Chapter 21 Summary

The visit of the Palmers causes Elinor to think about how some people end up in marriages with people they are not very compatible with. In this chapter Sir John brings yet another pair of guests to Barton Park, the Steele sisters. Anne and Lucy are introduced to the Dashwoods during one of their visits to Barton Park, and the sisters do not find them to be good companions. In particular they find that the girls are not very refined, even if they are good looking. The Steeles do win over Lady Middleton by being friendly to her children. Near the end of the chapter Anne tells Elinor that she knows Edward Ferrars, which makes Elinor very curious.

Chapter 21 Analysis

This chapter puts Sir John's frequent invitations into a different perspective from that put forward by Marianne. Far from being confined to the...