julesb218
09-26-2008, 06:39 PM
There's a passage that I don't quite understand. When Elinor asks him about him leaving Eliza, he says
I acknowledge that her situation should have been respected by me. I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose I have nothing to urge, that because she was injured, she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint. If the violence of her passions, the weakness of her understanding - I do not mean, how ever to defend myself."
Was he saying that she was equally to blame because of her passion and lack of understanding?
I acknowledge that her situation should have been respected by me. I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose I have nothing to urge, that because she was injured, she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint. If the violence of her passions, the weakness of her understanding - I do not mean, how ever to defend myself."
Was he saying that she was equally to blame because of her passion and lack of understanding?