Edward Ferrars (6)

It turns out Edward's family have big plans for him and those plans do not include a wife of Elinor's status. Mrs. Dashwood is apprised of this and that is an insult too many so she packs up and moves the family to Devonshire.

At which point the story really begins as we now have the back story out of the way. Before we go with them, though, I'd like to note one interesting detail. When Marianne complains to her mother that Edward lacks sensibility, she gives as evidence of this his reading of poetry. And her mother says:

"He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you would give him Cowper."

Cowper?

One of the great bipolar writers of the 18th century* was old Cowper. Really bipolar! He attempted suicide several times. He was romantic before romanticism was cool. He was also a close pal of John Newton of Amazing Grace fame and that is something to keep in mind for when we get to Mansfield Park.

Here is another to keep in mind. Austen gives us Marianne's enthusiasm for Cowper as evidence of Marianne's Romantic attitude. In real life, Austen herself was a huge Cowper fan. Interesting, no?



* Who are the other great bipolar writers? Well, there are quite a few really but if you're interested, check out Christopher Smart and Samuel Johnson.