tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post5984514185619023279..comments2024-01-27T02:00:46.694-05:00Comments on Yet Another Period Drama Blog: Defending Edward FerrarsMiss Dashwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-50709450421308101792013-06-03T14:17:04.793-04:002013-06-03T14:17:04.793-04:00My apologies for commenting so late, but I just HA...My apologies for commenting so late, but I just HAVE to say this:<br />I don't think Edward Ferrars is boring. Not at all. However, I do think that he's almost the villain and got more than he deserved when he married Elinor. If you want a more full explanation of why I think that (sorry for my advertising) just go to my blog, Classic Ramblings. <br />Miss Jane Bennethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12990860661370730793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-58815894506499812372012-04-07T12:29:25.625-04:002012-04-07T12:29:25.625-04:00I absolutely agree with your good opinion of Mr. E...I absolutely agree with your good opinion of Mr. Edward Ferrars. In fact, not being much of a scholar but excellently aquainted with Sense and Sensiblity, I could hardly countenance a negative view of Edward Ferrars. Possesing an eager over indulgence of Sense and Sensibility my first Jane Austen work, I found the fine character of Edward Ferrars above reproach, but also, mine, is not the mind of a lady. Edward demonstrated an air of reverential intimacy, an amiable nature, a humbleness, a quiet deference for the regard of others, winning them over with his meek but dutiful manner and an unpretentious disregard for thier recently displaced position in society. This illustration of Edward is in direct contrast of Mr. Willoughby, who with his good manners, love of poetry and superhuman virlity also professes a poor opinion of Col. Brandon, leaving us suspect of him, and his conjectural good character. We find in both a firm devotion in love, but no declaration of it. Edward being bound by honour and duty, Willoughby, by his purse and deceit. While Willoughby allows for the "exercised of riches upon a poor dependant cousin" to derail his prize in Marianne, Edward allows for no such matriarchal interference in his plans and stands by his promise, his duty, to marry the superficial Lucy Steele over the passions of his obviously broken and abused heart. We must remember that Edward did try to inform Elinor of his previous engagment to Lucy Steele in the stables. One man is steadfast and resolute, honouring God, duty and loyalty, while the other indulgently suffers himself and the want of filling his meager purse. Willoughby also revealed through a sordid past, quite ironically turns out to be the seducer of the child of Col Brandon's only love to that point. I was to say, all astonishment! (great line)<br /><br />The choosing of either Willoughby, who embraced 7 times his equal in the uncongenial and frosty, Miss Grey, or Robert Ferrars who's own pointless frivolous existence is mirrored in both deed and attribute by Lucy Steele, is indeed its own reward as cautioned through the background marriage of Col. Brandon's brother and the one singular object of Col. Brandon's broken and true heart. <br /><br />Edward Ferrars generosity in spirit and kindness of character has found its match in Col. Brandon. The demonstration of Marianne's burgeoning understanding of this is portrayed through her confession to Elinor when she compares her character, to that of her older sister and found it wanting. I believe it one of the most poignant illustrations in this lovely story and her aquittal of her own negative discernment of Edwards fair character and of course that of her husband to be.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564190976010202416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-31346301047611825242012-03-16T20:45:51.746-04:002012-03-16T20:45:51.746-04:00I am not a huge Edward fan myself, but I do agree ...I am not a huge Edward fan myself, but I do agree with you that he is not boring and bland although I cannot think of a JA character who is. Jane Austen is not writing books about dramatic people, so her lead men are not "heros" (like for example Sir Percy)-they are just that-lead men. That is why the whole Darcy/Knightly gush bothers me-they are realistic, interesting characters-they are not amazing, and they make mistakes-just like Edward (although I prefer them both better than Edward). Edward is one on Jane Austen's youngest lead men (Darcy is 29, Captain