Jane Austen Throwdown: Mrs. Ferrars' Parenting Style

Mrs. Ferrars, Jean Marsh

While aware that almost all of Jane Austen's parents have their character flaws, I have chosen one parent who has been on my mind lately: Mrs Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility. Which child was the most negatively affected by her lack of parenting skills, whether by personality or economic circumstance or choice of mate?

Which sibling was most affected by Mrs. Ferrar's motherly style?

Fanny, Claire Skinner

Mrs. Fanny Dashwood

As snobbish as her mother, Mrs. Dashwood thinks only of her own consequence and comfort. She convinces her husband to disregard his promise to his dying father of making sure his step family is financially secure, and is manipulative and cruel in her actions towards the Dashwood women after Mr. Dashwood's death. Fanny echoes her mother's sentiments about Edward's choices in life, and favors Robert,  Meanspirited, self-absorbed, and myopic about her own fortune, this bitter nut did not fall far from the matriarchal tree.

Edward, Dan Stevens

Edward Ferrars

As eldest son, Edward is commanded to do his mother's bidding. He felt that had he been given some employment and something useful to do in his earlier years, his 18-year-old self would not have had the time to pursue his romantic inclinations towards Lucy Steele, and that he would have soon gotten over his tendre towards this most unsuitable woman. He is disinherited by his mother when she learns about his engagement to Lucy, and must make his own way in the world on a barely livable income, watching his brother reap the financial rewards that were his by right. Imagine what good deeds Edward and his thrifty Elinor might have accomplished had his mother approved of his marriage to a more worthy woman than Lucy ( which she failed to see) and provided him with a larger income.

Robert, Leo Bill

Robert Ferrars

Robert, an effete snob if ever there was one, is as mean-spirited as his sister. Although he is recipient of his brother's fortune, he lack of empathy for Edward's situation. He also lacks his sister Fanny's instinct for self-preservation, and makes the mistake of marrying Lucy Steele. After sitting in his mother's proverbial doghouse for a while, he and Lucy are welcomed back with open arms and her full support. But Lucy is as calculating and manipulative as ever and makes his life hell, so that soon all the couple does is quarrel. In Robert's case, beware what you wish for.

Which sibling was most affected by Mrs. Ferrars' motherly style?
	Fanny Dashwood
	Edward Ferrars
	Robert Ferrars
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Jane Austen Throwdown

Some of Jane Austen's heroines had terrible experiences in London. Think of poor Marianne, who came to the realization that Willoughby had been willfully ignoring her letters and avoiding her visit. We will consider the London experiences of two ladies who are more restrained than Marianne: Jane Bennet and Elinor Dashwood. Both ladies kept their anguish to themselves. In your estimation whose London experience is worse? Jane's or Elinor's?

Jane Bennet understood that Mr. Bingley had removed himself from Netherfield Park with no immediate plans for a return visit. Her heart was broken already when she visited her aunt and uncle Gardiner on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, but little did she know how thoroughly she would be rebuffed by Caroline Bingley, who she still regarded as a true friend. For someone as gentle as Jane, unable to think ill of others, the insult that Caroline finally gave her (visiting her beyond the prescribed time period that manners dictated, failure to give a reciprocal invitation, and staying for such a short length of time as to be almost insulting) opened Jane's eyes to the situation. Mr. Bingley was meant for Georgiana Darcy, and Jane had no role as either friend to the Bingley sisters or as Mr. Bingley's romantic interest. Only Elizabeth understood how well Jane was able to hide her broken heart from her family.

Imagine how you would feel if Lucy Steele told you about her secret engagement to the man you are interested in and extracts a promise from you to remain silent about the relationship. Imagine Elinor's having to witness Edward and Lucy in the drawing room in her presence and then watch them leave together (reluctantly on his side). Not only does Edward choose to remain with Lucy when his mother finds out about their clandestine relationship, but Colonel Brandon asks Elinor to tell Edward about the living he is willing to give him. The scene is poignant and sad, and we feel for Elinor, who bears these events with fortitude as she supports Marianne in her grief.

