led to happiness. I only came to Austen when I was in my late 20s, but I could understand Marianne's passions as I'd been much like that when I was young. I am currently re-reading this book. I am now 60 and I find Marianne a bit annoying, and her emotional growth towards the end is a relief.

change. They gain some emotional maturity. At the end of the book, that is what Marianne gains. She learns some of it from Elinor. She also finds value in a steadfast, calm heart vs the tempestuous passion of youth. Her happiness wasn't an afterthought. She learned that it wasn't only passion that

be miserable and increase her misery at every opportunity rather than striving to process and come through the other side, the way Elinor did. Yes, W was a bastard but he did love her, she at least had that. One of the great things about Austen's books is how many of her characters learn, grow, and

Marianne's heartbreak was certainly painful and justified. She was very in love and found her love was wanting. I feel Austen is making a very good point about wallowing and feeding one's agony vs making an effort to come out the other side. Marianne nearly killed herself with her determination to