Comment on the characters and behaviour of Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby in "Sense and Sensibility"

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Comment on the characters and behaviour of Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby in "Sense and Sensibility"

In the novel "Sense and Sensibility" the two characters Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby are foils. Jane Austen gives each three options in marriage - a previous attachment, Eliza Williams and Lucy Steele< a financially advantageous offer, Miss Grey and Miss Morton, and a genuine attachment, Marianne and Elinor. Jane Austen depicts their characters through their behaviour in this situation and others.

Elinor's views of the characters Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby change a lot throughout the novel. At first Willoughby or "Marianne's preserver" as Margaret names he seems like a handsome charming young man: "his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received additional charms from his voice and expression.

Edward, on the other hand, is not handsome and is not an archetypal knight in shining armour. He is quite and unobtrusive which leads the family, particularly Mrs. Dashwood to like him as they are in mooning "he did not disturb the wretchedness of her mind by ill-timed conversation."

The family's liking towards Willoughby increases, Marianne in particular as they are so alike: "their taste was strikingly alike. The same books