Begins in the scene where Willoughby confesses all his wrongs to Elinor. Don't tear me to pieces if I'm insulting you favorite book.
Sense and Stupidity
By Matty J Rad
Willoughby: "I truly loved Marianne, but alas, should I have married her I would have naught to live on. I'm truly sorry, Elinor: sorry from her suffering. If there was anything I could do to reverse this torture I would."
Elinor: "Mr. Willoughby, you say that you cannot love Marianne due to your expensive habits and necessity of monetary support? You cannot love her because you have no money of your own?"
"Indeed, Elinor. My soul agonizes over the pain I have caused Marianne due to this fact. If there was a simple answer to remedy the situation I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to be with her, but sadly, I can do nothing."
"Mr. Willoughby, perhaps you could take up an occupation. That would remedy the situation quite well."
"What?"
"Why don't you get a job and build your own fortune to live with Marianne?"
"You mean to say… consider employment? Work?"
"Indeed. You say that you would do anything to be with Marianne, and she perceptibly loves you, so perhaps you could find an area of work you excel at and live off your own money. That would be much nicer than Marianne having no other alternative but to marry a man at least thirty years older than her, (which is to say: Colonel Brandon)."
"Oh yes… ha, well. I suppose that is a magnificent idea, but I… well- erm…"
Silence
"You see, I have a bad back. I couldn't possibly work with a back as poorly formed as mine."
"Surely there are occupations that do not require physical labor. You wouldn't have to strain your back."
"I… suppose… so…. Well, once again, sorry for all the trouble! I'll just be on my way, for all I came here for was to apologize! Farewell, Elinor!"
"Bloody bastard! Scabby stingy bastard!"
Did anybody else think it was absurd that nobody in the book had jobs? Maybe I just can't comprehend all this 17th century British aristocratic romance.