Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 160

My chosen quote this week is from the opening words of chapter 6 of Persuasion.
Anne is leaving Kellynch Hall and visiting Uppercross where the Musgroves live.

"Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck by it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found..."

I have bolded the line of particular interest. I chose this quote in light of the media frenzy which has been going on in the last few weeks in relation to phone hacking and immoral journalism. 200 years ago communication was so limited in comparison to the society of today; opinions and ideas changed with movement of only 3 miles. Now we are all subject to influence and are fed with opinions that we later vocalise as our own- the overwhelming power that the many newspapers, internet and television holds over us is really scary. I dont know about you but I would like to be transported back 200 years to have tea with Jane and formulate my own opinions with less interference.

Pic: Austenprose

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 159

This quote is from No. 9 of James Austen's "The Loiterer". The letter included in this issue most people believe to be written by our own Jane Austen. I firmly believe that myself. It sounds so much like something she would have written. She begins her letter to the editor thusly:

I write this to inform you that you are very much out of my good graces, and that, if you do not mend your manners, I shall soon drop your acquaintance. You must know, Sir, I am a great reader, and not to mention some hundred volumes of Novels and Plays, have, in the last two summers, actually got through all the entertaining papers of our most celebrated periodical writers, from the Tatler and Spectator to the Microcosm and the Olla Podrida. Indeed I love a periodical work beyond any thing, especially those in which one meets with a great many stories, and where the papers are not too long. I assure you my heart beat with joy when I first heard of your publication, which I immediately sent for, and have taken in ever since.

She continues on and chastises the editor in no uncertain words. You may read the entire letter here

It is my pleasure to inform you that I am the guilty party that put the entire Loiterer on line. When I aspired to do that, the Loiterer was being quite neglected and I thought it merited its own place on the internet. Jane's brother, James, was quite knowledgeable and educated in my opinion and deserves his own place in the sun as well as our dear Jane.

Because of 'Sophia's" mention of those other periodicals, I was intrigued so much so that I investigated and got my own copies (those that I could find in book form) or found on line to read. I am amazed at the subjects covered and the intelligence that appeared 'way back then'. We never know what treasures await us.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: James Austen

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 158

This week's quote is taken from Sense and Sensibility, the first paragraphs of Chapter 6 when the Dashwoods moved to Barton Cottage in Devonshire.


THE first part of their journey was performed in too melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and unpleasant. But as they drew towards the end of it, their interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit overcame their dejection, and a view of Barton Valley, as they entered it, gave them cheerfulness. It was a pleasant, fertile spot, well wooded, and rich in pasture. After winding along it for more than a mile, they reached their own house. A small green court was the whole of its demesne in front; and a neat wicket-gate admitted them into it. As a house, Barton Cottage, though small, was comfortable and compact; but as a cottage it was defective, for the building was regular, the roof was tiled, the window shutters were not painted green, nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles. A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden behind. On each side of the entrance was a sitting room, about sixteen feet square; and beyond them were the offices and the stairs. Four bed-rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house. It had not been built many years, and was in good repair. In comparison of Norland, it was poor and small indeed!- but the tears which recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried away. They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their arrival, and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear happy. It was very early in September; the season was fine; and from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather, they received an impression in its favor which was of material service in recommending it to their lasting approbation.

The situation of the house was good. High hills rose immediately behind, and at no great distance on each side; some of which were open downs, the others cultivated and woody. The village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills, and formed a pleasant view from the cottage windows. The prospect in front was more extensive; it commanded the whole of the valley, and reached into the country beyond. The hills which surrounded the cottage terminated the valley in that direction; under another name, and in another course, it branched out again between two of the steepest of them.

I had been looking for a house to rent the last two weeks. It's rather hard to find a decently priced house for rent in south Bali, everything seems to be excessively priced these days. I have started my work since 1 July, but I would not receive my salary until the end of the month (unfortunately, we don't have fortnight salary system in Indonesia). I have some savings for housing, but I cannot indulge on the more expensive options usually targeted for foreigners.

Having said that, I found a nice house just last Tuesday, situated by the paddy field. I have signed a contract last Saturday. It's every bit a scary adventure, for house renting in Indonesia is not protected by rigorous law. But the land lord and lady are a nice couple, so here's hoping that I will like my stay there. I signed the contract for two years, for I know how hard it is to get a good house in that price these days. Plus, I plan to start buying/building a house by the second half of 2012, so I definitely need a place to stay until then.

