Sense and Sensibility · Chapter
Chapter XLI explained
Edward Ferrars joyfully informs Lucy Steele of Colonel Brandon's gift of the Delaford living, and Lucy eagerly anticipates their life at the parsonage.
What happens
Edward Ferrars joyfully informs Lucy Steele of Colonel Brandon's gift of the Delaford living, and Lucy eagerly anticipates their life at the parsonage. Elinor visits her brother John Dashwood, who questions the Colonel's motives and reveals that Mrs. Ferrars now prefers a match between Elinor and Edward over the current situation. Robert Ferrars mocks Edward's new clerical role, while Elinor silently endures his foolishness.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Money
John Dashwood's obsession with the monetary value of the living and Robert's disdain for Edward's reduced circumstances underscore the importance of wealth and status.
Deception and Appearance
John Dashwood's attempt to conceal the living from Mrs. Ferrars and his hypocritical praise of her maternal affection reveal the gap between appearance and reality.
Family and Sibling Bonds
Robert Ferrars' disloyalty to Edward, contrasted with Elinor's silent support, highlights the fractured nature of the Ferrars family.
Characters to notice
- Elinor Dashwood
Visits John Dashwood alone, defends Colonel Brandon's generosity, and silently endures Robert Ferrars' mockery of Edward.
- Lucy Steele
Overjoyed by Edward's news, she expresses gratitude to Elinor and eagerly plans for life at Delaford Parsonage.
- Edward Ferrars
Carries his thanks to Colonel Brandon and shares his happiness with Lucy, appearing unusually cheerful.
- John Dashwood
Questions the value of the living, speculates on Colonel Brandon's motives, and hints at Mrs. Ferrars' preference for Elinor over Lucy.
- Robert Ferrars
Mocks Edward's new role as a clergyman with a small parsonage, but later feigns sympathy for his brother's situation.
- Colonel Brandon
Generously gives the Delaford living to Edward, a gesture that astonishes and puzzles John Dashwood.
Key passages
“She was not only ready to worship him as a saint, but was moreover truly anxious that he should be treated as one in all worldly concerns; anxious that his tithes should be raised to the utmost; and scarcely resolved to avail herself, at Delaford, as far as she possibly could, of his servants, his carriage, his cows, and his poultry.”
Lucy was not only grateful to Colonel Brandon but also determined to exploit his generosity by maximizing his tithes and using his property for her own benefit.
Lucy's pragmatic and self-interested nature is revealed through her plans to take full advantage of the Colonel's resources.
“When Edward's unhappy match takes place, depend upon it his mother will feel as much as if she had never discarded him; and, therefore every circumstance that may accelerate that dreadful event, must be concealed from her as much as possible.”
John Dashwood insists that Mrs. Ferrars will still be emotionally affected by Edward's marriage, so any news that might hasten it should be hidden from her.
John's contradictory reasoning highlights the family's hypocrisy and denial regarding Mrs. Ferrars' rejection of Edward.