Which Type of Personality Do You Lean Toward: Elinor or Marianne?
A while back, I was strolling around my lovely new neighborhood, gazing at all the quaint Craftsman homes and drooling over the lush hydrangea bushes. (True fact: They come in a badass dark purple color!)
Just when I was passing what I assume is the South of the Statue of Liberty's Atlanta outpost – the iron gate and house are entangled in vines, and the yard is all rundown, for some odd reason, wandering around like a chicken coop), the sky cracked open with an ear-splitting thunderclap. And it lingered there, probably because the sweltering humidity was acting like a sonic amplifier.
Instead of hightailing it back to my home like any sane person, I stretched my arms out and, for a moment, danced a few steps like a lunatic. I thought to myself, "There's just not much that's more EPIC than this. At least I don't think so, dear Elinor. Even though my inner Elinor was already panicking and ordering my inner Marianne to haul my feet back to safety."
Now lest you think I'm some Jane Austen superfan with a collection of all her works, including obscure recipes and those annoying letters about needlepoint, let me stop you right there. I just love a good love story, dammit!
So, imagine if you will, a fairytale world where two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, are the stars of the show, each representing wisdom and passion, respectively. Elinor is nothing short of a stalwart, a paragon of stoicism, keeping her emotions close to her vest. When her family loses everything, she's quick to pick up the pieces and figure out where they'll live, and how they'll survive. She's logical, thoughtful, and steadfast as a rock, hiding her feelings from the world to protect others.
Marianne, on the other hand, is a tempest, explosive and emotional, giving zero f*cks about social norms. She has a flair for the dramatic, playing melodramatic music on the piano, and lets her heart guide her every move. She encourages others to feel deeply, be open, and live with passion.
In other words, Elinor is the Queen of Reason, reminding me of a super-mediocre Snow White, while Marianne is the embodiment of Emotion, like a red-hot Rose Red. Elinor speaks slowly, careful not to be misunderstood. She's level-headed and punctual. She's the voice of reason and the guardian of order.
Marianne, however, is free-spirited and passionate. She's a firecracker. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, needs no approval from anyone, and doesn't shy away from sharing her deepest feelings. She's the life of the party, the one who makes things exciting.
For most of my life, I was all about Elinor. But as the years have passed, I've learned to appreciate Marianne's zest for life, even if it's a bit maddening at times. I can see her spirit buried inside myself, waiting to be set free.
I've always been reliable, a stickler for organization, and valuing routine over spontaneity. My closet is color-coordinated, and I plan my vacations down to the minute. Marianne makes me cringe with her impulsiveness and lack of forethought, but I can't help admiring her bravery, her courage to act on her emotions without fear of reprisal.
Elinor used to frustrate the hell out of me, her "sense" ruining the fun. But now I see that she's the gatekeeper of practicality, the Voice of Reason that keeps me sane.
So, my lovelies, are you an Elinor or a Marianne? A Snow White or a Rose Red? What do you love about each, and which one speaks to your inner heart? Drop me a comment and let's chat!
Psst! Want to take this little quiz to find out? Click here!
References
[1] - Austen, J. (1811). Sense and Sensibility. Ed. R.W. Chapman. Oxford: Clarendon, 1923.[2] - Millard, A. (1991). 'A pause of reflection': The structure and significance of the silences in Sense and Sensibility. In W. Shepler and V. Richards (eds.), Readings on Sense and Sensibility. Washington, D.C.: Three Continents Press.[3] - Brown, M. (2015). The women's orientation in Sense and Sensibility. Women in Austen and her Predecessors, 12(1), 32-48.[4] - Krohn, C. (2014). Rousseau and Austen: Sisterly affection in Sense and Sensibility. Senses of Cinema, 65.[5] - Driscoll, K. (2005). Feminist dilemmas and class conflicts in Sense and Sensibility. The Journal of Popular Culture, 38(6), 963-978.
- In my pursuit of personal growth and education, I often find myself contemplating the balance between lifestyle and relationships, much like the characters in Sense and Sensibility, where Elinor represents the practical approach to home and garden while Marianne embodies fashion-and-beauty and emotional connections.
- As I engage in self-development and strive to embrace my inner Marianne, I am introduced to new realms such as relationships, expanding my understanding of the importance of empathy and open communication.
- With a keen interest in both education-and-self-development and lifestyle, I aspire to cultivate a home-and-garden that reflects my personality – a blend of Elinor's order and efficiency with Marianne's flair and passion, thus creating a harmonious sanctuary for growth, both inward and outward.
