The Duality of Manhood, Essay Example

Sometimes the literary world can demonstrate certain perspectives of reality that people often neglect or do not notice even if they happen in their own life in front of them. It is particularly the case of one’s romantic involvement and love affair. The best examples of the complexity of love and understanding one’s feelings are works of Jane Austen. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast John Willoughby and Colonel Brandon in terms of their backgrounds, actions and love to Marianne.

From the very beginning, the two characters are described as complete oppositions of one another. Willoughby is young, full of passion for life and enjoys himself irrespective of social perceptions and prejudice (Seeber 228). He comes from a rich family and he uses the money of his mother to remain influential in the society. At the first encounter, he is described as a charmer: “his manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of general admiration” (Austen 29). He represents a classic dandy who spends his family’s fortune for his pleasure. On the other hand, Brandon demonstrates a different type of masculinity – a proper gentleman, who is in charge of his family’s future and served his country in the military field (Copeland and McMaster 51). He is not afraid to take responsibility for his actions and fulfils his duty no matter what. However, unlike Willoughby he does not show his inner virtue or aims to attract female attention through his looks. In this regard, he was described as follows: “he was silent and grave; his appearance however was not unpleasing, in spite of his being in the opinion of Marianne and Margaret as absolute old bachelor… but though his face was not handsome, his countenance was sensible, and his address was particularly gentlemanlike” (Austen 23). Thus, two men differed in their appearances as spring and autumn.

Just as their appearances and their positions in the society, the two men demonstrated different types of manhood showed in their actions and attitudes.  Willoughby lived according his own desires and preferences; he did not care about duties and responsibilities or consequences of his actions. From the material perspective, he was accustomed to live at higher cost than his property could provide, in other words he was spending his family fortune: “his estate had been rated by Sir John at about six or seven hundred a year, but he lived at an expense to which that income could hardly be equal” (Austen 49). The same was his attitude to Eliza, who had a child from him and his reluctance to take responsibility for them. On the other hand, Brandon represents a true masculinity – a man who looks after women dependent on him, acts according to his honour and helps those in need like when he agreed to help Edward: “Colonel Brandon means it as a testimony of his concern for what has lately passed” (Austen 200). Brandon considers that a true man and gentleman should take responsibility for his actions and help other according to the code of honour and justice (Copeland and McMaster 67).

In terms of love for Marianne, Willoughby, loved her, but it was a romantic, short-term love that could not overcome his greater love for himself and his ambitions. However, he still cared for her: “to see Marianne, I felt, would be dreadful, and I even doubted whether I could see her again and keep to my resolution” (Austen 225). Unlike Willoughby’s love, Brandon’s love for Marianne was self-sacrificial, overwhelming and deep. He only wanted to see her happy even it was with a different man (Seeber 227). He did not want her to suffer like his previous love Liza and only wanted to see her smile. He suffered only to make her happy: “remembering Colonel Brandon, reproved herself, felt that to his sufferings and his constancy far from than to his rival’s, the reward of her sister was due” (Austen 232).

Overall, from all mentioned above, it can be concluded that the two men demonstrate two different types of men: Willoughby was charming, good-looking man but his love was short-termed and his actions irresponsible just due to his character and youth. On the other hand, Brandon demonstrates a man of honour, a mature individual ready to take responsibility for his actions and people around him. His love for Marianne was sacrificial and true.

Works Cited

Austen, J. Sense and Sensibility. 2008. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/161/161-pdf.pdf

Copeland, E. and McMaster, J. The Cambridge Companion to Jane Austen. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1997.

Seeber, B.K. ““I See Every Thing As You Desire Me to Do”: The Scolding and Schooling of Marianne Dashwood” Eighteenth-Century Fiction, 11.2 (1999): 223-234.