Meeting Mariana

After being good friends through this blog for a long time now, I finally managed to meet one of the blog's most loyal fans. Marianna and her husband visited England and Jane Austen's homeland last week and I was fortunate enough to meet up with them at the airport before their return home.

It nearly didnt happen (sorry guys!) but I am so glad that it did, even if it was far too short. Both Marianna and her husband are such wonderful people and I am so happy that I had the time I did to chat with them. I was furnished with gifts from Canada and embraced with such care and warmth.

Mariana, your passion for Jane is uplifting and exciting. I really do hope that you can come here again and we can explore more of Jane's life together. Icha, Linda, Michelle and our other loyal friends, you are most welcome too. I have faith that one day it will happen and I am already excited.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 120

This weekend I choose a famous quote from Marianne Dashwood that echoes what has been happening to my life. Although Marianne was in her reckless age when she uttered it, there is a grain of truth there, and some of them applies to me now. Sense & Sensibility Chapter 12:

It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.

I met someone about two months ago, and we started seeing each two weeks after. We're going steady. Externally, our development may be considered as being too quickly, but I just think that it's the right time. This is where I agree and disagree at the same time with Marianne. Timing is also important, opportunity is also important. We would not have come this far had we not met at the right time, moment, setting, etc. Of course our dispositions, i.e. our characters is also an important factor, but we both agree that had we met six months ago or so, this would not happen. It was not the right time.

But now, it is the right time. We're of the right age and maturity to move on. And I'm very grateful for every moment I spend with him.

May Love, in whatever forms, graces you all.

Pic: Lovely Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 119

The theme of trust to Icha's quote from last week stayed with me and I have been thinking about it often the last few days.

I do agree with her observation that it is beneficial to place a degree of trust in a person to begin a relationship but I also think that it is crucial to balance this with awareness and vigilance (as Linda stated in the comments) to ensure that you do not get deceived and consequently hurt.

This led me to think about Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Upon first meeting Wickham, she trusted him. She believed everything he said to be true.
Conversely, she did not like Mr Darcy. Of course he did not present her with many attributes in which she could like but she didnt trust him.
It is not until chapter 36 of the novel when she reads the letter written to her by Darcy and she starts to have her doubts.
She finds his arrogance insulting:

"He expressed no regret for what he had done which satisfied her; his style was not penitent, but haughty. It was all pride and insolence."

The letter does however sew some seeds of doubt regarding the true nature of Wickham:


"How differently did everything now appear in which he was concerned! His attentions to Miss King were now the consequence of views solely and hatefully mercenary; and the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer the moderation of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp at anything."

Overall, she is confused and does not know what to think. All she knows is that:

"She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd. -"

I think my point is that both trusting and not trusting is dangerous. She feels ashamed for misplacing her trust but it is a common mistake for us all. But to place no trust at all in a person can lead to a very lonely life ...

In chapter 44 after she has seen Mr Darcy at Pemberley, Elizabeth is beginning to acknowledge her positive feelings for him; her trust in his good nature is growing:

"The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced."

Sorry for using so many quotes but I thought they all illustrated the point that we must place trust in people to make mistakes, learn and grow as a person.

Pic: Wickham and Darcy

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 118

For this week, I purposely tried to search for a quote about trusting someone. I first focused myself on either Darcy (for his innate mistrust) or Wentworth (for secretly being jealous for Anne Elliot going out with Cousin Elliot)… but it wasn’t quite right. Then I remember Jane Bennet, and search for quotes about her in Pemberley. And here’s what I found, which I think suits my need now.

Volume I Chapter IV on Pride and Prejudice, when Elizabeth and Jane were talking about Mr Bingley. Said Elizabeth:

"Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.''

I often think that Jane was too goody goody sometimes, akin to Melanie Hamilton in Gone with the Wind. But… perhaps these traits are important too. Although we must be vigilant, we also must reserve faith in someone or something. Otherwise, we would end up like Elizabeth, mistrusting Darcy and trusting Wickham instead of the other way around.

I will explain it. I had a project in Bali where I talked with the local people about a conservation issue. Being a young female researcher, it wasn’t easy for me to win their trust. Some mishaps and misunderstanding also took place. Eventually, I realised it wasn’t enough for me to declare my best intentions to them. I also had to decide to trust them first, despite their external appearances (some of them were very scary for me, the first time I met them!). And indeed, lo and behold! Once I decided to trust them and trust my best intentions at the same time, better things happened. We started to understand each other better.

