, this eldest daughter whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counselor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart; her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong: but she knew how to govern them (1994: 3).From the above, it was clear that she represented qualities of good sense: reason, restraint, social responsibility and great concern for her family and friends.Elinor was kind-hearted that she cared about others very much, especially Marianne. She was such a good sister that she always worried about the excess of her sisters sensibility. When she heard that Willoughby and Marianne has gone to Willoughbys house Allenham, she could hardly believe it was true. She said: “I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince propriety. As it has already exposed you to some very impertinent remarks, do you not now begin to doubt the discretion of your own conduct? If they were one day to be your own, Marianne, you would not be justified in what you have done” (1994: 45). Mariannes behavior was not appropriate at that time, so Elinor criticized her for going with Willoughby alone to his house. Besides, when Marianne was abandoned by Willoughby and had a bad illness, she took good care of Marianne and enlightened her as much as she can, being a good sister there for her all the time. Elinor was objective to treat everybody and had a clear mind to know peoples character. For example, Willoughby and Marianne seemed resolved to undervalue Colonel Brandons merits and prejudiced against him for being neither lively nor young. Elinor didnt agree with them, because their judgment was based on their imagination not the facts. Colonel Brandon was so kind and gentle to invite everyone to his brother-in-laws beautiful house, which was strictly protected against peoples easy permission to enter. Showing respect and compassion, she thought that he was a gentleman, well-bred, well-informed, possessing an amiable heart. Furthermore, he was capable of giving much information on various subjects, and always answered inquiries with good-breeding and good-nature.What could explain Elinors good sense most was when she knew Edward was engaged secretly with Lucy for four years. She was so sad and heart-broken, but she didnt tell her family about this. She knew that she could not receive too much assistance from their counsel or conversation, and their tenderness and sorrow must add to her distress. When she was alone, her own good sense could support her well. She analyzed why Lucy just told her about the engagement, since they only met for a short time and not knowing each other well. Then she realized that Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her, because Edward has always highly praised her. She made a decision that whenever she saw Lucy, she acted calm as usual, which testified that she was such a strong woman that she was not badly hurt by the engagement.2.1.1.2 EdwardEdward was the brother of Robert, a gentle and pleasing young man with integrity, delicacy and well-informed mind. “He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement” (1994: 9). It was clear that he was a good and kind man.Edward was the eldest son of Mr. Ferrars who had died very rich, but the whole fortune depended on the will of his mother. However, he had his own definite idea that he did not follow all the things that his mother and sister wanted him to do. For example, his family wanted him to be a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished him to be a political person, to get him into parliament, to see him connected with some of the great men, or even to be a great man. His sister also wished him to be somebody just as his mother. But Edward had no interest in being a political person or even a great man. All he wished centered in domestic comfort and the quietness of private life. He always preferred the church, and he wanted to be an incumbent. When Edwards mother and sister arranged him to get married to Miss Morton who was the only daughter of the late Lord Morton with thirty thousand pounds, he refused the marriage because he cared nothing about money, and he had to keep the engagement with Lucy. His mother was so angry that she gave the fortune to his brother Robert. After losing his entire fortune, he thought it all over and over again. Now that he had no fortune and nothing at all, it would be quite unkind to keep Lucy on to the engagement. He was such a considerate and kind person that he gave Lucy the freedom to choose whether to stay with him or not. At last, Lucy abandoned him for having little money. Edward was quite honest to Elinor. After being released from his former engagement, Edward opened his heart to Elinor and confessed all his weakness, all errors, especially his boyish engagement with Lucy. At that time, Edward had nothing to do after graduation. Lucy appeared amiable and obliging. He thought she was pretty, because he has not seen so many girls before. Soon he had the boyish attachment to her, and even engaged with her. “Considering everything, therefore, I hope, foolish as our engagement was, foolish as it has since in every way been proved, it was not at the time an unnatural, or an inexcusable piece of folly” (1994: 243). He regretted so much about the foolish engagement. He told Elinor everything with the hope that she would forgive him and accept him again.2.1.2 Ideal marriageBecause of Elinors good sense and Edwards honesty, they finally got married for true love. The marriage between Elinor and Edward was an ideal one. Elinor met Edward in Norland Park. They had much in common, and showed appreciation to each other. When knowing that Edward was engaged with Lucy for four years, Elinor was heart-broken, but she was sensible and strong to act normally in daily life. Even when Lucy and Edward mother have left him, Elinor still had good faith in him. Before long, after being released from his former engagement, Edward was honest that he opened his heart to Elinor and confessed all his weakness, all errors, and his boyish attachment to Lucy. Elinor took this with ration and finally they got married.Their marriage was a happy and ideal one, which was based on true love. After losing the fortune, Edward earned two hundred pounds a year as an incumbent, which could only make him live comfortably alone. Elinor paid no attention about him having little money, because she loved him for his kindness and good manners not for money and appearance. Loving each other, they have overcome a lot of difficulties and finally got married. The series of difficulties that they both experienced have given them the opportunity to understand each other and the time to build their mutual feelings and understanding. The marriage indicates two significant factors to an ideal marriage: love is the foundation of a happy marriage; sense and sensibility should be combined together. 