Sense and Sensibility Chapter 17

The girls bring Edward in to visit with Mrs. Dashwood, who is happily surprised to see him.

Though polite, they all notice that he seems down. Edward's mother, Mrs. Ferrars, is determined for Edward to be famous and powerful, but Edward wants none of it. When the Dashwoods ask him what he will do, he answers that he has no taste for public life or profession. He mentions only wanting happiness, and Elinor comments on the connection between wealth and happiness, which greatly offends Marianne. All the girls wonder what they would do if someone were to give them a large fortune.

Topic Tracking: Money 8

Edward brings up the idea of second attachments, and asks Marianne if her opinion is the same. She answers, "At my time of life opinions are tolerably fixed. It is not likely that I should now see or hear anything to change them." Chapter 17, pg. 81 They discuss Marianne and Edward's dispositions; Marianne remarks how reserved Edward acts, which makes him even more uncomfortable. He seems to know his behavior is not right, but he does nothing to correct it.