Often in our interactions with people, we must start with the conscious decision to trust them first, instead of the other way around. Yes, true, trust must be earned. But sometimes, it’s also worth it to invest on trust first before the whole business starts rolling.

I sound like a financial expert, hey?

Pic: Jane Bennet (Susannah Harker) from PP 1995

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 117 by Linda

In Chapter 11 of Emma we find a description of Mr. John Knightley that gives us quite a display of Jane Austen’s ability to draw a character with depth. Please excuse the very long quote, since it displays her talent so well.

Mr. John Knightley was a tall, gentleman-like, and very clever man; rising in his profession, domestic, and respectable in his private character; but with reserved manners which prevented his being generally pleasing; and capable of being sometimes out of humour. He was not an ill-tempered man, not so often unreasonably cross as to deserve such a reproach; but his temper was not his great perfection; and, indeed, with such a worshipping wife, it was hardly possible that any natural defects in it should not be increased. The extreme sweetness of her temper must hurt his. He had all the clearness and quickness of mind which she wanted, and he could sometimes act an ungracious, or say a severe thing. He was not a great favourite with his fair sister-in-law. Nothing wrong in him escaped her. She was quick in feeling the little injuries to Isabella, which Isabella never felt herself. Perhaps she might have passed over more had his manners been flattering to Isabella's sister, but they were only those of a calmly kind brother and friend, without praise and without blindness; but hardly any degree of personal compliment could have made her regardless of that greatest fault of all in her eyes which he sometimes fell into, the want of respectful forbearance towards her father. There he had not always the patience that could have been wished. Mr. Woodhouse's peculiarities and fidgettiness were sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or sharp retort equally ill bestowed. It did not often happen; for Mr. John Knightley had really a great regard for his father-in-law, and generally a strong sense of what was due to him; but it was too often for Emma's charity, especially as there was all the pain of apprehension frequently to be endured, though the offence came not. The beginning, however, of every visit displayed none but the properest feelings, and this being of necessity so short might be hoped to pass away in unsullied cordiality. They had not been long seated and composed when Mr. Woodhouse, with a melancholy shake of the head and a sigh, called his daughter's attention to the sad change at Hartfield since she had been there last.

All I can say is WOW! We have all the nuances of character that can be had.


Linda the Librarian

Pic: Mr John Knightley

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 116 - by Linda

In Chapter 10 of Emma we find Harriet and Emma out walking and Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family who lived a little way out of Highbury. Several topics are discussed and then we come to this:

They were now approaching the cottage, and all idle topics were superseded. Emma was very compassionate; and the distresses of the poor were as sure of relief from her personal attention and kindness, her counsel and her patience, as from her purse. She understood their ways, could allow for their ignorance and their temptations, had no romantic expectations of extraordinary virtue from those, for whom education had done so little; entered into their troubles with ready sympathy, and always gave her assistance with as much intelligence as good-will.

If only the whole world could act as Emma did with understanding and support, it would be a better place. There would be no need for all those government programs. I can remember way back in my younger days when our community did just that. We took care of our own.

End of today’s sermon.

Yrs most aff’ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Emma Woodhouse (Kate Beckinsale) and Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton) from Emma 1996, from Jimandellen

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 115

I have chosen to honour Sense and Sensibility this week and the wonderful character of Elinor. In Chapter 24 Elinor has to listen to Lucy Steele talking of her love for Edward Ferrars.

"and Elinor sat down to the card-table with the melancholy persuasion that Edward was not only without affection for the person who was to be his wife; but that he had not even the chance of being tolerably happy in marriage, which sincere affection on her side would have given, for self-interest alone could induce a woman to keep a man to an engagement, of which she seemed so thoroughly aware that he was weary."

This week I have been in two conversations where I have been told 'you are such a romantic'. I left these conversations with a negative feeling about the fact that I live in the ideal world rather than the realistic one. After reflection I realised that it was not such a bad thing. I want to marry for love. I dont want to marry because maybe I, or the man I may marry, has a focus on self-interest alone and not happiness. I found that this quote inspired me. Elinor realises what is important. She is melancholy by the situation where a person will be committing to another in life-long marriage but leaving their heart behind with another. That still happens today and that makes me melancholy too.


Pic: Edward and Elinor

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 114

Yesterday I experienced something that made me recall this famous quote uttered by none other than Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. Pride & Prejudice Volume 1 Chapter 11, when Darcy was confronted by Elizabeth in Netherfield (thanks to Pemberley for the direct quote):

"I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. -- It is I believe too little yielding -- certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. -- My good opinion once lost is lost for ever.''

