People: Mrs. Ferrars
Text: The anticipated supper in the home of John and Fanny Dashwood and the opportunity to meet the infamous Mrs. Ferrars went off differently than anyone could have predicted. Lucy Steele, because the family did not know of her secret engagement to Edward, was accepted civilly and warmly. Elinor, because she was thought to have an attachment to Edward’s heart, was shunned and hardly acknowledged. It was obvious that both Fanny and her mother, Mrs. Ferrars, wanted Elinor to understand that she was not appreciated.
The meeting of Mrs. Ferrars was not unlike Elinor had thought.
Mrs. Ferrars was a little, thin woman, upright, even to formality, and serious, even to sourness in her aspect. Her complexion was sallow; and her features small, without beauty and naturally without expression. She had strong characters of pride and ill nature. She was not a woman of many words: for, unlike people in general, she proportioned them to the number of her ideas; and of the few syllables that did escape her, not one fell to the share of Miss Elinor Dashwood, whom she eyed with the spirited determination of disliking her at all events.
Elinor could not now be made unhappy by this behavior. A few months ago, it would have hurt her exceedingly; but it was not in Mrs. Ferrars’ power to distress her by it now. And the difference of her manners to the Miss Steeles, a difference which seemed purposefully made to humble her more, only amused her. Elinor could not but smile to see the graciousness of both mother and daughter towards the very person-for Lucy was particularly distinguished-whom of all the others, had they known as much as she did, they would have been most anxious to mortify; while she herself, who had comparatively no power to wound them, sat pointedly slighted by both. But Lucy was all exultation on being so honorably distinguished.
Emotion: self-important
Insight: Proverbs 26:12 speaks of one who thinks highly of himself, “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
How foolish and proud are both Mrs. Ferrars and her daughter, Fanny Dashwood! Mrs. Ferrars was described as both proud and ill-natured. She thought only of herself, her status, and her own ability to control those in her life. As conceited as she was though, apparently there was not a lot going on in her mind. “She was not a woman of many words-she proportioned them to the number of her ideas.” It’s a rare and good thing for a proud person to not have much to say.
Oh, that we would remember who we truly are! May we be wise enough to realize that no matter our elevated social status, we are all truly just human. And as humans, we are flawed and weak at best. Even if we become rich and influential, let us always remember our roots. In God’s viewpoint it is always better to be humble, kind, and empathetic rather than cold, proud, and disdainful of others
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