Love’s Fickle Anger

Have you ever been so filled with anger, disappointment, and hurt from someone you love that it blinds your vision to the reality of that person’s perspective, even his/her humanity? It’s a kind of selfish anger, one bred from righteous indignation. There are plenty of legitimate reasons one might feel this type of anger, and in most of those, it doesn’t matter if you understand the perspective of the person in the wrong because nothing could justify his/her behavior.

But, regarding this situation - I felt slightly bothered by AL’s approach to AW prior to this scene. It felt as though she was pressuring her and her frustration, albeit justifiable, lacked empathy. AL assumes she knows the whole story behind AW’s ambivalence and in response to AW's basket with a non-answer on her proposal, AL rage walks to Lightcliffe. Seething, she furiously loosens her cravat while waiting for Ann to show herself. She was hot (the angry kind of hot...which was also hot). As we know, AW breaks down, leaving her totally vulnerable; AL mentally and emotionally acknowledges her humanity and the validity of her actions. This results in AL’s rage finding its way to a justifiable place: Mr. Ainsworth and his reprehensible behavior. Ah, love, such a fickle little thing – it makes us act in all sorts of ways.