Question

Describe, in your own words, the situation of Mrs. Ferrars disinheriting Edward because of his engagement. How does this situation apply to the theme of attachment versus connection? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Answer 1

Mrs. Ferrars becomes disinheriting learning of Edwards engagement because she much rather he marries into a wealthy family and she had found a perfect wife for him, Miss Morton. While the engagement was kept a secret for five years, Edward and Lucy had an attachment, an emotional connection between two people, in contrast, a connection is the public bond involving a range of associations between individuals and their families. Colonel Brandon called the incident a tragedy, because the relationship between Edward and his family was in demise, as he could not support a wife, much less a wife who had little money, withered the connection between him and his family. Colonel Brandon increased the overall connections between Edward and several other attached characters by offering Edward a way to live and support his wife, and still be in good graces with the family.

Answer 2

Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, become impoverished after the death of her husband. His farm, Norland in Sussex, must pass to John Dashwood, son of his first marriage. Although John promised his father to take care of his stepmother and sisters, his egotistical wife, Fanny, easily dissuades him from giving them part of his inheritance. The Dashwoods are treated as unwanted guests in their own home, and soon begin to look for another place to live.

Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters soon march from Norland to Barton Cottage in Devonshire. His landlord is Sir John Middleton, a distant cousin who generously offers them a low rent. He lives in Barton Park with his wife, cold and elegant, and her children.