One of the most striking things about Vol III of Walsingham is the relationship between male and female expressions of sensibility. Walsingham is very openly sensible, and we see this in his oral and written manner of self-expression throughout the novel. However it comes across to the reader aside, in the novel Walsingham is still viewed as a man of temperance and commanding some level of respect. However, Amelia's outward display of sensibility is looked down upon by Walsingham.
After it is revealed that a former tenant of Mrs Woodford will be taking up residence once again with them and that it is he who will be taking Amelia's hand in marriage at her mother's beckoning, Amelia exhibits a scene in which she is overcome with emotion- her disdain of the arranged marriage and her love for Walsingham. The next day, when Walsingham finds her composed as "perfectly mistress of herself" (pp 265), Walsingham praises her on the "sudden and commanding severity of [her] conduct" noting that now, through the change from being fraught with emotions to being calm and collected, he could "respect" and "admire" her once more (pp 265).
Walsingham says this to her after she professes her love for him- a feeling that he requites with a love for her as well. So, why is it that he wasn't able to "respect" and "admire" Amelia while in the throes of passionate expression, when he expresses himself much the same in general? I find it interesting that even though over expression of emotionality is a stereotypically female characteristic- even in this time period- it is more acceptable for a man to display sensibility than for a woman to.
Yeah I thought it was strange that Walsingham and Amelia both have excessive sensibility at times, and yet not only does Walsingham kind of put her down for hers, she is thrown into a psych-ward and experimented on because of it while he just continues on.
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