feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/pinkmonkey/Sense and Sensibility/section_9_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 10
feat_summary_id: chapter 10
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter  10", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180820034609/http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmSenseSensibility24.asp", "summary": "This chapter gives an extended character sketch of Mrs. Jennings. Wealthy and contented, she is anxious to see young men and women settled in life. Thus, when she spots Colonel Brandon admiring Marianne as she is playing the piano, she immediately pairs them up as a suitable couple. She voices her thoughts aloud to both Brandon and Marianne. While the Colonel ignores her remarks, Marianne expresses shock at the suggestion. She rejects the Colonel on the basis of his age and his reserved temperament. Elinor, though, does not agree with her sister.", "analysis": "Notes Mrs. Jennings is a typical matron: she delights in making matches between eligible men and women. She is happy to gain the acquaintance of the Dashwood girls. When she observes the Colonel admiring Marianne's talent, she concludes that Brandon is in love with the girl. She amuses herself by teasing both Marianne and the Colonel. Austen once again points out the difference in the attitudes of the two sisters. Elinor, with her better judgment, is able to assess the merits of Brandon and finds him an eligible bachelor. Marianne, fed on romantic literature, does not find the Colonel exciting enough to capture her heart. She discards the idea of him as a match for herself because he is twice her age and does not display vigor and enthusiasm. CHAPTER 9 Summary The Dashwoods settle down to a life of peace and contentment. They keep themselves occupied, and John Middleton visits them frequently. One morning, while Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor are engaged in the household duties, Marianne and Margaret venture out to explore the countryside. They get carried away by the beauty of the natural surroundings and start climbing up a hill, despite the rough weather. Suddenly it starts raining, and they head towards home. Marianne misses her step, twists her ankle and falls down. A gentleman riding by takes pity on her and carries her to her house. He introduces himself as Willoughby, from Allenham. He impresses everyone with his appearance and charming manners, and Marianne is smitten. Later in the day, when John Middleton pays them a visit, the family floods him with questions about Willoughby. Sir John talks favorably of the dashing young man. Notes The theme of love is developed. Jane Austen convincingly constructs a situation in which Marianne gets to meet the 'hero' of her dreams. Elinor has already met a good man; it is time for Marianne to find her partner. Marianne's accident, and her rescue by a knight in shining armor, resembles a scene from a fairy tale or romantic fiction. Marianne is overpowered by the striking appearance and charming manners of Willoughby. He is everything Marianne has wanted in a man: he is handsome, dashing and chivalrous. The chapter thus introduces another main character. Willoughby is a man with charm and vitality; he easily impresses beautiful girls like Marianne. His imposing presence is in direct contrast to the subdued character of the Colonel. John Middleton feels sorry for the Colonel and hopes that Marianne will realize his worth. CHAPTER 10 Summary Chapter 10 highlights the character of Willoughby and places him in further contrast to Colonel Brandon. Willoughby slowly but surely captures Marianne's heart with his enchanting ways. He also wins the approval of Mrs. Dashwood. Only Elinor is restrained in her praise for him. She is able to gauge Colonel Brandon's true feelings for Marianne, and thus feels sorry for him. She also feels hurt by the manner in which both Willoughby and Marianne ridicule the Colonel. Notes Marianne finds Willoughby an ideal suitor and is happy to seek his favor. However, Elinor is able to see through his superficial conduct. She observes that he is impulsive, prejudiced and opinionated, much like her sister. He speaks before he thinks, and he thoughtlessly hurts the Colonel's feelings with his careless remarks. Austen reveals Elinor's maturity by having her analyze the characters of Willoughby and the Colonel. She understands the real worth of the Colonel and values his sentiments. She considers him to be \"a sensible man, well-bred, well-informed, of gentle address, and--an amiable heart. \" She ranks him higher as a man than Willoughby. This chapter hints at the fate of Marianne in the hands of Willoughby. Elinor, as Austen's mouthpiece, conveys her apprehension about this shallow and ostentatious man."}
text: 
  
  Marianne's preserver, as Margaret, with more elegance than precision,
  styled Willoughby, called at the cottage early the next morning to make
  his personal enquiries.  He was received by Mrs. Dashwood with more
  than politeness; with a kindness which Sir John's account of him and
  her own gratitude prompted; and every thing that passed during the
  visit tended to assure him of the sense, elegance, mutual affection,
  and domestic comfort of the family to whom accident had now introduced
  him.  Of their personal charms he had not required a second interview
  to be convinced.
  