Darcy is - surprise, surprise - never my favourite Austen hero. But I can understand how his good opinion "once lost is lost for ever".

I was tempted to follow Darcy's track yesterday, as I clashed with a friend of mine over something of utterly no importance to him, but utterly important to me. The 'war' escalated yesterday afternoon until I decided that I did not have to like him, for I had tried to trust him and the trust was often violated. To my angry eyes, he had failed miserably and I could not trust nor like him anymore. The friendship to me is over; and I just have to be civil and polite to him, but minding my own business onwards.

This morning though, I talked to him (he's my housemate) and we finally reached an agreement about something very important to me and many women (household management), and he was willing to negotiate his schedule to shoulder his share in the house. We became civil again and talked a bit. War is over.

But then I also realised, I still don't have to force myself to like him. I just have to learn to live with him and his quirkiness, hoping that I won't have to bend too many of my principles in the future (his cleaning habit is not the only habit of his that disturbs me).

Is my good opinion of him lost forever? I have no idea. I am trying to make more rooms for him, giving him a second chance if you'd like to call it...for everyone does deserve a second chance. But I also understand that I deserve to own my emotions and opinions too, and although I will try to be patient and indifferent, I will also embrace my emotions wisely if they come again.

Hope you all have a peaceful and blissful weekend.

Pic: Elliot Cowan as Mr Darcy in 'Lost in Austen' (he's actually my favourite Darcy, if any!)

Jeremy Northam in 'Miami Medical'

For you ladies who were gaga over Jeremy Northam's Mr. Knigthley, we are having another treat! Yes we do! For my dearest Mr. Knigthley has decided to move to Miami and become a medical doctor there (and change his ID to Dr. Matt Proctor but still keeping his delicious British accent).

See the preview if you'd like, or replay Gwyneth Palthrow's Emma again to see how charming he was as Mr. Knightley.



Or a rather too sizzling video for a Regency taste, but just fine for 21st CE ladies? Or a rather romantic video?



Now I have to explain that I haven't seen this TV series in Australia yet (am I so far behind?), but US viewers have been lucky for at least 3 months now. But I guess it doesn't perform well, for it is to be canceled on 2 July. Bummer. That blows the chance of seeing it in Australia... or not? Hey, but at least I can still see him in YouTube!

And of course, I am also gaga over Jonny Lee Miller (I never knew he used to marry Angelina Jolie!), but as the lady here said... Jeremy Northam is my Mr. Knightley (Linda dear, not to fret, you can keep Mark Strong's Knightley). Although to be fair, JLM is that close to competing with Northam in my heart, I don't mind having both of them for dinner!

Better make it TWO dinners then. I cannot divide my heart so...

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 113

Apologies for the rather belated quote for friends in Australasia (it's almost dinner time on Sunday here). I finally picked a quote from Emma, Volume III Chapter 12, first paragraph to convey what I've felt as of late.

Till now that she was threatened with its loss, Emma had never known how much of her happiness depended on being first with Mr. Knightley, first in the interest and affection.

The sentence is so true for Emma's and Mr. Knightley's story, but it can be very true for many of us as well. Particularly when we take things for granted (as Emma to Mr. Knightley pre-Harriet's confession), we tend to get panic, or at least become very unhappy when something/someone very important is taken away from us, or had to leave us. I guess the lesson to be learned is... always be grateful, no matter what? And be grateful of every small love we receive on Earth.

Pic: Emma (Romola Garai) and Mr. Knightley (Jonny Lee. Miller) from 2009 BBC Emma, pic from Jane Austen's World

Going Bollywood, Emma? A look into 'Aisha'

A few months ago we uploaded news about the making of a Bollywood version of Emma. The Indian adaptation is titled 'Aisha', played by Sonam Kapoor, and to be released this 6th of August (in India, at least). Now I know many of you might never watched any Bollywood movie... but I sort of dig into this genre (Slumdog Millionaire is a must-see!), and I'm actually wondering how Emma would be translated into Indian silver screen.

There was another Bollywood adaptation of Jane Austen's novel in 2005, Bride and Prejudice (Aishwarya Rai as Lalita/the Indian Lizzy), and although Martin Henderson who played Darcy could have been better, I like the way the music and story intertwined there. But 'Emma' is different. 'Emma' should be funky and cute, and annoying at the same time, and that's a recipe that Bollywood usually excels at.