How about you, dear friends? Have any stories about house-renting (or house-buying) you can share with us?

Pic: Barton Cottage 1995

New header and desktop from Maria

Dearest friends, last month Maria sent me a very lovely collection of new header and desktop for Becoming Jane Fansite. I am ashamed to say that I have neglected her email because of my thesis and the business of moving back to Indonesia. Hence, this is a make up post, terribly and excessively late by any standard. For that, we extend our apologies, particularly to dearest Maria.

The download links are here:

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PS: Quote of the week is coming up.

"Emma" Production - Houston, Texas

If any of you live in Houston, Texas and know the A. D. Players Theatre.
they have an upcoming production of Emma from July 6th - August 28th 2011.

More information about the show is available here.

If any of you do get to see it then please do leave us a comment with your review.



Pic: Theatre website

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 157

My chosen quote is from Mansfield Park. Edmund is speaking about the possible negative consequences of abdicating your own responsibilities:

"Had I a place to new fashion, I should not put myself into the hands of an improver, I would rather have an inferior degree of beauty, of my own choice, and acquired progressively. I would rather abide by my own blunders than by his.”

I think that he is a particularly moral and conscientious character in the novel and although his view is perhaps idealistic, it is definitely admirable.

I think that this quote can translate to many aspects of life; work, relationships, families, therefore it relates to us all.

Pic: Austenonly-Edmund Bertram (TV 2007)

Jane Austen and Kate Middleton

Linda has directed us to an article written in the Daily Mail which suggests that the new Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, may be related to Jane Austen. They may well be 11th cousins, six times removed but being a fan of Kate Middleton, I think it makes sense.

You can read the article here






Pics: Daily Mail article

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 156 by Linda

I recently ran across a web site that prompted me to find out what our Jane Austen had to say on the subject of "defining a gentleman". Remembering that she used the word "gentlemanlike" quite a few times, I found this in Chapter 3 of Pride and Prejudice:

Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

The name of the site I found is titled "The Art of Manliness" and it appears to be quite civil and covers a whole lot of information, more than I am able to absorb at the moment. You may read about the site here: The Art of Manliness.

What is so extra nice is that there is a Jane Austen group there also called: Jane Austen Forum where I found 2 friends from the Male Voices site that I keep on the web.

I invite you all to explore the site 'to see what you can see'. Have fun.

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: the 2005 Mr Bingley (Simon Woods) and Jane Bennet (Rosamund Pike) from fanpop

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 155

Still related to Father's Day, although not in the best of light compared to Rachel's thoughtful Tom Lefroy quote last week, I took a quote from a not-so-successful father figure in the Austen universe. From the first paragraph of Pride & Prejudice Vol III Chapter 8 (Chapter 30):


Mr. Bennet had very often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum, for the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle, for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband, might then have rested in its proper place.


The bolded sentences are the focus here, while the rest of the paragraph are putting them in context. The main issue is Mr. Bennet's unpreparedness for secured funds, and that is I think something I need to work on now. I mean, I'm going to be 40 in three years, and I think it's time for me to lay an annual sum of money for - at least - my retirement fund, in addition to resume saving for my dream house that I've done so far. I have no child (yet), so I think at least I have to cover myself pretty well in the future. Perhaps some people see it silly that I start to think of retirement fund when I'm not even 40 yet, but my economist partner disagree. Retirement fund (we call it 'super-annuation' here in Australia) is very important and one must start as early as possible.

I will get a new job this July after (hopefully) submitting my PhD. As I get my first salary, I hope that I'm wise enough to save the greater proportion of it, instead of spending it for 'pretty but definitely can wait' items like (cough) dresses and shoes...

What about you Ladies and Gents? Any tips for retirement fund savings?

Pic: Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Bennet in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice

Bridget Jones’s Diary: A Classic Homage to Austen - by Laurie Viera Rigler

I don't know about you but I love the Bridget Jones's Diary books (by Helen Fielding) and films. Laurie Viera Rigler (author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict) has written a great short article for International Chick Lit Month about the parallels between Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary.





You can read it here.





