Edward Ferrars: He’s Actually a Good Guy
Edward suffers from two major problems when it comes to people liking him. Firstly, Jane Austen does not give him very many lines (Though he does hilariously make this comment about Marianne: And books!—Thomson, Cowper, Scott—she would buy them all over and over again: she would buy up every copy, I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands Ch 17). Secondly, it’s kind of scummy of him to raise Elinor’s expectations when he is already engaged to Lucy Steele. But, Edward has an amazing strength of character that makes Elinor love him and so should we!
Edward is shy and reserved and his career goal is to be a country clergyman. His family refuses to support him so he is trapped, he’s not rich enough to make a go of it himself (livings are expensive), so he’s stuck doing nothing. He’s miserable about it and yet he does not give in to his mother’s or sister’s ambitions. If Edward gave in, he might actually have his inheritance by now, but like our favourite heroines, Edward refuses to commit to something that he does not love just for money.
Edward is faithful against all opposition. He got engaged to Lucy and then falls out of love with her and starts to like Elinor. While he does try to get out of the engagement by any fair means, he never breaks his promise to Lucy. Even when he is disinherited, he persists in his loyalty to Lucy, a woman he doesn’t even love. “Elinor gloried in his integrity” Ch 38 and so should we!
Edward gave up the inheritance of an eldest son and instead was happy in, “the ready discharge of his duties in every particular, from an increasing attachment to his wife and his home.” Ch 50. No other man in Austen’s works is forced to give up his inheritance to marry the woman he loves. Darcy and Bingley probably disappointed their families, but no one can touch their wealth. Even Henry Tilney’s inheritance is secure, though his father could have probably made his life miserable. Knightley just has to live in a different ultra wealthy mansion for a few years to marry Emma. Edward alone gives up the most prized thing in Regency society (being an eldest son) and accepts a profession instead.
Lastly, even when he certainly could get back into his mother’s good graces, Edward doesn’t. Robert, Lucy, John, and Fanny all fight for the eventual Ferrars fortune and suck up to Mrs. Ferrars, but Edward just leaves with his 10k. He understands that happiness is different from wealth. This is something nearly all Austen villains cannot seem to grasp (especially most characters in this very novel).
Edward Ferrars: He had a really hard time in that novel and he deserves some appreciation.
Also, for a look at Edward’s perspective, I wrote him a “Wentworth letter” here.