Thursday 22 March 2012

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 188


Sorry this is early but I will be unable to post this weekend.

This quote is in honour of strong, "rational" women. It was our dear Icha's birthday this week so this quote is for her.

From chapter 8 of Persuasion, Frederick Wentworth is having a discussion with his sister Sophia (and her husband the Admiral) about whether women should travel alone on board a ship.


He begins:

"But, if I know myself,' said he, 'this is from no want of gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it.'

Later on she retorts:

'But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days."

Yes I think that some choppy waters can be the spice of life!



Happy Birthday Icha.


Pic: JASNA

2 comments:

Linda Fern said...

Aw, geez, Happy Birthday, Icha! I have it on my calendar and stiil overlooked it. Shame on me.

Hope you are doing okay, since I heard about some earthquakes over in that part of the world.

Do take care and hope you had a lovely day!!

Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Icha said...

Ohhh! Thanks so much dearest Rachel! What a quote! And thanks for the birthday wishes too. I'm now finishing the last round of our Balinese Silent Day (a new year day in Bali). No lights or sound around, just darkness and silence. Very nice...