2.2 Marianne Dashwood and Colonel BrandonMarianne was romantic, imaginative and honest. Colonel Brandon was kind, gentle and responsible. After suffering a lot, Marianne finally became sensible to reality and accept the Colonels love to marry him, because he was kind to everyone and had undivided affection to her. The marriage between them was a realistic one.2.2.1 Character Analysis2.2.1.1 MarianneMarianne who was seventeen years old was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood. Mariannes abilities were quite equal to Elinors in many respects. She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything. Her sorrows and her joys could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting and brave. She was everything but prudent. Marianne represented the qualities of sensibility: romance, imagination, idealism and a dedication to the beauty of nature. Marianne was honest and brave. She would speak out whenever she saw or heard something that she did not like. For one time, everyone was looking at the very pretty pair of screens printed by Elinor. Colonel Brandon gave high praise of the painting, but Mrs. Ferrars insulted Elinors artwork and said that it was something like Miss Mortons style of painting. Marianne could not bear this, because the painting was such a good one and she loved her sister so much. She was already greatly displeased with Mrs. Ferrars, so she said angrily: “This is admiration of a very particular kind! What is Miss Morton to us? Who knows or who cares for her? It is Elinor of whom we think and speak” (1994: 157). Marianne was brave to say whatever she wanted, and she had an affectionate heart that she couldnt bear to see her sister criticized in the smallest point.Marianne was young and beautiful, so she was always fanciful about romance. The man she wanted should have good looking, good personality and good manners. To satisfy her, he must care for all her feelings, and share the same interest and the same taste with her. When knowing Colonel Brandon had an attachment to her, she paid no attention to him. She thought that he was old enough to be her father, and he was neither lively nor romantic. On the contrary, Marianne fell in love with Willoughby quickly. When Marianne went for a walk with her little sister, she had an accident that her left foot has been twisted. She was saved by Willoughby who appeared gentle, charming and brave. Soon, Marianne found that they had much in common. They both loved music, dance and reading. Willoughby was such a young man of good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits and open manners that Marianne loved him so deeply. After being abandoned by Willoughby for economic reasons, Marianne had a bad illness that she almost lost her life. Only then did she realize what she had done was wrong. After the frustration, she said self-reprovingly to Elinor: I saw in my own behavior, since the beginning of our acquaintance with him last autumn, nothing but a series of imprudence towards myself, and want of kindness to others. I say that my own feeling had prepared my suffering, and that my want of fortitude under them had almost led me to the grave. Everybody seemed injured by me. I have laid down my plan, and if I am capable of adhering to it, my feelings shall be governed and my temper improved. They shall no longer worry others, nor torture myself. I shall now live solely for my family (1994: 232). From the above, it was obvious that Marianne became sensible. With the help of Elinor and her own suffering, Mariannes character changed to be sensible both in thinking and action, and was thoughtful for her family, so she was finally married to the Colonel who was neither romantic nor lively.2.2.1.2 BrandonColonel Brandon was a sensible and respectful man, well-bred, well-informed, gentle, decent, and kind-hearted to other people. He was such a perfect man having his earnest and constant affection to Marianne. “His regard for her, infinitely surpassing anything that Willoughby ever felt or feigned, as more sincere or constant has subsisted through all the knowledge of dear Mariannes unhappy prepossession for that worthless young! and without selfishwithout encouraging a hope! Such a noble mind! such openness, such sincerity! no one can be deceived in him” (1994: 226). The Colonel loved Marianne very much that he would not mind Mariannes inhospitality and coldness to him. Even when he knew that Marianne was in love with Willoughby, he was still there for her no matter what happened.Colonel Brandon was a kind, honest and responsible man. He told Elinor his history and what Willoughby really was. First he explained the reason why he left Barton quickly was that he had to save his distant relation Eliza. Her mother, Colonel Brandons cousin, asked the Colonel to take good care of the poor girl before her death. Eliza was a poor and miserable girl, since Willoughby left her alone, with no permanent home, no help and no friends. Willoughby promised to return, but he neither returned, nor wrote or relieved her. The Colonel was very sorry for what had happened, and felt guilty for not discharging his responsibility perfectly. Then he told Elinor that he did not intend to trouble her with this account of family afflictions, which seemed to raise him at the expense of others. He decided to tell her everything, because when Elinor and Marianne knew the real Willoughby and the wrong things that he had done, it would be helpful for Marianne to recover from being abandoned by Willoughby.Colonel Brandon was so kind and gentle to everyone. He once invited everyone to his brother-in-laws beautiful house, which was strictly protected against peoples easy permission to enter. Moreover, he sho