Imogen Stubbs as Lucy Steele in Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Lucy Ferrars (née Steele) is a character in Sense and Sensibility. She is married to Robert Ferrars, but was engaged to Edward Ferrars for quite a long time. She is the younger sister of Anne Steele, and sister-in-law to Edward Ferrars and Fanny Dashwood.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Lucy and Edward entered into a secret betrothal when they were quite young. Lucy still was attracted to his money and position several years after that.
Stay at Barton[]
Lucy and her elder sister Anne were guests of Sir John Middleton at Barton Park. Sir John was quite excited to introduce the Dashwoods to the Steeles, proclaiming them the sweetest girls in existence[1]. Anne and Lucy played the part of excellent guests, endearing themselves to the cold and aloof Lady Middleton by heaping praises on her children[1]. They were cousins, but Lady Middleton soon saw all their tricks. Later, when talking with the Miss Dashwoods, the Miss Steeles heaped praises on Lady Middleton, which Marianne Dashwood Brandon disagreed with wholeheartedly.
Personality and traits[]
Although Lucy is pretty and outwardly sweet, she's no Dashwood; compared to genuinely good-hearted Elinor Dashwood Ferrars and Marianne Dashwood Brandon, Lucy comes off as cold, sneaky, and more than a little mean in comparison. Her treachery is made all the worse by the fact that she looks so nice and kind on the outside – so much so that she basically tricks all the other characters into liking her. Her deeds, however, are pretty despicable. Through the course of the novel, she manages to break poor Elinor's heart, plague Edward's life for a number of years, then dump him for his own brother in the pursuit of financial fortune and social standing.
Relationships[]
Edward Ferrars
Lucy and Edward entered into a secret betrothal when they were quite young. Lucy still was attracted to his money and position several years after that.
Elinor Dashwood
Lucy comes to her in the form a friendly acquaintance due to someone praising Elinor to Lucy (most likely Edward). This acquaintance formed is secretly disguised as envy as Lucy unfolds the truth of her union with Edward, thus breaking Elinor’s heart.
Elinor is reluctantly bound by her word to keep her secret while also gaining dislike towards her knowing her affections are false in regards to Edward. Unlike how welcoming she was upon acquaintance, Elinor becomes politely distant and short with her due to lack of respect of her intentions. She keep the secret until it is found out by Fanny and exposed to the public.