Meet the Heroes: Edward, Colonel Brandon, and Willoughby

Confession : if I had to choose between Edward, Brandon, and Willoughby, I'd totally crush on Willoughby.

I know, I know. He's really a bad boy at heart but...he really is the most interesting, handsome, modern, and age appropriate man available. I really don't blame Marianne at all for losing her heart to him. 

Let's compare Heroes in Sense and Sensibility:

Here's how Austen describes Edward in the opening chapters:

 “Edward Ferrars was the eldest son…the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother.” (Chap. 3) (Buck up, man! Stand up to your mama!)

“He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing…his behavior gave every indication of an open affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement.” (Chap. 3)

Edward (Hugh Grant) 1995

As far as handsome goes, I think that they cast Hugh Grant pretty well as Edward (I'm sure my taste is not universal though).

Edward 2008, BBC

But casting Dan Stevens (aka Matthew from Downton Abbey) as the "not handsome" Edward? umm....I think if I was Elinor, I'd do a double take if he came strolling into Norland Estate.

Edward is  a little boring on the page, though. He isn't wild or dashing or mysteriously elusive or  particularly romantic. After all, Austen writes that--

“All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life.” (Chap. 3)

Colonel Brandon is a bit more mysterious, and therefore intriguing. But (sigh) he seems so OLD.

“Colonel Brandon…was silent and grave. His appearance however was not unpleasing, in spite of his being in the opinion of Marianne and Margaret an absolute old bachelor…his face was not handsome, his countenance sensible, and his address was particularly gentlemanlike.” (Chap. 7)

Brandon, 2008 BBC

I can't help it. Marianne really influences my thinking of Brandon, even though I want to be more like Elinor and give Brandon a fighting chance.

However, however...Brandon has some very good qualities. He has genuinely developed sensibility, a virtue that Marianne reluctantly respects. While Marianne plays the piano,

“Colonel Brandon alone…paid her only the compliment of attention.” (Chap. 7)

Though later, under the persuasion of Willoughby's opinion, she says,

 “[Colonel Brandon] has neither genius, taste, nor spirit. That his understanding has no brilliancy, his feelings no ardor, and his voice no expression.” (Chap. 10)

Elinor, on the other hand, thinks that Brandon is "a sensible man, well-bred, well-informed, and of gentle address, and I believe possessing an amiable heart.” (Chap. 10)

Brandon (Alan Rickman aka SNAPE!) 1995

 You go, girl. Way to see past the fact that he is only 5 years younger than your mother and wears a flannel waistcoat. 

And then we come....to Willoughby. Oh, Willoughby. You seem so perfect when we first meet you! After all, you are...

"uncommonly handsome"
"so frank and so graceful"
Your name is "good"
You live in the Dashwood's "favorite village"
You dress in "a shooting jacket [that is] most becoming" (Chap. 9)

Willoughby, 2008 BBC

Even the narrator describes you like this:

“Willoughby was a young man of good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners. He was exactly formed to engaged Marianne’s heart, for with all this, he joined not only a captivating person, but a natural ardor of mind which was now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which recommended him to her affection beyond everything else.” (Chap. 10)

No wonder Marianne is head over heels for you in a matter of days!

However, however... Elinor feels some caution when she thinks about you

“…he displayed a want of caution which Elinor could not approve in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in its support." (Chap. 10)

Let us heed Elinor's caution, dear readers, as foreshadowing into Willoughby's character. So sad. He seems so perfect, doesn't he? 

Let's Talk about it: 
Which hero do you admire the most in chapters 1-10: Edward, Brandon, or Willoughby (be honest!)?
Which qualities do you admire in the "hero" in your life? Do they match any of the qualities Austen attributes to her heroes?