1 Down, 5 to Go

I finished Sense & Sensibility today. I'm clearly doing better reading than blogging since I haven't written anything since the first post. Not that I don't have a few thoughts, so I should have some post-S&S posts to come.

Here's a tidbit:

Elinor vs Willoughby

Elinor is one of the best characters in literature. Willoughby is one of the most despicable. There are many characters that do more and do worse and are more extravagant but are therefore also less likely to live in your city, neighborhood, household or even your own character.

Elinor never stops thinking of others. Willoughby never stops thinking of himself. Either one could be you or I.

Elinor is not a superhero. Willoughby is not a super villain. You might see them in the store or in the mirror each morning.

Unfortunately we are so rarely like Elinor.

Unfortunately we are so often like Willoughby.

Though people like Elinor might be accused of making life bland if considerably happy, it's when we're like Willoughby that life is made miserable.

If you've never read Austen, she created incredible characters. They alone make her books worth reading.