Comparative analysis between Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby

Sense and Sensibility, written by Jane Austen, is a female-based novel. The story of two sisters named Elinor Dashwood and Marianne Dashwood is beautifully depicted in this novel. In this novel, we observe the love and marriage of these two sisters. In comparison to that, it is difficult to say that much importance has been given to male characters. Three male characters catch the attention of the readers; they are Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, and John Willoughby. These three male characters were of three different types in which Edward loved Elinor. On the other hand, Colonel Brandon loved Marianne, whereas Marianne loved Willoughby. So, in this novel, the different backgrounds of three male characters have created a unique attraction in the minds of the readers. 

First of all, Edward Ferrars deserves priority. He draws special feelings from the readers because he was always the victim of circumstances. In his childhood, Edward’s mother and sister gave him much mental stress, and his younger brother was also not well-behaved. That means he was born in such a family where all were ill-mannered except him. Eventually, he plunged into loneliness and depression, and submerging in mental agony, he fell in love with such a girl who did not deserve him. His love for Lucie Steele derived from loneliness and depression caused by his mother and sister instead of romanticism. So, we always feel compassion towards Edward.

When Edward saw Elinor, again disappointment prevails in his mind. Elinor was a very accomplished girl, but he knew Elinor was committed to Lucy Steele. So, it is not possible for him to marry Elinor, and ultimately he moves far away from Elinor before being close to her. Edward goes through horns and dilemmas, and finally, when he decided to marry Lucy, his mother deprived him of property. Then Lucy betrayed him. This betrayal brings forth a good message for him by marrying Elinor. Edward is a gentleman, and among the male characters, he is the best, and sometimes it seems he possessed less personality, but he was courageous and did not have a lack of honesty. He was committed to Lucy, so with a view to keeping his commitment, he left the intoxication of property. Later on, he knew that his mother did not like Elinor very much, despite that he had made up his mind to marry Elinor. So, it is not reasonable to say that he had no strong personality. Rather, it should be said that he was the victim of his ill fate. He became happy with Elinor in their conjugal life because he was a good human.

John Willoughby was completely the reverse of Edward Ferrars. Though he was well educated, cultural-minded, and handsome, he was not a good-natured person. Marianne fell in deep love with him. On the other hand, Willoughby did not dislike her, but he was a "playboy" type of fellow. When he realized that if he married Marianne, her aunt would deprive him of property rather than consent, he married a wealthy woman, and he eventually became the owner of the property but not peace.

Willoughby was a bad man, but somewhere he was a jinx. Before meeting Marianne, he was an ill-natured man who got into debt and had personal and mental problems. Perhaps he would be happy marrying Marianne, and many problems could be solved by getting help from her because she loved him very much, but Willoughby did not have such a strong personality. So, he could not think of marrying Marianne, ignoring everything. Later, he regretted a lot why he was not happy. He deserved what happened in his life.

Colonel Brandon was a good-natured man, but ill fortune always accompanied him. At his young age, he loved a girl whom his father did not accept and kicked this girl out of the house and, on the other hand, compelled Brandon to join the Army. Eventually, Brandon’s heart broke down, and he was in depression for many years. Braden was 35 years old and unmarried when this novel started. He fell in love with Marianne at first sight, but Marianne did not like him considering him aged and unattractive. Actually, he had nothing to attract, and sometimes he seemed to be a boring person. But he had many good qualities, the greatest of which was benefiting the people selflessly. He was devoted to Marianne, though he knew her unwillingness to marry him. On the other hand, when he heard that Edward Ferrars’ mother disposed him of his property, he came forward to help him. This type of mentality is rare at all ages. So, we should respect Colonel Brandon.

He was ill-fated, and grief always accompanied him. At length, along with Marianne, everybody noticed his qualities, and Marianne married him. Jane Austin does not mention how much happier their conjugal life was. But Colonel Brandon is fortunate that Marianne married him.

Among the three male characters, Jane Austen liked Edward the most because he became happy. Jane Austen wanted to make it clear that people like Willoughby will never be happy in their lives and that girls should avoid dating such people. Colonel Brandon is not attractive, but he is a good man, and if any girl marries him, she will not be unhappy. But the ideal person is Edward because he has good qualities, strong ethics, and honesty.