Anyway, just tidbits from the gossip columns of One India:

The first look of Anil Kapoor Films Company's Aisha is finally out. This Abhay Deol and Sonam Kapoor starrer is an adaptation of the classic novel Emma. Sonam plays Aisha, a young upper class Delhite who has trouble minding her own business and loves interfering in other people's lives while Abhay plays Arjun, a rich Delhi boy who has problem with Sonam's ways and is trying to get her out of the mess she merrily gets herself into.

I have to say I do not fancy the heart glasses, but if Emma is to be transported to 21st CE, that might be the sort of stuff she would wear too... I do fancy the frock, though...

Pic 1: Sonam Kapoor as Aisha, the funky Indian Emma, from One India

Pic 2: That's more like it. I heart Aisha's frock, from Desi Hits

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 112 by Linda

Continuing in Emma with the discussion between Emma and Mr. Knightley in Chapter 8, we find the following quote simply stuffed full of what they considered appropriate for marriage partners:

"And if I did, (which, however, I am far from allowing,) I should not feel that I had done wrong. Mr. Martin is a very respectable young man, but I cannot admit him to be Harriet's equal; and am rather surprized indeed that he should have ventured to address her. By your account, he does seem to have had some scruples. It is a pity that they were ever got over."

"Not Harriet's equal!" exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards, "No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are Harriet Smith's claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connection higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations. She is known only as parlour-boarder at a common school. She is not a sensible girl, nor a girl of any information. She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and too simple to have acquired any thing herself. At her age she can have no experience, and with her little wit, is not very likely ever to have any that can avail her. She is pretty, and she is good tempered, and that is all. My only scruple in advising the match was on his account, as being beneath his deserts, and a bad connexion for him. I felt, that as to fortune, in all probability he might do much better; and that as to a rational companion or useful helpmate, he could not do worse. But I could not reason so to a man in love, and was willing to trust to there being no harm in her, to her having that sort of disposition, which, in good hands, like his, might be easily led aright and turn out very well. The advantage of the match I felt to be all on her side; and had not the smallest doubt (nor have I now) that there would be a general cry-out upon her extreme good luck. Even your satisfaction I made sure of. It crossed my mind immediately that you would not regret your friend's leaving Highbury, for the sake of her being settled so well. I remember saying to myself, 'Even Emma, with all her partiality for Harriet, will think this a good match.'"

"I cannot help wondering at your knowing so little of Emma as to say any such thing. What! think a farmer, (and with all his sense and all his merit Mr. Martin is nothing more,) a good match for my intimate friend! Not regret her leaving Highbury for the sake of marrying a man whom I could never admit as an acquaintance of my own! I wonder you should think it possible for me to have such feelings. I assure you mine are very different. I must think your statement by no means fair. You are not just to Harriet's claims. They would be estimated very differently by others as well as myself; Mr. Martin may be the richest of the two, but he is undoubtedly her inferior as to rank in society. The sphere in which she moves is much above his. It would be a degradation."

"A degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance, to be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman-farmer!"

"As to the circumstances of her birth, though in a legal sense she may be called Nobody, it will not hold in common sense. She is not to pay for the offence of others, by being held below the level of those with whom she is brought up. -- There can scarcely be a doubt that her father is a gentleman -- and a gentleman of fortune. Her allowance is very liberal; nothing has ever been grudged for her improvement or comfort. That she is a gentleman's daughter, is indubitable to me; that she associates with gentlemen's daughters, no one, I apprehend, will deny. She is superior to Mr. Robert Martin."

Please notice the words in BOLD. They indicate the qualities to consider in a marriage partner, and I might add, in those days. Those qualities may have some relevance for today also. I leave it for you to determine.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Toni Collette as Harriet Smith, from Flickr

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 111

I have chosen a quote from one of the letters Jane wrote to Cassandra. This one was written on Thursday April 18th 1811.
I think it is one of the great examples of the robust, loving and nurturing relationship that they shared. I also like the audacious attitude of Jane at the beginning of the quote.

"I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant, and spending all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too; for in a linendraper's shop to which I went for checked muslin, and for which I was obliged to give seven shillings a yard, I was tempted by a pretty-coloured muslin, and bought ten yards of it on the chance of your liking it; but, at the same time, if it should not suit you, you must not think yourself at all obliged to take it; it is only 3s. 6d. per yard, and I should not in the least mind keeping the whole."