  Miss Dashwood had a delicate complexion, regular features, and a
  remarkably pretty figure.  Marianne was still handsomer.  Her form,
  though not so correct as her sister's, in having the advantage of
  height, was more striking; and her face was so lovely, that when in the
  common cant of praise, she was called a beautiful girl, truth was less
  violently outraged than usually happens.  Her skin was very brown, but,
  from its transparency, her complexion was uncommonly brilliant; her
  features were all good; her smile was sweet and attractive; and in her
  eyes, which were very dark, there was a life, a spirit, an eagerness,
  which could hardily be seen without delight.  From Willoughby their
  expression was at first held back, by the embarrassment which the
  remembrance of his assistance created.  But when this passed away, when
  her spirits became collected, when she saw that to the perfect
  good-breeding of the gentleman, he united frankness and vivacity, and
  above all, when she heard him declare, that of music and dancing he was
  passionately fond, she gave him such a look of approbation as secured
  the largest share of his discourse to herself for the rest of his stay.
  
  It was only necessary to mention any favourite amusement to engage her
  to talk.  She could not be silent when such points were introduced, and
  she had neither shyness nor reserve in their discussion.  They speedily
  discovered that their enjoyment of dancing and music was mutual, and
  that it arose from a general conformity of judgment in all that related
  to either.  Encouraged by this to a further examination of his
  opinions, she proceeded to question him on the subject of books; her
  favourite authors were brought forward and dwelt upon with so rapturous
  a delight, that any young man of five and twenty must have been
  insensible indeed, not to become an immediate convert to the excellence
  of such works, however disregarded before.  Their taste was strikingly
  alike.  The same books, the same passages were idolized by each--or if
  any difference appeared, any objection arose, it lasted no longer than
  till the force of her arguments and the brightness of her eyes could be
  displayed.  He acquiesced in all her decisions, caught all her
  enthusiasm; and long before his visit concluded, they conversed with
  the familiarity of a long-established acquaintance.
  
  "Well, Marianne," said Elinor, as soon as he had left them, "for ONE
  morning I think you have done pretty well.  You have already
  ascertained Mr. Willoughby's opinion in almost every matter of
  importance.  You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott; you are
  certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought, and you have
  received every assurance of his admiring Pope no more than is proper.
  But how is your acquaintance to be long supported, under such
  extraordinary despatch of every subject for discourse?  You will soon
  have exhausted each favourite topic.  Another meeting will suffice to
  explain his sentiments on picturesque beauty, and second marriages, and
  then you can have nothing farther to ask."--
  
  "Elinor," cried Marianne, "is this fair? is this just? are my ideas so
  scanty?  But I see what you mean.  I have been too much at my ease, too
  happy, too frank.  I have erred against every common-place notion of
  decorum; I have been open and sincere where I ought to have been
  reserved, spiritless, dull, and deceitful--had I talked only of the
  weather and the roads, and had I spoken only once in ten minutes, this
  reproach would have been spared."
  
  "My love," said her mother, "you must not be offended with Elinor--she
  was only in jest.  I should scold her myself, if she were capable of
  wishing to check the delight of your conversation with our new
  friend."-- Marianne was softened in a moment.
  
  Willoughby, on his side, gave every proof of his pleasure in their
  acquaintance, which an evident wish of improving it could offer.  He
  came to them every day.  To enquire after Marianne was at first his
  excuse; but the encouragement of his reception, to which every day gave
  greater kindness, made such an excuse unnecessary before it had ceased
  to be possible, by Marianne's perfect recovery.  She was confined for
  some days to the house; but never had any confinement been less
  irksome.  Willoughby was a young man of good abilities, quick
  imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners.  He was
  exactly formed to engage Marianne's heart, for with all this, he joined
  not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour of mind which was
  now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which
  recommended him to her affection beyond every thing else.
  
  His society became gradually her most exquisite enjoyment.  They read,
  they talked, they sang together; his musical talents were considerable;
  and he read with all the sensibility and spirit which Edward had
  unfortunately wanted.
  
  In Mrs. Dashwood's estimation he was as faultless as in Marianne's; and
  Elinor saw nothing to censure in him but a propensity, in which he
  strongly resembled and peculiarly delighted her sister, of saying too
  much what he thought on every occasion, without attention to persons or
  circumstances.  In hastily forming and giving his opinion of other
  people, in sacrificing general politeness to the enjoyment of undivided
  attention where his heart was engaged, and in slighting too easily the
  forms of worldly propriety, he displayed a want of caution which Elinor
  could not approve, in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in
  its support.
  
  Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which had seized
  her at sixteen and a half, of ever seeing a man who could satisfy her
  ideas of perfection, had been rash and unjustifiable.  Willoughby was
  all that her fancy had delineated in that unhappy hour and in every
  brighter period, as capable of attaching her; and his behaviour
  declared his wishes to be in that respect as earnest, as his abilities
  were strong.
  
  Her mother too, in whose mind not one speculative thought of their
  marriage had been raised, by his prospect of riches, was led before the
  end of a week to hope and expect it; and secretly to congratulate
  herself on having gained two such sons-in-law as Edward and Willoughby.
  
  Colonel Brandon's partiality for Marianne, which had so early been
  discovered by his friends, now first became perceptible to Elinor, when
  it ceased to be noticed by them.  Their attention and wit were drawn
  off to his more fortunate rival; and the raillery which the other had
  incurred before any partiality arose, was removed when his feelings
  began really to call for the ridicule so justly annexed to sensibility.
  Elinor was obliged, though unwillingly, to believe that the sentiments
  which Mrs. Jennings had assigned him for her own satisfaction, were now
  actually excited by her sister; and that however a general resemblance
  of disposition between the parties might forward the affection of Mr.
  Willoughby, an equally striking opposition of character was no
  hindrance to the regard of Colonel Brandon.  She saw it with concern;
  for what could a silent man of five and thirty hope, when opposed to a
  very lively one of five and twenty? and as she could not even wish him
  successful, she heartily wished him indifferent.  She liked him--in
  spite of his gravity and reserve, she beheld in him an object of
  interest.  His manners, though serious, were mild; and his reserve
  appeared rather the result of some oppression of spirits than of any
  natural gloominess of temper.  Sir John had dropped hints of past
  injuries and disappointments, which justified her belief of his being
  an unfortunate man, and she regarded him with respect and compassion.
  
  Perhaps she pitied and esteemed him the more because he was slighted by
  Willoughby and Marianne, who, prejudiced against him for being neither
  lively nor young, seemed resolved to undervalue his merits.
  
  "Brandon is just the kind of man," said Willoughby one day, when they
  were talking of him together, "whom every body speaks well of, and
  nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers
  to talk to."
  
  "That is exactly what I think of him," cried Marianne.
  
  "Do not boast of it, however," said Elinor, "for it is injustice in
  both of you.  He is highly esteemed by all the family at the park, and
  I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with him."
  
  "That he is patronised by YOU," replied Willoughby, "is certainly in
  his favour; but as for the esteem of the others, it is a reproach in
  itself.  Who would submit to the indignity of being approved by such a
  woman as Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, that could command the
  indifference of any body else?"
  
  "But perhaps the abuse of such people as yourself and Marianne will
  make amends for the regard of Lady Middleton and her mother.  If their
  praise is censure, your censure may be praise, for they are not more
  undiscerning, than you are prejudiced and unjust."
  
  "In defence of your protege you can even be saucy."
  
  "My protege, as you call him, is a sensible man; and sense will always
  have attractions for me.  Yes, Marianne, even in a man between thirty
  and forty.  He has seen a great deal of the world; has been abroad, has
  read, and has a thinking mind.  I have found him capable of giving me
  much information on various subjects; and he has always answered my
  inquiries with readiness of good-breeding and good nature."
  
  "That is to say," cried Marianne contemptuously, "he has told you, that
  in the East Indies the climate is hot, and the mosquitoes are
  troublesome."
  
  "He WOULD have told me so, I doubt not, had I made any such inquiries,
  but they happened to be points on which I had been previously informed."
  
  "Perhaps," said Willoughby, "his observations may have extended to the
  existence of nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins."
  
  "I may venture to say that HIS observations have stretched much further
  than your candour.  But why should you dislike him?"
  
  "I do not dislike him.  I consider him, on the contrary, as a very
  respectable man, who has every body's good word, and nobody's notice;
  who, has more money than he can spend, more time than he knows how to
  employ, and two new coats every year."
  
  "Add to which," cried Marianne, "that he has neither genius, taste, nor
  spirit.  That his understanding has no brilliancy, his feelings no
  ardour, and his voice no expression."
  
  "You decide on his imperfections so much in the mass," replied Elinor,
  "and so much on the strength of your own imagination, that the
  commendation I am able to give of him is comparatively cold and
  insipid.  I can only pronounce him to be a sensible man, well-bred,
  well-informed, of gentle address, and, I believe, possessing an amiable
  heart."
  