Pic 1: Pride and Prejudice Mr Darcy and Lizzy Bennet
Pic 2: Bridget Jones's Diary Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones

Tom Lefroy Quote Week 9

Next sunday (19th June) in the UK it is Fathers Day so I thought I would chose a quote from a letter Tom wrote to his son taken from Tom Lefroy's memoir, page 33:

"I hope you are attentive to your business, and get your lessons, not merely so as to pass, but so as to understand them as perfectly as you can, and above all things, that you don’t loiter and waste time. When you play, - play, - but when you read, read and don’t play.
God bless you, my darling boy.
Your ever affectionate father,
T.L"


I thought that this was a lovely quote to demonstrate Tom's true affection for his son, and indeed all his children. I love the line "when you play, - play, - but when you read, read and don’t play." It is simple and direct but said with the authority of a father.

Pic: Father and son holding hands

James McAvoy as Prof Charles Xavier

For you fine ladies and gents who do not dabble in science fiction literature, this post may not be for you. But I'd like to put it here for it talks about our dearest James McAvoy who had excellently portrayed Tom Lefroy (albeit a different version of the real one) in Becoming Jane 2007.

James McAvoy recently played the lead actor of X-Men: First Class and I saw his performance last night. And I remembered once again why I fell in love with his Tom Lefroy. Suffice to say that JMA is really a smart actor, able of expressing various emotional ranges in immediate successions, and very charming as well. Needless to say that his Scottish-turned-British accent was very soothing for my ears.

I recommend X-Men: First Class for you who misses JMA and wants to see him in a big screen again. I avoided him in Wanted because it was too action-packed for me. But X-Men: First Class was different, for it explores a wide variety of human emotions, the notion of being different and how one finds one's place on Earth despite (or because of) his/her uniqueness.

For those who have seen X-Men trilogy and wonder how JMA portrayed the young telepathic professor, you can read this interview. His explanations remind me of the role

Pic: Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), best friends who later became enemies

Jane Austen Quote Week 154

Here is the story that led me to this week's quote.

I have most recently looked into 'other cultures/lands' than my native America, because I stumbled across the movies "A Town Like Alice" (which I saw), "The Flame Trees of Thika" (at my library) both of which so intrigued me that I remembered a book recommended by a friend "Reading Lolita in Tehran" and then stumbling again across a book "Last Journey: a Father and Son in Wartime" (Iraq). Then I realized how little I knew of other places in this big, wide world of ours.

All that made me wonder what Jane might have written about other lands. Then I remembered this book I had: "Jane Austen's Brother Abroad - The Grand Tour Journals of Edward Austen" edited by our own Jon Spence of "Becoming Jane" fame. (My copy is autographed by Mr. Spence - you may turn green with envy now!). Here follows an excerpt from the first chapter dated August 5th, 1786 [Neuchatel to Berne]:

QUOTE:

I walked out in the evening with my new English companions and amused myself in feeding with bread a couple of enormous bears which are kept in a ditch at the entrance of the town for no other reason than through custom and a bear being the arms of the canton. From thence we continued our walk about a mile out of town to be spectators at a ball consisting of the nobility and gentry of the place which was had in the open air under a silken canopy suspended to four pine trees. The fineness of the evening, the dress and the seeming gayety of the dancers, the trees crowded with lamps of different colors, a number of sky rockets which continued to enlighten the air above us, and in short the whole sight pleased me exceedingly and gave me a good opinion of the manners in which the Bernois amuse themselves.

.....

The dress of the women of the lower rank in the Canton of Berne is very singular in the eyes of Englishmen. It consists of a short blue petticoat tied high up their waists and just reaching down to their knees. Their stockings are in general red. Their shift (for they wear not neck handkerchiefs) comes under their chin and buttons down their neck. Instead of stays they have a red cloth stomacher which comes up to the breast and is fasten'd round their waist with brass hooks and eyes. Their hair is combed back over their forehead and meets behind in two black ribbons, one of which is platted in to each plat, generally train on the ground. On the top of their heads they wear a plain cap of black velvet with broad lace of the same color. When they marry they no longer wear these long flowing plats of hair, but either cut them off or, what is more common, wear them in a kind of tress round the crown of their head, where they fasten them with a silver clasp. The men wear an odd sort of large puckered breeches, or rather trousers, which reach down to their feet, a short thick waistcoat, and frequently a small cloth hat, as do sometimes the women, when they go out.

END OF QUOTE

All I can say to that is "My! how times have changed!" You know what would be really fun to do - have ladies from many different lands get together and talk about their lives to discover how each of us really live and our beliefs, etc. Well, I can still dream.

Yrs aff'ly,
Linda the Librarian

Pic: Cover to 'Jane Austen's Brother Abroad' from JASA

Jane Austen Quote Week 153

This week's quote is taken from Jane Austen's letter #22 (25 October 1800), written to Cassandra from Steventon:

The weather does not know how to be otherwise than fine.

