Gentle readers, for which lady does your heart ache more? Elinor or Anne?
|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
Showing posts with label Persuasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persuasion. Show all posts
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?
Where Exactly Did Louisa Musgrove Fall?
When Alfred Tennyson visited Lyme Regis his friends wanted to show where in his rebellion in the 17th century, Monmouth had landed. But Lord Tennyson just wanted to know exactly where Louisa Musgrove had fallen:
"Don’t talk to me of the Duke of Monmouth; show me the exact spot where Louis[a] Musgrove fell."
To answer that question let's see what Jane Austen told us about Louisa's fall in Persuasion:
There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however. She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! - Chapter 12
In the picture below we see the three movies with three versions of the different staircases.
When I read Persuasion for the first time I imagined a plain staircase and had no any idea of the shape of the Cobb. Finally, when I watched the 1995 and 2007 films I realized that the stairs were different, but certainly in the same place. The first, very rough, was made of steps embedded in the wall. The second wee finished in cement. I considered that the old staircase had been cemented at the time of filming in 2007, but then I realized that the steps were different and their positions were opposed.
Watching 1971's version, I saw the double staircase with woods in the background. I thought sincerely that they had filmed the scene in another place than the Cobb! I only believed that the locations were authentic when I discovered the Lyme Regis Pearl of Dorset's site and its webcam.
Now I changed the original question to: "From which of these three staircases did Louisa Musgrove fall?"
I believe I have found the answer in the book Jane Austen: Her Homes and Her Friends**, written by Constance Hill and illustrated by Ellen G. Hill (circa 1900), where the author describes her visit to Lyme Regis:
The Cobb lies on the further side of the harbour. It is a massive, semi-circular stone pier upon which are two broad causeways, on different levels, forming the Upper and the Lower Cobb. It has undergone many a repair since Miss Austen walked upon it in 1804 but, nevertheless, a considerable part of the old masonry still exists, which is marked by rough-hewn stones placed vertically. Against some of this old masonry, and about half way along the Cobb, are to be seen the identical “steep flight of steps” where the memorable scene of the accident in “Persuasion” is laid. [...]
The steps in question are formed of rough blocks of stone which project like the teeth of a rakefrom the wall behind. We can ourselves bear witness to the “hardness of the pavement” below, which Captain Wentworth feared would cause “too great a jar” when he urged the young lady to desist from the fatal leap.
* Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892), 1st Baron Tennyson, much better known as "Alfred, Lord Tennyson," English poet. Among his most admired works are Idylls of the King and The Lady of Shalot.
** Jane Austen – Her Home & Her Friends by Constance Hill, illustrated by Ellen G. Hill. Richard Clay & Sons, Ltd., London, 1901.
"Don’t talk to me of the Duke of Monmouth; show me the exact spot where Louis[a] Musgrove fell."To answer that question let's see what Jane Austen told us about Louisa's fall in Persuasion:
There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however. She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! - Chapter 12In the picture below we see the three movies with three versions of the different staircases.
Persuasion, the Fall – 1971, 1995 & 2007
When I read Persuasion for the first time I imagined a plain staircase and had no any idea of the shape of the Cobb. Finally, when I watched the 1995 and 2007 films I realized that the stairs were different, but certainly in the same place. The first, very rough, was made of steps embedded in the wall. The second wee finished in cement. I considered that the old staircase had been cemented at the time of filming in 2007, but then I realized that the steps were different and their positions were opposed.
Staircases - 1995 & 2007
Watching 1971's version, I saw the double staircase with woods in the background. I thought sincerely that they had filmed the scene in another place than the Cobb! I only believed that the locations were authentic when I discovered the Lyme Regis Pearl of Dorset's site and its webcam.
Staircases - 1971
Lyme Regis webcam screen shot
Now I changed the original question to: "From which of these three staircases did Louisa Musgrove fall?"
I believe I have found the answer in the book Jane Austen: Her Homes and Her Friends**, written by Constance Hill and illustrated by Ellen G. Hill (circa 1900), where the author describes her visit to Lyme Regis:
The Cobb lies on the further side of the harbour. It is a massive, semi-circular stone pier upon which are two broad causeways, on different levels, forming the Upper and the Lower Cobb. It has undergone many a repair since Miss Austen walked upon it in 1804 but, nevertheless, a considerable part of the old masonry still exists, which is marked by rough-hewn stones placed vertically. Against some of this old masonry, and about half way along the Cobb, are to be seen the identical “steep flight of steps” where the memorable scene of the accident in “Persuasion” is laid. [...]The steps in question are formed of rough blocks of stone which project like the teeth of a rakefrom the wall behind. We can ourselves bear witness to the “hardness of the pavement” below, which Captain Wentworth feared would cause “too great a jar” when he urged the young lady to desist from the fatal leap.
Staircases by Ellen G. Hill
* Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892), 1st Baron Tennyson, much better known as "Alfred, Lord Tennyson," English poet. Among his most admired works are Idylls of the King and The Lady of Shalot.
** Jane Austen – Her Home & Her Friends by Constance Hill, illustrated by Ellen G. Hill. Richard Clay & Sons, Ltd., London, 1901.
- Submitted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português
Jane Austen Movie Throwdown
This week's question is merely one of preference. Which actress, to your mind, best represents Lady Russel in Persuasion? Lady Russel is Anne Elliot's surrogate mother and the person to whom she turns to for advice.
She was the best friend to Anne's beloved but deceased mother. A woman of birth and independent means, Lady Russell dispenses advise to the Elliots, most especially Anne. In the instance of Captain Wentworth, she advised Anne not to marry the penniless captain. Seven years after turning him down, Anne has come to regret her decision to follow Lady Russell's counsel, for the Captain has made his way in the world and become rich. Most importantly, she has never ceased to love him. She has come to understand that Lady Russell, while well-meaning, gave her bad advice.
It's a tough call, but I think you will have an opinion.
She was the best friend to Anne's beloved but deceased mother. A woman of birth and independent means, Lady Russell dispenses advise to the Elliots, most especially Anne. In the instance of Captain Wentworth, she advised Anne not to marry the penniless captain. Seven years after turning him down, Anne has come to regret her decision to follow Lady Russell's counsel, for the Captain has made his way in the world and become rich. Most importantly, she has never ceased to love him. She has come to understand that Lady Russell, while well-meaning, gave her bad advice.
Which actress do you like best in the role of Lady Russell? Alice Krige in the 2007 adaptation of Persuasion? (Top photo)
Or Susan Fleetwood in 1995's Persuasion?
It's a tough call, but I think you will have an opinion.
Ciarán Hinds Talks Up His Irish Side
An interview with Ciarán Hinds in the Orlando Sentinel reveals his Irish side. Best known to Janeites as the delectable Captain Wentworth in what many fans feel is the definitive movie adaptation of Persuasion, I have followed his career with much interest. He can play heroes and villains with ease, but mostly he portrays interesting characters. About his new film, Eclipse, he said: “My soul is still Irish,” he says. The Eclipse not only would bring him home, to Cove in County Cork, but he’d be an Irish leading man — a grieving, troubled, would-be writer who sees ghosts and longs to start something with the fetching horror author visiting his town. Hinds won the best actor prize at the Tribeca Film Festival and glowing notices as “the wonderful and always underrated Ciarán Hinds” (Boxoffice Magazine) for the film, now opening in some U.S. cities.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
