I never wish to offend, but I am foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural aukwardness. I have frequently thought that I must have been intended by nature to be fond of low company, I am so little at ease among strangers of gentility!
Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility, Chapter XVII, page 69
Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. Claudia L. Johnson. New York: Norton, 2002.
Edward is so honest here regarding his character, it almost feels as if he is speaking his feelings aloud to himself. This passage allows us insight into the way that he views himself as well as his qualities and manner in social circumstances. Because of his fear to offend anyone, he is shy and reserved, which is misinterpreted by people sometimes as disinterest, apathy, or as he terms it, "negligence." This keeps him back from being true to his own character, and thus he dons a mask of his own, although it offers him little comfort and protection when in the company of gentility. This is interesting, as in this moment, in the company of the Dashwood sisters, he allows his mask to slip. Low company held high enough in his regard for him to share a bit of his true thoughts, feelings, as well as his true self. After all, there is no gentleness to be found among the gentility, especially when they are all strangers or acquaintances who you cannot be yourself around.
