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Showing posts with label Jane Austen Character Throwdown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jane Austen Character Throwdown. Show all posts
Jane Austen Character Throwdown
Three characters in Jane Austen's novels are seventeen when their stories begin: Marianne Dashwood, Kitty Bennet, and Catherine Morland. In your estimation, which of the three girls will grow into the sort of mature woman you would like to befriend?
Kitty Bennet, at age 17, follows her younger sister, Lydia, who at 15 is flighty and silly and dangerously reckless. After Lydia runs off with Wickham, forcing a shotgun marriage, the Bennets oversee Kitty's upbringing more closely. After Jane and Elizabeth marry, they teach Kitty better social graces and provide a world for her outside of Meryton.She eventually settles down and demonstrates a modicum of common sense.
Catherine Morland prefers to roll down hillsides rather than pursue the ladylike activities of sewing, learning foreign languages, painting, or reading anything more strenuous than novels! Henry Tilney is charmed by her artless ignorance and enthusiastic preference for his company. Young as Catherine is, she is no dummy, seeing through General Tilney and John Thorpe. After the general banishes her from Northanger Abbey, she demonstrates a great deal of courage, integrity, and maturity.
Marianne Dashwood's uber romantic sensibilities blind her to Colonel Brandon's superior qualities and Willoughby's less than sterling ones. She not only survive love's disappointment but she slowly comes to the realization that her own behavior led her down the wrong path of romance. After her illness, she begins to open up to Colonel Brandon, and allows herself to fall in love with someone she has learned to esteem.
Jane Austen Character Throwdown
Two of Jane Austen's heroines have been on my mind lately. Known for their restraint, they must bear their burdens silently before love comes knocking at their door.
Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility: Poor Elinor. Not only did she have to endure her sister, Marianne's, histrionic outpouring of grief over her loss of Willoughby, but she had to offer her support while keeping Edward Ferrar's engagement to Lucy Steele a secret. Lucy, a creepy and manipulative woman if ever there was one, targeted Elinor as her confidante on purpose, repeatedly pouring salt in the wound as she shared secrets that Elinor was honor bound to keep to herself. Not only did Elinor bear her sorrow silently as Marianne accused her of a lack of romantic feeling, but even her ally, Colonel Brandon, caused her great pain by asking her to inform Edward in person of Colonel Brandon's gift to him of a living at the parsonage at Delaford. While Elinor's heart was breaking, she had to tell Edward that he now had the means to marry Lucy.
Anne Elliot, Persuasion: Long-suffering Anne. For seven years she has regretted her decision to break off her relationship with Captain Wentworth at the urging of Lady Russell, who meant well. For seven years, her spirits have flagged, even as she lost her bloom. Suddenly he walks into her life, rich, successful, and handsome, and begins to court the Musgrove Sisters. Anne endures the situation in silence, not realizing that the Captain, while still mad with her, is in equal agony. With no one to turn to, not her selfish sister Mary, not her arrogant father and older sister Elizabeth, not even her good friend Lady Russell, Anne must endure the presence of the handsome captain, knowing she has lost him and that he will belong to someone else soon.
Gentle readers, for which lady does your heart ache more? Elinor or Anne?
Gentle readers, for which lady does your heart ache more? Elinor or Anne?
Jane Austen Character Throwdown
In several novels Jane Austen showed the results of bad behavior by young ladies. Eliza, seduced by Willoughby and the ward of Colonel Brandon, lives in obscurity in a cottage with the child she conceived out of wedlock, her young life ruined. Willoughby's callous actions and attitude towards her showed his true character. Two other young ladies were meted out punishment by Jane for their rash actions: Maria Rushworth née Bertram and Lydia Wickham née Bennet. Whose punishment was worse? Maria's or Lydia's?
Maria was engaged to Mr. Rushworth when she set her cap on Henry Crawford. Their flirtation continued even after her marriage. When Fanny Price rejected Henry's advances, he ran away with the married Maria. His punishment? Loss of respect. For Maria the consequences were more severe. Mr. Rushworth divorced her, and her father, Sir Thomas, banished her to live in a remote cottage with Mrs. Norris.
Lydia's punishment for being giddy, impetuous and foolish resulted in lifelong unhappiness. Her parents' leniency towards her brash behavior allowed her passion to rule her. Too late Lydia learned that passion rarely lasts.
Maria was engaged to Mr. Rushworth when she set her cap on Henry Crawford. Their flirtation continued even after her marriage. When Fanny Price rejected Henry's advances, he ran away with the married Maria. His punishment? Loss of respect. For Maria the consequences were more severe. Mr. Rushworth divorced her, and her father, Sir Thomas, banished her to live in a remote cottage with Mrs. Norris.
