People: Mrs. Ferrars, Marianne Dashwood
Text: After the rather uncomfortable dinner, as the guests were retiring to the drawing room for tea, John Dashwood, wishing to impress Colonel Brandon on Elinor’s behalf, draws his attention to some paintings that Elinor had done for him. They were done very well, and Colonel Brandon agreed to the beauty of them.
They were then passed around the room for admiration, but not everyone gave them the same enthusiasm. Marianne, always loyal and passionate, could hardly bear the lack of praise for her sister.
“Hum,” said Mrs. Ferrars, “very pretty.” And without regarding them at all, returned them to her daughter, Fanny Dashwood.
Perhaps Fanny thought for a moment that her mother had been quite rude enough, coloring, she said, “They are very pretty, an’t they.” But then again, the dread of having been too civil, too encouraging, she presently added, “They are something in Miss Morton’s style of painting, ma’am. She does paint most delightfully! How beautiful her last landscape is done!”
“Beautiful indeed! She does everything well,” said Mrs. Ferrars.
Marianne could not bear this. She was already displeased with Mrs. Ferrars; and such ill-timed praise of another, at Elinor’s expense, provoked her immediately to say, “This is admiration of a very particular kind! What is Miss Morton to us? Who knows or who cares for her? It is Elinor of whom we think and speak.”
Mrs. Ferrars looked exceedingly angry, “Miss Morton is Lord Morton’s daughter.”
Fanny looked very angry too, and her husband was all in a fright because of his sister’s audacity. Marianne’s feelings did not stop there. She moved over to her sister’s chair, put one arm about Elinor’s neck and said in a low but eager voice, “Dear, dear Elinor, don’t mind them. Don’t let them make you unhappy.”
She could say no more; her spirits were quite overcome, and hiding her face in Elinor’s shoulder, she burst into tears. Colonel Brandon rose up and went to them without knowing what he did. Mrs. Jennings said very intelligently, “Ah! Poor dear,” and immediately gave her, her smelling salts; and Sir John felt so desperately enraged against the author of this nervous distress, that he instantly changed his seat. In a few minutes, Marianne was recovered enough to put an end to the bustle.
Emotion: rudeness
Insight: 1 John 4:11 knows well the heart of dear Marianne, “Beloved, if God so love us, we also ought to love one another.”
What a pride-filled scene! Although Elinor was a talented painter, Mrs. Ferrars, attempting to disdain Elinor and elevate a said Miss Morton, totally disregarded the value of Elinor’s artwork. Instead of admiring them, she passed them back without a glance and was soon promoting the work of an apparent rival of Elinor’s. This was more than Marianne could bear. Seeing how such disdainful behavior could not only wound her sister but realizing that it inferred that she had little hope of securing Edward, Marianne loyally declared the truth of the situation and attempted to draw the honor back to Elinor. But the strain was too much. She broke down sobbing, causing quite a stir among the witnesses of her passion.
What Marianne lacks in self-control, she makes up for in fierce love and loyalty. She loved Elinor as strongly as God loves us. This verse reminds us of the value of loving others the way God loved us through the offering of His Son for our salvation. And Marianne has this type of passionate love in spades. May we, like Marianne, love those in our care with faithfulness and passion. God loves us. Let us be generous in sharing that same valuable love with others.
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