I must confess, that since the very beginning of my acquaintance with Jane Austen, I have strongly disliked Edward Ferrars. Perhaps it was the fact that after reading the novel only once, I watched the adaptations many, many times. Honestly, how can one be expected to resist Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Colonel Brandon for any sensible amount of time? So, there you have it. I have probably seen the adaptation at least ten times as much as I have actually read the novel. The novel, I have only read three times.
To give the adaptations credit where it is due, the film and mini series are remarkable, and they remain true to the story in most ways. In only one respect do I take issue with the adaptations, and that is their portrayal of Edward Ferrars. While Mr. F is indeed notably shy in the novel, and he in fact often times makes reference to this hindering trait himself, I do not believe that he is as dull as he is sometimes portrayed on screen.
I willfully reprimand myself for having fallen into the trap of assuming a screen adaptation to be completely true to the actual character that inspired it, and having re-read the novel only last week, am delightfully happy to announce that I was wrong. Edward Ferrars is not a perfect character, but I do believe him perfect for Elinor Dashwood. I believe their suitability to one another remarkable and true evidence of Austen’s particular knack for knowing people.
I was very surprised to find, as I began my re-read of the novel last week, that I clung to the pages as if I had never read the book before, and did not know how it ended. What is it about Austen that makes her readers read her books as if they are reading them for the first time? She in indeed timeless. I have found that during this re-read, my tolerance for all the characters has changed. Perhaps it is my own maturity, or simply the fact that I read much more closeley this time around. Whatever the reason, I have found Edward Ferrars, Marianne Dashwood, and Mrs. Jenkins among the characters that I used to detest, and whom I now love. On the other hand, characters such as Lucy Steele and Mr. Willoughby, whom I used to dislike, I now thorougly detest. To Elinor Dashwood and Colonel Brandon alone, have I remained steadfast in my affection.
My new found love for Edward Ferrars can be attributed to one thing, and that is humour. The reason I earlier rant about the screen versions of his character is because I feel that in their effort to portray his shyness, they have made him quite dull. In the novel, as I pleasantly discovered through my re-read, he is quite funny, if in a rather dry sort of way.
In particular, Edwards interactions with Marianne are hilarious to me. Perhaps it is their relationship to one anothe that has particularly endeared them to me. In this scene, their two different personalities collide:
“‘It is a beautiful country,’ he replied; ‘but these bottoms must be dirty in winter.’” (Edward)
”How can you think of dirt, with such objects before you?” (Marianne)
‘”Because,’ replied he smiling, ‘among the rest of the objects before me, I see a very dirty lane.” (Austen 74)
From this excerpt, it is easy that one could see how Elinor and Edwards personalities belong together, when you couple it with the following quote, in which Elinor responds to one of Mariannes telling remembrances of Norland:
“‘It is not every one,’ said Elinor, ‘who has your passion for dead leaves.’” (Austen 73)
I find both these excerpts so funny, and nearly as funny as the following one, where Edward tries to explain to Marianne why his description of anything will never satisfy her:
“‘I like a fine prospect, but not on picturesque principles. I do not like crooked, twisted, blasted trees. I admire them much more if they are tall, straight, and flourishing. I do not like ruined, tattered cottages. I am not fond of nettles or thistles, or heath blossoms I have more pleasure in a snug farm-house than a watch tower, – and a troop of tidy, happy villagers please me better than the finest banditti in the world.’ Marianne looked with amazement at Edward, and compassion at her sister, Elinor only laughed.” (Austen 81)
I love this previous quote because it serves to show how dear Marianne was a prisoner to her youth and sensibilities. To her, the most unpleasant prospect in life, would be to marry a man that feels so little. Poor Marianne.
But perhaps, my favorite interaction between Edward and Marianne, is this one, which is when Edward “finds her out”, when connecting a previous conversation they shared:
“‘And yet two thousand a year is a very moderate income,’ said Marianne. ‘A family cannot be well maintained on a smaller. I am sure I am not extravagant in my demands. A proper establishment of servants, a carriage, perhaps two, and hunters cannot be supported on less.’ Elinor smiled again, to hear her sister describing so accurately their future expenses at Combe Magna. ‘Hunters!’ repeated Edward – ‘but why must you have hunters? Everybody does not hunt.’ Marianne coloured as she replied, ‘But most people do.’” (Austen 76)
Later, when Mr. Willoughby’s name is first heard by Edward, the following conversation is had between Edward and Marianne:
“‘I have been guessing. Shall I tell you my guess?’ (Edward)
’What do you mean?’ (Marianne)
‘Shall I tell you?’
‘Certainly.’
‘Well, then; I guess that Mr. Willoughby hunts.’
So, you see….Edward is not so very dull as the world at large is led to believe. Did the folly of his youth land him in a rather unpleasant situation? Yes. But everything he did was to uphold his and Lucy Steele’s honor, even if it meant suffering a miserable life married to a woman he no longer loves. Did her perhaps allow his relationship with Elinor to go beyond that of a familial friendship? Maybe. But I do not believe he intended it to become what it did, and it is clear that in the end, he was mortified by the pain he knows he has cost Elinor.
In the end, my rediscovery of Edward has led me to love him, and sympathize with his lot. And to rejoice in his ultimate marriage to Elinor.
