We all agree: Willoughby is a cad
JASNA-NC members far and wide met August 21st to discuss the beloved Austen novel Sense and Sensibility and to try new things with Zoom for breakout rooms. Our new thing for the breakout rooms was a trial of having a small group start to the book club that some hiccups: we learned that attachments in the chat disappear when you enter a breakout room, which led to some delays as the attachments for small groups were re-uploaded. However, learning these new things means that next time all will go more smoothly, and we have wonderful members who bear with any glitches with good humor and equanimity! You can view the discussion guide from the small groups here, which collects passages to consider for different characters in the novel.
Our discussion of Sense and Sensibility covered as much ground as Marianne on one of her walks in nature, and we had as much joy as Marianne in her walks while discussing Austen’s much-loved and vexing characters. Elinor was lauded as the “real protagonist” of the novel, despite strong narrative attention on Marianne’s story. Elinor was appreciated by readers even more this time, especially as Edward’s flaws became more visible in this reading by our group. Edward’s shortcomings become particularly evident in light of Joan Klingel Ray’s excellent article about the men of this novel, because Edward is an adept liar, a problem that is not fully addressed in his explanation of his actions to Elinor at the close of the novel.
Our reading of Sense and Sensibility was enriched by facilitator Mary Jane Curry’s context and guidance on the pastoral and Austen’s use of nature. We learned about the etymology of “wilderness” that stems from the term “wilder,” which means to wander or to lose one’s way. Marianne Dashwood is frequently associated with the words “wild” and “wilderness,” qualities that Marianne cultivates because she is so obsessed with Willoughby. John Willoughby was described by readers as “suspect,” a “gigolo,” a “rake,” “ruthless,” and “totally disreputable.” Elinor’s eventual sympathy for Willoughby during his confession and explanation of his actions was definitely NOT felt by this gathering!
Comical characters in the novel like the Palmers and Robert Ferrars (a.k.a. “Toothpick Guy”) added levity to our recollections about favorite scenes and characters. We wrapped up by talking about and questioning the ending and the marriages made at the conclusion of the novel. Readers valued the friendship between Elinor and Colonel Brandon, with some wondering why these two were not paired up in the novel. Colonel Brandon and Marianne Dashwood seemed an odd pairing to several of our group, and there was lingering discomfort over the idea of Marianne being Col. Brandon’s “reward.” The ending to Sense and Sensibility, while theoretically happy, gave many pause as we contemplated both Austen’s incisive knowledge of people and her art. Austen and her novels are what we can gladly return to again and again, because we are always left thinking about something new, whether it’s who should end up with whom, who deserved better (or worse), and what new discoveries we will make in our next venture into the novel!
Our next Virtual Book Club will meet in November for a fanfiction selection, as facilitated by Nancy Martin Young. Thank you to this month’s facilitator Mary Jane Curry for a wonderful discussion!