  "Miss Dashwood," cried Willoughby, "you are now using me unkindly.  You
  are endeavouring to disarm me by reason, and to convince me against my
  will.  But it will not do.  You shall find me as stubborn as you can be
  artful.  I have three unanswerable reasons for disliking Colonel
  Brandon; he threatened me with rain when I wanted it to be fine; he has
  found fault with the hanging of my curricle, and I cannot persuade him
  to buy my brown mare.  If it will be any satisfaction to you, however,
  to be told, that I believe his character to be in other respects
  irreproachable, I am ready to confess it.  And in return for an
  acknowledgment, which must give me some pain, you cannot deny me the
  privilege of disliking him as much as ever."
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter  10
target: This chapter gives an extended character sketch of Mrs. Jennings. Wealthy and contented, she is anxious to see young men and women settled in life. Thus, when she spots Colonel Brandon admiring Marianne as she is playing the piano, she immediately pairs them up as a suitable couple. She voices her thoughts aloud to both Brandon and Marianne. While the Colonel ignores her remarks, Marianne expresses shock at the suggestion. She rejects the Colonel on the basis of his age and his reserved temperament. Elinor, though, does not agree with her sister.
feat_summary_analysis: Notes Mrs. Jennings is a typical matron: she delights in making matches between eligible men and women. She is happy to gain the acquaintance of the Dashwood girls. When she observes the Colonel admiring Marianne's talent, she concludes that Brandon is in love with the girl. She amuses herself by teasing both Marianne and the Colonel. Austen once again points out the difference in the attitudes of the two sisters. Elinor, with her better judgment, is able to assess the merits of Brandon and finds him an eligible bachelor. Marianne, fed on romantic literature, does not find the Colonel exciting enough to capture her heart. She discards the idea of him as a match for herself because he is twice her age and does not display vigor and enthusiasm. CHAPTER 9 Summary The Dashwoods settle down to a life of peace and contentment. They keep themselves occupied, and John Middleton visits them frequently. One morning, while Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor are engaged in the household duties, Marianne and Margaret venture out to explore the countryside. They get carried away by the beauty of the natural surroundings and start climbing up a hill, despite the rough weather. Suddenly it starts raining, and they head towards home. Marianne misses her step, twists her ankle and falls down. A gentleman riding by takes pity on her and carries her to her house. He introduces himself as Willoughby, from Allenham. He impresses everyone with his appearance and charming manners, and Marianne is smitten. Later in the day, when John Middleton pays them a visit, the family floods him with questions about Willoughby. Sir John talks favorably of the dashing young man. Notes The theme of love is developed. Jane Austen convincingly constructs a situation in which Marianne gets to meet the 'hero' of her dreams. Elinor has already met a good man; it is time for Marianne to find her partner. Marianne's accident, and her rescue by a knight in shining armor, resembles a scene from a fairy tale or romantic fiction. Marianne is overpowered by the striking appearance and charming manners of Willoughby. He is everything Marianne has wanted in a man: he is handsome, dashing and chivalrous. The chapter thus introduces another main character. Willoughby is a man with charm and vitality; he easily impresses beautiful girls like Marianne. His imposing presence is in direct contrast to the subdued character of the Colonel. John Middleton feels sorry for the Colonel and hopes that Marianne will realize his worth. CHAPTER 10 Summary Chapter 10 highlights the character of Willoughby and places him in further contrast to Colonel Brandon. Willoughby slowly but surely captures Marianne's heart with his enchanting ways. He also wins the approval of Mrs. Dashwood. Only Elinor is restrained in her praise for him. She is able to gauge Colonel Brandon's true feelings for Marianne, and thus feels sorry for him. She also feels hurt by the manner in which both Willoughby and Marianne ridicule the Colonel. Notes Marianne finds Willoughby an ideal suitor and is happy to seek his favor. However, Elinor is able to see through his superficial conduct. She observes that he is impulsive, prejudiced and opinionated, much like her sister. He speaks before he thinks, and he thoughtlessly hurts the Colonel's feelings with his careless remarks. Austen reveals Elinor's maturity by having her analyze the characters of Willoughby and the Colonel. She understands the real worth of the Colonel and values his sentiments. She considers him to be "a sensible man, well-bred, well-informed, of gentle address, and--an amiable heart. " She ranks him higher as a man than Willoughby. This chapter hints at the fate of Marianne in the hands of Willoughby. Elinor, as Austen's mouthpiece, conveys her apprehension about this shallow and ostentatious man.