Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Edmund Bertram

You may be wondering why on earth Edmund doesn't qualify for love interest status. Well, he is a love interest to be sure, but we'd like to argue that Edmund's more important role in the book is that of mentor and guide to Fanny. Edmund essentially makes Fanny who she is as an adult. She adopts his opinions and attitudes, she strives to please him, she models herself after him. Fanny often laments her lack of a female mentor/mother figure throughout the book. But when in doubt, on issues other than fashion and female issues, she relies on Edmund's judgment. As much as Fanny loves Edmund, she also idolizes him, which makes him more of a guide figure at times than a love interest.