Austen, Jane - Sense and Sensibility (reread)

[oyceter]

I'm of two minds about reading introductions and whatnot before reading a book, particularly if they function as critical essays. I did that this time (the B&N edition), and now all I can think about are the points that the writer was making. Mostly the gist was that Marianne is a much more sympathetic and interesting character than Elinor because of Elinor's restraint and how Marianne seems to be later punished for her exuberance by having to marry the staid Colonel Brandon.

I'm still sort of thinking about that -- when I was reading it, I was much more interested in Marianne's story, and to be honest, I did find Elinor a bit boring. But I can't tell how much of this is because of the remnants of the Ang Lee movie in my mind. I remember liking Elinor in the movie, but I really dislike Hugh Grant when he's playing the shy, affable Englishman (he's much more fun as the skeevy Daniel in Bridget Jones). And I fell very hard for Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon. So I kept thinking there were some scenes in the book that were in the movie, but there wasn't.

Part of me was also a little resentful because I remember how much I liked Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood in the movie, and it was a bit jarring at times seeing Austen poke fun of their excessive emotions. I think I need to see the movie again as well, just to compare with a recent reread.

Comments

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

Without going back and rereading and seeing the movie, I have to say that I really did like Elinor more so than Marianne but Elinor's self denial and that sense of helplessness that I got from her infuriated me. Well, more like frustration really. Marianne's exuberance came off as a type of snobbishness to me. I have to say that while I was not a huge fan of Colonel Brandon in the book, I did like the character. Alan Rickman as Brandon? Clinched it. I loved him after that. I'm now terribly biased.

[oyceter]

I think I was rather influenced by the essay in the beginning, so I wasn't particularly paying attention to Elinor on this reread. It's also a little hard to, since Marianne's exuberance is much more conducive to creating romantic tension and assorted dramatic situations. I never quite got a strong sense of Elinor's emotional conflicts.

I think you're right re: Marianne's exuberance coming off as snobbishness. She reminds me of a lot of people (me included, heh) who tend to brush off others who simply don't agree with them.

I was rather disappointed in Colonel Brandon in the book because I remember falling for the Alan Rickman incarnation like a rock. Mmm. I miss some movie scenes -- the harpsichord giving, the rescue, etc.