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Favorite Man of the Cloth

My Janeites on the James friends were convinced that Elizabeth Elliot would be the hands down winner of last weeks’s Jane Austen Character Throwdown, but once again you, the readers, surprised me, making this one of the closest contests in JA Throwdown history. Statistically the votes were 50/50,with Caroline Bingley and Elizabeth Elliot vieing for top spot as the most insufferable woman by only a few votes. Thank you for keeping me on my toes.

I now direct you to two men of the cloth. Oh, you’ve already told me that you found Mr. Collins less tolerable than Mr. Elton, but which of the following two men could possibly win a place in your heart? I have deliberately not included the charming Mr. Henry Tilney. After all, this should be a contest, not a runaway race. So, which of these two men of the cloth could win a place in your heart? Mr. Edward Ferrars or Mr. Edmund Bertram?

Favorite Man of the Cloth

Mr. Edward Ferrars, Sense and Sensibility

He’s not particularly handsome, according to Jane Austen. Shy, short, introverted, earnest, and kind, Edward falls in love with Elinor Dashwood while he is engaged to Lucy Steele. A man of his word, he honors his commitment to Lucy. When Miss Steele breaks off their engagement, Edward is finally free to pursue Elinor. As Deirdre Le Faye remarks in her book, Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels: “Poor Edward is so accustomed to being bullied and derided by his unpleasant family that very probably he will be quite happy to let Elinor run his life for him – though in a much kindlier way. “

Mr. Edmund Bertram, Mansfield Park

As a second son, Edmund Bertram will not become heir to Mansfield Park and is destined for a clergyman's position. Edmund is the only one of the Bertrams' children to show kindness to Fanny when she arrives as a child, and they become and remain close friends. He has a good heart and is loyal and kind, but his judgment is suspect when he falls hard for Mary Crawford. Like Edward Ferrars, he lacks a sense of humor and doesn’t know how to flirt. One senses that this serious young man is truly religious and that he is horrified by Mary’s suggestion that he give up his calling.

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Favorite Man of the Cloth

Edward Ferrars Edmund Bertram

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

Mr. William Elliot, heir to the Elliot fortune, has won the dubious distinction of Most Conniving Character #2, winning the title over John Thorpe. We now come to this week's throwdown between two well-known ministers:

I'd Rather Move From His Parish Than Listen to His Sermons

Mr. Collins, Pride and Prejudice

An obsequious toad-eater, this man chose to read ponderous sermons and lectures to the Bennets during his first visit to Longbourn. One suspects that Lady Catherine de Bourgh played an active part in writing his sermons. After Lydia eloped with Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins demonstrated his lack of common sense, and sent the following letter of condolence to Mr. Bennet: "They agree with me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family. And this consideration leads me moreover to reflect with augmented satisfaction on a certain event of last November, for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me advise you then, my dear Sir, to console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence."

Mr. Elton, Emma

If one lived in Highbury, one would not only have to listen to Mr. Elton, but to Mrs. Elton as well. One suspects she would insinuate herself into everyones' lives. A man of the cloth must show humility and demonstrate himself to be above petty thoughts or actions. Mr. Elton is far from being such a man. He was decidedly unable to show grace or forgiveness towards Harriet when Mrs. Weston solicited him to dance with the young girl at a ball: "Mrs. Gilbert does not mean to dance, but there is a young lady disengaged whom I should be very glad to see dancing—Miss Smith." "Miss Smith!—oh!—I had not observed.—You are extremely obliging—and if I were not an old married man.—But my dancing days are over, Mrs. Weston. You will excuse me. Any thing else I should be most happy to do, at your command—but my dancing days are over." Mrs. Weston said no more; and Emma could imagine with what surprise and mortification she must be returning to her seat. This was Mr. Elton! the amiable, obliging, gentle Mr. Elton."

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I'd Move From His Parish Rather Than Listen to His Sermons

Mr. Collins Mr. Elton

Austen Quiz: Which Hero Would You Hook Up With?

Hmm? Could you live on nothing but love? Are you dangerous, practical or prissy. Do you value friendship first in a relationship, or crave the grand passion? Discover your suitability to Austen's heroes in this short quiz!

Click here to take it.

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose