Edward's mind, body and emotions

Edward's thoughts, emotions and intentions during the evening are affected by his body necessity. His mind reflects on the risks of failure determined by the overcoming of his blind desire of body pleasure: he fears not to be able to lead rationally his body, also in relation to Florence's expectations.

Edward's body and mind are hardly compatible: there is a sort of struggle between them because of the intention of checking impulsiveness.

His emotions are determined by it: he is fine only apparently, actually he doesn't feel at easy, he is troubled and nervous (Perhaps he was not quite as joyous as he kept telling himself he was. He felt a terrible pressure narrowing his thoughts,...).

He also distrusts the lads, thinking they may suppose his interior effort.

Florence's mind, body and emotions

Similarly to Edward, Florence lives a trouble between her body, that is disgusted by physical contact and wants to avoid Edward's body, and her mind, that imposes herself to resist: her mind works remembering her love feeling, her duties as wife, social rules on marriage... (her claustrophobia and breathlessness grew even as she became more determined that she could not bear to offend him).

Her rational intention is expressed mostly by the expression she could try to take possession of herself.

Florence's emotions are obviously determined by the inner fight and by the overcoming of mind or body: she is troubled and nervous, her temporary joy (in the conviction of Edward's satisfaction) is altered by disgust (when her body reason seem to win over her mind).