Question about Sense & Sensibility

[FlightlessDuck]

First, I am a guy...

I have watched the Ang Lee/Ema Thompson movie version of this Jane Austen novel at least two times with my wife, and we are currently watching the BBC miniseries. I have never read the book, or an I really interested in doing so because British Romanticism isn't my thing.

But I have a question for people who have read the book and/or watched the movie before and/or understand this type of stuff. I know I asked my wife this before, but I don't remember her answer.

Edward Ferrars was secretly engaged to Lucy Steele (but falls out of love with her because she's a golddigger). Edward's mother, Mrs. Ferrars, finds out about this engagement and cuts Edward out of the estate, making Edward's brother, Robert, the sole heir.

Lucy and Edward break off their engagement, and Lucy marries Robert, who is now the rich one.

So, then why does Robert not lose out on his father's estate for marrying Lucy?

 

[NikitaZee]

When Mrs. Jennings was relating the scene at the Ferrars' to Elinor and Marianne, I believe her words were "it has been settled irrevocably on Master Robert".

 

[clarabelle]

The book basically says that Robert was always his mothers favorite.
So no real reason.
Mrs. Ferrars was just a witch

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The book basically says that Robert was always his mothers favorite.
So no real reason.
Mrs. Ferrars was just a witch

So it's not even a question about who Edward was marrying, Mrs. Ferrars just always hated Edward.

Well, that makes sense

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I believe her words were "it has been settled irrevocably on Master Robert".

"It" being the inheritance? As in Mrs. Ferrars couldn't change it even if she wanted to? I think I like the "she hates Edward" explanation better, because this just sounds like a plothole.

Maybe that's the way things worked back then, since inheritence passed from father to son (although you'd think legally Mrs. Ferrars wouldn't be able to change it to begin with).

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have nothing to add other than a for being a good egg and watching with your wife. Every so often my husband sits through one of 'MY' interests and it is very much appreciated, it helps me sit through one of the MMA fights I so do not love

Give & take means a happy home

 

[clarabelle]

"It" being the inheritance? As in Mrs. Ferrars couldn't change it even if she wanted to? I think I like the "she hates Edward" explanation better, because this just sounds like a plothole.

Maybe that's the way things worked back then, since inheritence passed from father to son (although you'd think legally Mrs. Ferrars wouldn't be able to change it to begin with).

Mrs. Ferrars pretends it is because of their marriage choices -but really Edward is a big disappointment to her. She wants a dashing officer or a lawyer but gets an unassuming clergy member.
The Dashwood's inheritance is entailed (has to go to male heirs) The Ferrars' inheritance is not. It is Mrs. Ferrars money to do with as she wishes.

 

[clarabelle]

I wanted to add -that I think it is nice of you to watch with your wife too.

Also -the beauty of Jane Austen's books is that you get such character development!
You have a very clear picture you can see in your head of the evil Mrs. Ferrars the selfish Fannie the shy Edward and the silly and vain Robert.
For me it is what makes them more than simple romances.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The Dashwood's inheritance is entailed (has to go to male heirs) The Ferrars' inheritance is not. It is Mrs. Ferrars money to do with as she wishes.

Ah. It wasn't Mr. Ferrars's money. OK

 

[si-am]

Once it was given to Robert, it couldn't be undone.

 

[kathmzh]

I always wondered the same thing, and sort of assumed Lucy and Robert got married in secret. That leaves Mrs. Ferrers with two dissappointments in daughters-in-law, so she left the money to the son she liked best and the most like her....

 

[TwingleMum]

One of my favorite movies

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW, I'd recommend reading it. If you haven't read JA since high school, you might be surprised how funny she is. And how modern some of it is; just when we want to think that things are sooo different nowadays, she'll pop out with something that makes you realize humans are all just humans, always have been and always will be.

When hubby got the Kindle job and I got to have one of my very own, I downloaded a bunch of free books. JA has a few. Since they were free, and there on the Kindle, I read them, and they were GREAT!

In high school they were just a bore, but as an adult with fresh eyes it was very different.