What role does lucy steele play in the development of the plot? how does austen use lucy steele to deepen her characterization of both elinor and edward?

Lucy Steele helps develop the plot by showing that sense alone can also deprive you of love and leave you blind. As Elinor had not voiced her inclination towards Edward and because she did not let her emotions, in moderation, guide her logic. Throughout the novel, it is thought that Elinor would surely have an engagement with Edward Farrer however, with the news that Lucy had been his secret engagement it shattered the thought that sense had overtaken sensibility. In the end, when Lucy decides to mary Edwards younger brother instead because of financial security it goes to yet again demonstrate the value of connections versus attachments. Elinor realizes that at times she conceals things too much and does not allow herself to feel. Edward slowly grows in the novel as more is revealed about his character. Edward is also very conservative like Elinor and has a hard time expressing himself as Marianne does. Yet again Jane Austen is showing that one cannot be full of strict sense or strictly sensibility. Austen demonstrates that you need both in moderation to fully escape societies norms and create a healthy relationship. By utilizing Lucy Steele it is the biggest reminder of this as both characters beginning to transform and mature through these truths. At the time most people searched for happiness within love instead of within one's inward self. However, on this search of love the characters were so infatuated with the ideas of love opposed to what love actually is and the realistic ideals that follow it.

Explanation:

the reason some people sacrifice their own life for another person's life could be that they are in love with them and would do anything to keep them safe a protected even if that means risking their life in the process