Maria had destroyed her own character, and [Sir Thomas] would not by a vain attempt to restore what never could be restored, by affording his sanction to vice, or in seeking to lessen its disgrace, be anywise accessory to introducing such misery in another man's family, as he had known himself.
It ended in Mrs. Norris's resolving to quit Mansfield, and devote herself to her unfortunate Maria, and in an establishment being formed for them in another country—remote and private, where, shut up together with little society, on one side no affection, on the other, no judgment, it may be reasonably supposed that their tempers became their mutual punishment.
Lydia's punishment for being giddy, impetuous and foolish resulted in lifelong unhappiness. Her parents' leniency towards her brash behavior allowed her passion to rule her. Too late Lydia learned that passion rarely lasts.
"It had always been evident to [Elizabeth] that such an income as theirs, under the direction of two persons so extravagant in their wants, and heedless of the future, must be very insufficient to their support; and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, even when the restoration of peace dismissed them to a home, was unsettled in the extreme. They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap situation, and always spending more than they ought. His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; her's lasted a little longer; and in spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all the claims to reputation which her marriage had given her."
Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Two Villains
In the past we have asked you to vote on various aspects of Jane Austen villains, and this week is no exception. Two of Jane Austen heroines found something wanting in these men. Which villain's public persona is worse in your estimation? William Elliot's super polite facade to the world, which Anne Elliot suspects because of his unwillingness to share his true feelings, or John Willoughby's effusive likes and dislikes, which gain Elinor Dashwood's notice?
I dislike this villain's character more:
William Elliot (Samuel West), Persuasion
After a short acquaintance, Anne Elliot begins to find Mr. Elliot's unvarying affability a bit unsettling:
Mr. Elliot was rational, discreet, polished,--but he was not open. There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight, at the evil or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection. Her early impressions were incurable. She prized the frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
Mr. Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in her father's house, he pleased them all. He endured too well,--stood too well with everybody. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness of Mrs. Clay; had appeared completely to see what Mrs. Clay was about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet Mrs. Clay found him as agreeable as anybody.
John Willoughby (Dominic Cooper), Sense and Sensibility
Early in their acquaintance, Elinor begins to see cracks in John Willoughby's character, as in this instance when she, Marianne, and Willoughby discuss his observations of Colonel Brandon:
"Brandon is just the kind of man," said Willoughby one day, when they were talking of him together, "whom every body speaks well of, and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers to talk to."
"That is exactly what I think of him," cried Marianne.
"Do not boast of it, however," said Elinor, "for it is injustice in both of you. He is highly esteemed by all the family at the park, and I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with him."
"That he is patronised by YOU," replied Willoughby, "is certainly in his favour; but as for the esteem of the others, it is a reproach in itself. Who would submit to the indignity of being approved by such a woman as Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, that could command the indifference of any body else?"
"But perhaps the abuse of such people as yourself and Marianne will make amends for the regard of Lady Middleton and her mother. If their praise is censure, your censure may be praise, for they are not more undiscerning, than you are prejudiced and unjust."
"In defence of your protege you can even be saucy."
"My protege, as you call him, is a sensible man; and sense will always have attractions for me. Yes, Marianne, even in a man between thirty and forty. He has seen a great deal of the world; has been abroad, has read, and has a thinking mind. I have found him capable of giving me much information on various subjects; and he has always answered my inquiries with readiness of good-breeding and good nature."
"That is to say," cried Marianne contemptuously, "he has told you, that in the East Indies the climate is hot, and the mosquitoes are troublesome."
"He WOULD have told me so, I doubt not, had I made any such inquiries, but they happened to be points on which I had been previously informed."
"Perhaps," said Willoughby, "his observations may have extended to the existence of nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins."
"I may venture to say that HIS observations have stretched much further than your candour. But why should you dislike him?"
Jane Austen Character Throwdown: First Sons
Last week's Regency food throwdown was the least visited of all the polls. Regency food, it seems, does not please the 21st century palate. This week we ask you to consider the first sons of two families: The Tilneys and the Bertrams.
Because of the laws of primogeniture, the first son stood to inherit the entire fortune, which made for many spoiled, unpleasant, and self-centered persons who were careless of the feelings of others, including their siblings. Of two first sons described by Jane Austen who play minor roles in her novels, who do you like the least? Frederick Tilney or Tom Bertram.
Frederick Tilney is the heir of Northanger Abbey, an army captain, a decided flirt, and given to mischief. Captain Tilney flirts with Isabella Thorpe, and leaves her after she breaks off her engagement to James Morland.
