InsaneJournal

Penelope is an introverted, perceptive and intuitive person; traits which help her in her role as Lady Whistledown but rather hinder her within the social whirl of the ton. Although she may seem quiet and unassuming, she has a vibrant and passionate inner life, in fact the duality of her two personas is a key element of her personality. She is both strong and weak, fearful and courageous, aggressive and passive, generous and petty; she is a bundle of opposites because she cannot show her true self in society – even if anyone cared to notice her to see her as more than an ‘ugly girl with no personality’. She is sensitive and intelligent but few people are aware of this as her own awkwardness and insecurity make her unable to express herself in society. No one listens to her when she says things in person, often not even realizing she is there, but everyone listens to Lady Whistledown. Penelope often feels lonely or invisible, adrift in a world that doesn’t seem to appreciate the traits that make her unique.

Her struggle with self-doubt and her need for societal acceptance, that she feels is constantly out of reach, has forced her to pretend to be someone she is not in society. Once people get to know her, they are treated to a much different woman, naturally empathetic with a quietly rebellious streak and a sharp wit. She enjoys society, and gossip though she prefers to observe rather than be at the center of attention, she enjoys a good book and focuses on dreams and possibilities making her more than a little bit of a romantic at heart. She’s been in love with Colin Bridgerton since she was sixteen and though she knows it is hopeless still cannot relinquish the friendship or the tiny bit of hope his seeking her out inspires until she hears him speaking unkindly about her.

Sensitive, creative, and loyal she is driven by a sense of duty and commitment and will defend those she cares for more tenaciously than they will defend themselves. She has little in common with her own family – and they will likely never understand her - but she still loves them despite their treatment of her. Her own insecurities can cause her to react against others passive-aggressively, and make her evasive and at time cruel.

Penelope can be a little bit manipulative and selfish, using Lady Whistledown to achieve her own ends though she is likely unaware that is what she is doing. It is true that she wanted to save Colin and Eloise from worse fates when she wrote damaging things about them, but she had self serving motives as well; she didn't want Colin to marry Marina, however futile her own feelings for him might be, and she didn't want ELoise to take credit for being Lady Whistledown. She certainly felt pain when she had to hurt the people she cares for most in the world but she also feels pride at her accomplishment in writing and publishing Whistledown and in the power her alter ego has over the ton (and the Queen) when she herself has none.