Pic: Cassandra and Jane in Becoming Jane

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 110

This time I also go with simple stuffs (particularly because I've been contemplating on heavy stuffs enough this week). We know hat bonnets and caps were very important to the ladies in Regency Era, including Jane Austen herself. And she was very particular with every details of her garments, from shoes to hats. She also took time to re-embellish or redecorate her bonnets to make it more fashionable. It was an act of saving perchance, but in this ecofriendly era, re-embellishing old garments is actually an ecofriendly act.

From JA's letter to Cassandra Austen, Tuesday 18 December 1798 (Deirdre le Faye 1995 edition, p 25-26):

I took the liberty a few days ago of asking your Black velvet Bonnet to lend me its cawl, which it very readily did, & by whic I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to my Cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me. - I shall wear it on Thursday, but I hope you will not be offended with me for following your advice as to its ornaments only in part - I still venture to retain the narrow silver round it, put twice round without any bow, & instead of the black military feather shall put in the Coquelicot one, as being smarter; - & besides Coquelicot is to be all the fashion this winter. - After the Ball, I shall probably make it entirely black.

Wow, she was truly an expert in reembellishing her bonnets, Miss Austen...Now, I don't wear elaborate hats or fascinators often (not at my place at least, except during the Melbourne Cup...), but I am fascinated with (on cue) shoes, and guess what? I actually did re-embellish a pair of my shoes last night!

My re-embellished shoes were new red suede 2.5 inch pumps, just bought it on 60% sale because it was 'damaged', as in one pair had a very different leather strip than the other. Still on the exact place, but instead of a phyton-like leather pattern (as the right pair had), the left pair had almost very smooth leather surface. It was just a line of 7 mm leather strip across the vamp, and no one would see it unless they took a closer look, but I was still disturbed. But, I can't resist the colour and comfort of the shoes, nor the sale price. I then tried to find burgundy velvet ribbon to cover both strips. Couldn't find the exact red tone, so I opted for 7 mm black satin ribbons, and it worked like magic! Just have to make sure that the glue stays; I might have to use stronger superglue if it came off.

So, if any of you Ladies and Gents have any defective garment, do not throw it away. Try to re-embellish the piece of garment, and you will not only save yourself some money, but also be more ecofriendly!

For further information re: Regency bonnets, check Vic's excellent entry here. For practical ideas on how to re-embellish your modern shoes (including flip flops!), check Female Network , Love To Know and Squidoo.

Pic 1: Various Regency bonnets from Fashion Era

Pic 2: A pair of beautiful Regency slippers (sadly, not mine) from House of Nines Design

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 109

It's Sunday here in Australia, so wake up from the hang-over, Ladies!

Ooops. That might be a wrong thing to say. Do ladies who read Jane Austen have weekend hang-over? Well... if you do, do not fret. I think Jane Austen herself would have drunken too much wine now and then. Of course, drinking wine sounds cooler than drinking beer, but you ladies get what I mean...

Anyway, leading to this week's quote is the party-related statement from JA herself. From Deidre Le Faye's 'Jane Austen's Letter' p165, dated Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 January 1809, written in her brother Edward's Godmersham Park, Kent. Jane would be 34 years old by then, hardly old at all for our modern standard. But still, here's what she said in the PS section:

The Manydown Ball was a smaller thing than I expected, but it seems to have made Anna very happy. At her age it would not have done for me.-

It's funny... we often think of Jane Austen as an old spinster sitting in the rocking chair and reading highly intelligent books or poetries... which I think she did anyway during the dusk of her life... But we often forgot that JA was also a party animal.

Although I'm actually older than Jane by the time she wrote this letter, I also often forgot that the senior ladies I often saw in the bus or on the street were once party animals too... with high heels that clicked when they danced. I guess reading Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl and Alexandra Potter's Me and Mr Darcy changed my opinion about the classical image of elderly ladies now.

Elderly ladies would also have had wild parties before, and had some fun. It would be a different setting, shoes and dresses, but they still had a great time. One might cry because her partner deserted her, and - just like what I saw last night on the bus - her friend would try to cheer her up.

And I guess, the Regency setting is more of a good balance those days. We would still find elderly ladies standing at the sides, smiling as they watched (albeit chaperonically) their nieces/daughters/grand-daughters dancing with prospective partners. Sometimes, mothers would also dance with their husbands. It would be more of a balanced and healthy setting for the party spirit within the seniors, I think...

