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