Oh how I hope it shall be true for our friends in Midwestern USA where our dearest Linda lives. The weather there has been very terrible and it even cost life. Linda's town and her good self seem to be alright, but of course it is sad indeed to see the terrible news from that region, and from all around the world too (Iceland, for example).

I hope that we humans are wiser now and shall be more friendly towards our planet. I do believe that if we take care of the Earth, the Earth shall take care of us.

Picture: Emma (Romola Garai) in her umbrella

Anne Hathaway visited the JA Centre in Bath!

Thanks to Linda for the lovely news, we found that Anne Hathaway visited the Jane Austen Centre in Bath! Awww... reminds me of the old time of watching the movie and crying over Jane and Tom...

The May Newsletter
Well, what an exciting month it has been here! Firstly, we had Anne Hathaway unexpectedly visit us at the Centre. She was absolutely lovely and signed a book for us. Then of course we’ve had the Royal Wedding. Did you watch it? I was there on the Mall! Now, if only Prince Harry would marry Pippa Middleton we could have a real life ‘Pride & Prejudice’ moment . . .

Pic: Anne Hathaway as our dearest Jane Austen in 'Becoming Jane'

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 152

I have chosen a quote from Northanger Abbey.


"Catherine would make a sad, heedless young house-keeper to be sure," was her mother's foreboding remark; but quick was the consolation of there being nothing like practice."


This stood out for me personally this week - over the last month I have attended a few meditation classes as it is a skill that has always seemed impossible for me, I just cannot rest my busy mind. I know it would benefit me and enrich my life but I find it so hard to focus and this agitates me. I went again last night and I saw it in a different way, there is no pressure, I will find it easier with time and practice - there really is nothing like practice.

Pic: Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey

Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy in Amazon

Following the announcement we made over a year ago (geez... that long?), we'd like to inform you gentle readers that the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy is available in Amazon in a very lovely cover. It was published by Nabu Press in August 2010.

It's definitely a good price for an ancient book. And I cannot help thinking that our continuous discussions on Tom Lefroy has helped the publishing of this book. Perchance... the Radovici book might be reprinted as well one day?

Pic: Cover to the Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy from Amazon

Tom Lefroy Quote - Week 8

For our Tom quote this week, I have taken a small excerpt from a letter to his wife found in the "Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy." The letter begins on page 28 where we find this report of his studies while traveling by coach:

"I read over and compared most part of the Epistle to the Romans, with all those to the Galatians and the Ephesians, and part of those to the Corinthians; every time I read and compare them new light breaks in, and I am determined I will work on without note or comment endeavouring to make out the meaning for myself, which I should think may be done by patience and attention."
He then continues on to explain what all he discerned from those scriptures and it is quite beautiful. You may read the entire letter yourself here: Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy. The letter is found on pages 28 through 30. I can only imagine what this world would have gained if it had been possible for him to marry our dear Jane.

Yrs aff'ly,

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Tom and Jane, Becoming Jane

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 151

This week’s quote was taken from Pride and Prejudice Chapter 32 (Penguin edition 2003, p. 175), where Mr Darcy visited Elizabeth at Mr Collin’s place.

Mr Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said “You cannot have right to such very strong local attachment. You cannot have been always at Longbourn.”

It was funny that I found this quote when I was counting down the days I have left in Australia. I have to return to Indonesia in less than two months due to visa expiry, and may not return here for one (if I’m lucky) or two years. Before I arrived in this little town where I live now, I never thought that I would settle in a place other than Bali. When I first arrived in my little town here in 2003, I was definitely NOT impressed by it. But now, I love it, and I am sad that I have to leave her. But leave I must, to make ways for my returning here in two years (if it makes sense at all).

I guess my point is, you never know where your life would take you. Although I never anticipated it, I am now glad that I now have two spiritual homes in Indonesia and Australia. Like Longbourn to Lizzy, Indonesia will always be my first home. But I have found my own little ‘Pemberley’ in Australia which I call home, and I want to return back here soon.

Did you ever flinch at the idea of leaving your hometown or a place you love the most, only to find your second home as you walk the path?

Pic: the 1995 Pemberley

BJ Calendar for May from Maria!

Thanks ever so for Maria who is always excited to send us darling monthly Becoming Jane calendars! The May edition is this one, and can be downloaded from the links below.

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