Wentworth is in his early thirties, Colonel Brandon and Mr. Knightly are late thirties, Edmund Bertram is 26, Henry Tilney is 24-6 ish, and Mr. Bingley is 23) at 23 or 24, so of course he is going to have more problems. Let me point out that he is a year or two younger than Willoughby as well. You are right he IS funny-I forget about that. And although I bemoan his ignorance of Lucy's true characters that caused his persistence-he did at least have enough strength of character to stick with it because he thought it right, and he was not so unobservant that he could not catch Marianne's preference for Willoughby. I do not like Hugh Grants's interpretation of him though-that I believe is part of what turns people off about Edward's character-Grant's awkwardness!Livia Rachellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755623391278276925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-39481327062973836452011-12-06T20:37:37.650-05:002011-12-06T20:37:37.650-05:00Victoria,
Not freaky at all--I'm delighted to ...Victoria,<br />Not freaky at all--I'm delighted to find another Edward fan! (one who ISN'T referring to the dreadful Twilight nonsense... sigh)<br />Don't bother glaring, because the 1995 version is pretty close to perfection. I really fell in love with Edward after watching that movie, to tell you the truth. He's dorkily adorable and so, so sweet with Margaret--I love it! <br />I'm glad you enjoyed the post! <br /><br />Melody,<br />Ooh, do post that please!Miss Dashwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-8698389321739352202011-12-06T14:31:36.403-05:002011-12-06T14:31:36.403-05:00Victoria,
Ha, if I ever get around to writing my p...Victoria,<br />Ha, if I ever get around to writing my post defending Edward Farrars that has been on my list of possible posts since the start of my blog...I'll have to let you know. ;-)Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05676306236172688321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-70986520194441551632011-12-06T00:44:11.111-05:002011-12-06T00:44:11.111-05:00You have defended Edward. I will love you forever...You have defended Edward. I will love you forever.<br /><br />Sorry if that sounds a little freaky....it's just that Edward Ferrars is actually very high indeed on my list of favorite Austen heroes, and I'm ever so tired of hearing folks talk about how boring and horrid he is. I wuv him. And though I know that the 2008 version made him a bit easier to love than it should have, I liked the way they portrayed him. Now I must see the older version and see how they did him. *glares in advance* <br /><br />Really, Edward's awkwardness is part of what I like about him. It's...adorable awkwardness. Yes, I'm odd. :p<br /><br />Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for writing this. Mr. Ferrars needs more people like you. :)<br /><br /> - Victoria<br />(http://raindropsandmoonlight.blogspot.com)Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01458634596868057606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-64550500283209028092011-11-15T17:13:20.208-05:002011-11-15T17:13:20.208-05:00I know, I really need to e-mail you... my sincere ...I know, I really need to e-mail you... my sincere apologies. What time I haven't spent in NaNoWriMo has been used for blogging, and e-mailing has taken a back seat. :( Loved the Josie idea, though!Miss Dashwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-5951217587822914602011-11-15T16:17:25.519-05:002011-11-15T16:17:25.519-05:00Haha, well, that's the intention. ;-)
Yes! Ex...Haha, well, that's the intention. ;-)<br /><br />Yes! Exactly, precisely. That's just the quote I was thinking of. =)<br /><br />I haven't heard back from you in emailing for a while! I never got to hear what you thought of my Josie Pye idea. ha ha ;-) Oh, I thought of something else today too...what was it...Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05676306236172688321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-10684904677634943902011-11-15T13:11:46.181-05:002011-11-15T13:11:46.181-05:00Melody, you make me laugh out loud, girl.
Ooh, y...Melody, you make me laugh out loud, girl. <br />Ooh, yes, I do love the part you mentioned--in fact, I agree entirely. "I have been guessing. Shall I tell you my guess? Well, I guess that Mr. Willoughby hunts."Miss Dashwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-5064665176165006452011-11-15T12:11:38.892-05:002011-11-15T12:11:38.892-05:00How true!
Yes, I agree entirely!
Sorry if I'm...How true!<br />Yes, I agree entirely!<br /><br />Sorry if I'm boring you to death, but I do agree. In fact I was thinking about doing a similar post myself. =)<br /><br />One of my favorite 'funny' Edward parts is when he teases Marianne about Willoughby -- "Let me guess...Mr. Willoughby hunts?" (Or whatever he said)...it made me laugh. ;-DMelodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05676306236172688321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-64446775161949625282011-11-13T11:39:33.946-05:002011-11-13T11:39:33.946-05:00Abby,
Exactly. In order for a literary guy to be ...Abby,<br />Exactly. In order for a literary guy to be a real hero, I have to be able to respect him. So Edward definitely fits the classification.<br /><br />Miss Laurie,<br />You are so right--I never thought of Elinor and Henry Tilney together before, but I don't think they would get along too well! <br />I do appreciate how Edward got along well with ALL the Dashwoods. Not like Mr. Darcy, who didn't exactly endear himself to the rest of the Bennet family (despite his TEN THOUSAND a year!) Glad you enjoyed the Mr. F's Aunt joke. :)<br /><br />Alexandra,<br />Yes, he did try to tell her about Lucy in the film, but I honestly think that was kinda a mistake on the filmmakers' part--Edward's so honorable, he wouldn't break a confidence. Although he wanted to spare Elinor's feelings... ahhhh, that would be a hard call. Oh, and I like Hugh Grant as Edward too. I like his little stammer, and I personally never considered him to be too handsome for the role (not being one of those girls who drops dead every time he comes on screen).<br /><br />Hayden,<br />Would you like a glass of water? Haha, glad you liked that part. Mr. F's Aunt is a standing joke in our household. :)Miss Dashwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-86346050773360759092011-11-12T19:12:28.221-05:002011-11-12T19:12:28.221-05:00"Mrs. F's aunt..."!!! Laughing...so...."Mrs. F's aunt..."!!! Laughing...so...hard...can't...<br />breathe....<br /><br />And yes, I would applaud Lucy with tomatoes...or other rotten fruit :)Haydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03463147465564735374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-1501795021187955112011-11-12T11:43:06.276-05:002011-11-12T11:43:06.276-05:00(clap) (clap) (clap)
It's so nice to see some...(clap) (clap) (clap)<br /><br />It's so nice to see someone defending Edward Ferrars!<br /><br />While he wouldn't make it on the list of "top ten favorite literary heroes", Edward is so sweet and so stinking HONORABLE, people. He's the most honorable guy in the whole story. And I love his interaction with Margaret...and the restrained dignity he had with Elinor. And he *did* try to tell her, you know, in the '95 film. <br /><br />Anyway. I really enjoyed this post! And for the record, I never had a problem with Hugh Grant's portrayal. His stammering, awkward Edward just made him more sweet...and totally someone sensible Elinor would fall for.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437117457544744702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-42119782791861986792011-11-12T11:34:25.702-05:002011-11-12T11:34:25.702-05:00Oh dear, this post made me laugh so much!
Thank y...Oh dear, this post made me laugh so much! <br />Thank you for this post, it reminded me why I like Edward Ferrars so much (even though other heroes are at the top of my list)! I always forget about his humor, it's gentle like his personality but it's greatly suited to Elinor's personality. I don't think this Elinor would have like the whit of a Henry Tilney. :)<br />Edward doesn't really lead Elinor on, he befriends her whole family as you said. The Dashwood girls are genuine people and I this Edward feels drawn to them because they aren't phony society ladies, Elinor just also happens to be the woman of his dreams as well.<br />I LOVED your remarks about Lucy Steele! I shall be one armed with a tomato! I'm sure she was very demure and persuasive when capturing Edward-from-the-rich-family. And if Edward hadn't been engaged to Lucy then we might not have known just how honorable he actually was, funny that. <br />Haha, the bit about Mr. F's aunt from Little Dorrit made me laugh. :)Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096222035851269474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-2813777829312606372011-11-12T11:20:19.510-05:002011-11-12T11:20:19.510-05:00Hear hear! I couldn't have put it better mysel...Hear hear! I couldn't have put it better myself :) I love how you highlighted how important it is that Edward doesn't break this proposal to Lucy...I feel like Elinor wouldn't have been able to respect him if he had.<br /><br />~AbbyAbbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08207373390282056497noreply@blogger.com