Pic: A quadrille dance during Regency Era, from the exquisite Jane Austen's World

The 2010 Jane Austen Festival UK and Awards

Dearest Linda provided me with this information on the 3rd Annual Jane Austen Awards and its survey and a very interesting (and difficult for me!) love quiz. Do fill in the survey and quiz and tell us your results!

Also coming up in September is the 10th Jane Austen Festival in Bath! Oh my dearest Rachel, how I envy thee...

A question: does anyone of you dear readers have any Regency costume? I wonder, because it might be a good investment, even just as a memorabilia...

Pic: Andrea Galer's regency costume from JA Centre UK. Is it not a beauty?

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 108 by Linda

In Emma, Chapter 8, we find Emma and Mr. Knightley discussing the fact that Harriet has refused Mr. Martin. Emma observes:

Oh! to be sure," cried Emma, "it is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her."

"Nonsense! a man does not imagine any such thing. But what is the meaning of this? Harriet Smith refuse Robert Martin? madness, if it is so; but I hope you are mistaken."

Emma states a point of view that I happen to agree with, but then Mr. Knightley says it isn’t so! Whom am I to believe? Perhaps there is a bit of truth in both, depending on the individuals involved? Hmm. Miss Austen always gives us some ‘food for thought’.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Cover to Emma 1996 DVD (Beckinsale). Kate was so cute there!

Quote of the week - Week 107

I realised that we have not used a quote from Sense and Sensibility for a while so thought that I would base this weeks quote on Marianne Dashwood. I have personally always loved her; I feel a special connection with her character. I think it may be because Sense and Sensibility was the first Jane Austen novel I read when I was very young and impressionable - her sensibility just stuck with me.

This quote is from the closing pages of the novel in chapter 50 after Marianne and Colonel Brandon and Elinor and Edward have been brought together:

"Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions, and to counteract by her conduct her most favorite maxims. She was born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at seventeen, and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and lively friendship, voluntarily to give her hand to another."

"Colonel Brandon was now as happy as all those who best loved him believed he deserved to be; -- in Marianne he was consoled for every past affliction; -- her regard and her society restored his mind to animation, and his spirits to cheerfulness; and that Marianne found her own happiness in forming his, was equally the persuasion and delight of each observing friend. Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time, as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby."

Firstly I like Jane's use of the word 'fate' - Marianne has the esteem and strength to finally become wiser after her experience of the hurt and betrayal of Willoughby. I love the second part of the quote, particularly the image of Marianne restoring animation in Colonel Brandon's life; what a wonderful ability! I think that the reason I love Marianne is because she never could love by halves and this liveliness and bravery makes her truly admirable in my opinion.

Pic: Marianne Dashwood- Kate Winslet

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 106

This week I shall pull a quote from Miss Austen’s letter to niece Fanny Knight on 13 March 1816. Since all my JA resources are either in Bali or Queensland (and I’m neither there), I count on Pemberley.com’s archives of Brabourne letter collection.

To you I shall say, as I have often said before, Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last; you will in the course of the next two or three years meet with somebody more generally unexceptionable than anyone you have yet known, who will love you as warmly as possible, and who will so completely attach you that you will feel you never really loved before.

This was a letter, not a novel, which surprised me because at the dusk of her life, Jane Austen was still a believer of love. Some people might think cynically that she was no longer a believer of love as she grew older, but I disagree. I think Jane was still very much a believer; which is a delight considering her plight as a spinster in those days.

I guess in many ways, I am also a believer of love. Otherwise, why would I (or Team Jane) rummage through JA’s collection every week and present something for us all? Even though love is often hidden or elusive, I believe it’s still here.

Oh, and I found the inspiration to use this letter after reading Alexandra Potter’s Me and Mr Darcy. A very funny chick-lit, one that finished satisfactorily (to me, at least), such that I hope I can do Ms Potter justice by writing a review about it soon enough. The trouble with going to another town to visit relatives and friends is… too many relatives and friends to visit, hence not much time for literacy delight…

Pic: Watercolour picture of Fanny Knight by Cassandra Austen, from JAcourses UK

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 105 By Linda

In Chapter 7 of Emma we find another tidbit of advice about marriage where Emma and Harriet are discussing the merits of Mr. Martin:

"Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be parted. A woman may not marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter."

You may wish to look back at this previous quote to get the full picture: Quote of the week 97

In other words, there are several, meaning many, things to look into if you want a successful marriage. Sigh, wish I had known that!

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Austenprose