Tom Bertram, Mansfield Park (James Purefoy 1999)
When Fanny arrives at Mansfield Park, Tom the heir is already 17 years old. Tom is a bit of a carouser and ladies man, and likes to drink and gamble the night away. His extravagant ways cause his father no end of worry.
Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Unhappy Marriage
We contemplated the happiest Jane Austen couple last week and were not surprised that Anne Elliot and her handsome captain won top honors. This week we ask you to contemplate those couples who stand the least chance of success for happiness in their wedded state. In random order, and for no reason other than these characters immediately come to mind, please vote for your
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Jane Austen Couple Least Like to Be Happy in Their Marriage
Mr and Mrs Elton, Emma
She's bossy and overbearing. He's a petty and spiteful man. A match made in heaven? Maybe not. Emma's happy union with Mr. Knightley will only rub salt in the wounded egos of this odd couple. How long will it take for her to stop calling him her 'cara sposo'?
Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill, Emma
Jane Fairfax cannot be happy knowing how well her husband can lie to others or that he is capable of seriously flirting with a woman right under her nose. Jane comes with not a farthing to her name. How long will Frank be satisfied having married from his heart, not his pocketbook?
Lydia Bennet and Mr. Wickham, Pride and Prejudice
A mercenary spirit lurks behind Wickham's handsome visage and is disguised by a boat load of charm. What happens when both his looks and money are gone? Lydia stands to lose the most in this arrangement, but she does not know this yet. Silly girl, just like her mother. She'll descend into complaining and yapping about her unhappiness to anyone who will listen.
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Robert Ferrars and Lucy Steele, Sense and Sensibility
Were there ever two less palatable characters created by Jane Austen? Robert and Lucy give me the creeps whenever I encounter them in print. One shudders to think what would happen when these two vapid and self-centered people start to turn on each other.
John Thorpe and Any Woman of His Choosing, Northanger Abbey
Granted Jane Austen did not marry him off in Northanger Abbey, but he must be included among this group. Mean, spiteful, and self-centered, with an ego bigger than his looks, talent, and pocketbook combined, this cretin is a total date turn off. Pity the girl he finally sets his eyes on and who is forced to marry him. What hope for future happiness is there?
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John Willoughby and Miss Grey, Sense and Sensibility
Willoughby married for money despite being in love with Marianne, and created a little hell of his own making. How satisfied will his wife remain knowing that her husband regards her rival for his affections as the "ideal" woman?
Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas, Pride and Prejudice
One wonders about the long-term out look for happiness in this marriage once Lady Catherine de Bourgh cocks up her toes and meets her Maker. Mr. Collins will have no one to brag about to shore up his tiny ego. The closest woman in his sight will be Charlotte. Then what? After a decade of marriage, will Charlotte still be able to hide from him in her parlor and revel in her status as a married woman?
Jane Austen Movie Throwdown
PBS is showing an encore presentation of 2007's Northanger Abbey this Sunday. Check your local listing for the time, and join me on Twitter as I watch the show EST. Of the women starring in the story, who do you like most?
Naive Catherine Morland? (Felicity Jones)
Bad girl Isabella Thorpe? (Carey Mulligan - also Kitty Bennet in 2005 Pride and Prejudice)
Good girl Eleanor Tilney? (Catherine Walker)
Clothes shopper and chaperone Mrs Allen? (Sylvestra Le Touzel, also Fanny Price in Mansfield Park)
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!!
Naive Catherine Morland? (Felicity Jones)
Bad girl Isabella Thorpe? (Carey Mulligan - also Kitty Bennet in 2005 Pride and Prejudice)
Good girl Eleanor Tilney? (Catherine Walker)
Clothes shopper and chaperone Mrs Allen? (Sylvestra Le Touzel, also Fanny Price in Mansfield Park)
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!!
Jane Austen Movie Throwdown
This week's throwdown offers the least pleasing images we have ever chosen for this blog, but for a good reason. The three scenes represent a huge departure from Jane Austen's novels and they are quite egregious. Oh, there are more than three instances in which script writers changed Jane's plot dramatically, but these three stick particularly in my craw. For this week's throwdown you are asked to consider:
Which script deviation from Jane Austen's novels is the most egregious?
After reading his letter, Anne Elliot runs through Bath to go after Captain Wentworth in Persuasion 2007.
In the opening scene of Sense and Sensibility 2008, Willoughby seduces Eliza and presumably gets her pregnant.
In Pride and Prejudice 1940, Lady Catherine de Bourgh gives Mr. Darcy her approval to reconcile with Elizabeth Bennet.
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