Topic > The social status and adherence of the characters to social norms in Sense and Sensibility, a novel by Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen depends on the social status and adherence of the characters to these social norms. Edward Ferrars is presented as a virtuous and characterful man, a perfect match for the narrator's beloved character, Elinor, who is the embodiment of common sense. The novel is presented favoring the character of Elinor, and this leads us to see Edward in a positive light due to their involvement. Edward, despite his mistakes, was a man caught between social duty and the path his heart desired. Under the same circumstances, Willoughby broke Marianne's heart but was ultimately much crueler in his actions and intentions than Edward Ferrars was. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay From the beginning, Mr. Edward Ferrars is described to us as a man of good will and heart who had no ties with the Dashwoods in any way with selfish intent. “Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good esteem by any particular graces of person or manner of conduct. He was not handsome, and his manner required intimacy to make it agreeable…his behavior gave every indication of an open and affectionate heart” (Austen, 13). The character we are portrayed with is the one we were persuaded to trust, as he was not with the Dashwoods under any hidden agenda, and was a humble man. Without the idea of ​​money in mind, Edward was in Elinor's company and fell in love with her without any social pressure telling him he had to. He was the type, described here, homely and not the most charming, but he was reliable and kind. Throughout our reading, we are led to believe that Edward is suited to Elinor, both romantically and emotionally. Not only does he seem to understand Elinor on an intellectual or mature level, but also in the sense that he is different from the crowd. He says in the novel: “I am so stupidly shy, that I often seem careless, when I am held back only by my natural clumsiness. I have often thought that I must have been destined by nature to love lowly company, I am so little at home among strangers of kindness” (Austen, 75)! Edward, through his use of words, says that he is not cut out for high society life and wishes to be alone with his own desires and the people he chooses. This is a reflection of Edward's logic and a pointer for us later in the story. This setting of Edward's character is what makes his story of being engaged to Lucy only out of adolescent ignorance plausible. We should sympathize with the fact that, due to a hormone-driven mistake, he has trapped himself in a web from which he longs to escape. Edward himself acts like the kind of man who does what he thinks he should do, despite his intentions and desires. Even when wanting to change his course of action, Edward was not a man of confrontation, or one who wanted to act in a socially deviant manner. When asked to wear a ring that contained a lock of hair, pointed out by Marianne, "He blushed very deeply, and, giving a momentary glance at Elinor, replied" (78). Edward was embarrassed by his situation, in which he was stuck, and wanted more than anything to maintain the favor of his beloved Elinor. In this scene Edward lies, but he does it out of affection and fear of losing her. After the secret of his and Lucy's engagement becomes public and Edward has to defend himself, the narrator tells us that: "He could only plead an ignorance of his own heart and a mistaken confidence in the strength of his engagement" (280). Edward was a man drawn into the high society to which.