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Re: Characters people hate
Ellen, I would think that they were using hyperbole when they said
they"hate" a character, except you know how vehement and nasty the Fanny and Emma wars would get on Austen-L. . The combatants would take no prisoners and accept no white flag. Th words used for Emma and Fanny were not polite expressions of dislike. The Jane Austen list on Yahoo was started as an alternate to Austen-L with one major rule: Be nice. Nancy On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 10:54?AM Ellen Moody via groups.io <ellen.moody= [email protected]> wrote: Such people are using the word "hate" mindlessly. "Hate" is a |
Re: Characters people hate
I have never disliked any of Austen's central ladies. Nor do I always take
Austen's pronouncements on her characters completely seriously, so that her comment about making Emma someone only she could like makes me smile because I think I can detect a tongue in cheek delivery. Emma, probably the most privileged and flawed of the collection, nevertheless has true affections, and many of her flaws come from a background that encourages them rather than an innate fixture in her character. Fanny is kind of the polar opposite of Emma, probably the least advantaged and least flawed of the collection, with the least need to grow, learn and change. She's more of the fixed point that characters find themselves turning to. She's also, probably, the character whose story is most closely yoked to her companion/antagonist, Mary Crawford. Fanny is unwilling, but Mary, complex, definitely flawed, but ultimately more vulnerable than Fanny, makes the most conscious moves to be close, sometimes out of self-interest, but sometimes despite herself. I feel, sometimes, that Mary Crawford is one of those characters who gets away from her creator and insists on being something other than the original intent. Fanny's character strengthens as a result in a way that's more complex and complete, I think, than, say Elinor's development vis-a-vis Lucy Steele. I know that people can be negative toward Catherine Morland, but I've always been kind of charmed by her: she's so young, so inexperienced, so eager. She has so much to learn, in a way completely counter to what Emma has to learn, and I love her. In haste, Maria On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 2:57?PM Stephanie Vardavas via groups.io <vardavas= [email protected]> wrote: Personally, I have never felt a need to identify with any of Austen's |
Re: Characters people hate
Personally, I have never felt a need to identify with any of Austen's
central characters. When I first read the books I assessed the characters as to whether I would like to be their friend. One of the reasons I started out liking P&P so much is that I felt it would be fun to be friends with Elizabeth Bennet. And one of the reasons I have struggled with Mansfield Park is that Fanny doesn't seem like much fun. Having said that, over the years I have come to appreciate Fanny more. She is loyal and thoughtful, both excellent qualities in a friend, even if she never reaches the point where I think she'd be fun to know. (Mary Crawford, whatever else you think about her, would be much more fun to know.) I like Emma because I think she'd also be fun to know, but in a somewhat different way. Even the first time, I never disliked her as much as Austen apparently expected me to. On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 10:39?AM Arnie Perlstein via groups.io <arnieperlstein@...> wrote: ELLEN: " I dislike aspects of Emma's character as realized by Jane Austen-- NOTE: Effective February 1, 2022, my office hours are from 12 noon to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and by appointment during other hours. <> Stephanie Vardavas stephanievardavas.com <> *Specializing in product safety and regulatory compliance for consumer products, as well as licensing and sports marketing, including sponsorships and endorsements. Also supporting nonprofits and simple trademark registrations.* *Pronouns: she/her/hers* *This email may be confidential and privileged. If you have received it in error, please respond to advise sender of the error and then delete the email and any attachments. Thank you.* |
Characters people hate
ELLEN: " I dislike aspects of Emma's character as realized by Jane Austen
and in some ways strongly because I feel Austen doesn't find these as harmful and unjustified as I do." Ellen, I believe Austen 100% meant for her closest readers to see Emma in a very negative light, even at the end of the novel, when she is convinced that she is no longer so selfish but instead has become empathic toward those less fortunate. Just under the surface, this is a devastating portrait, of a privileged, rationalizing, selfish being - very much like Jane Austen's niece Fanny - a person who never reaches self-awareness. The characters in Emma whom Austen cares for most are Jane, Harriet, and Miss Bates - the underdogs. NANCY: " Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that many people who say they love Jane Austen either love Pride and Prejudice or the movies and TV shows. They haven't always read all her books or studied her life. That's a good insight, Nancy, I'd say the latter group is no more than 10-15% of the total. NANCY: "Those who have read all of her books quite often state that they hate either Emma or Fanny Price In some cases , the person hates both. hates character in a book? Why? Usually because the character isn't Elizabeth Bennet or doest fit the reader's idea of a heroine of a story." In many cases, that sounds like a good guess, but not all. ARNIE |
Re: Characters people hate
Such people are using the word "hate" mindlessly. "Hate" is a
dangerous emotion. The person dislikes having to identify with Fanny as heroine. I duislike aspects of Emma's character as realized by Jane Austen and in some ways strongly because I feel Austen doesn't find these as harmful and unjustified as I do. I always try to see a character as created by an author inside a story shaped by the author. Ellen On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 10:29?AM Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher@...> wrote:
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Characters people hate
Emma and Fanny Price are two characters that can rouse those discussing
them to violence/ As most of our discussions about them have been and are online the violence is verbal and not physical. Why do they generate such heat? Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that many people who say they love Jane Austen either love Pride and Prejudice or the movies and TV shows. They haven't always read all her books or studied her life. Those who have read all of her books quite often sate that they hate either Emma or Fanny Price In some cases , the person hates both. hates a character in a book? Why? Usually because the character isn't Elizabeth Bennet or doest fit the reader's idea of a heroine of a story. |
Re: Books, authors, characters
Charlotte Smith was mentioned in a letter in the March/April 2024 issue of the British _Mensa Magazine_, and also in the Spring 2024 _Wilkie Collins Society Newsletter_.
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On 8 Nov 2024, at 22:18, Ellen Moody via groups.io <ellen.moody@...> wrote: |
Re: Books, authors, characters
When one is in school or when I was in school. few women worked outside ofI assure you, it was occurring to enough of them to struggle tirelessly to gain women's suffrage. I bet many women suffered in angry silence. That thought of Catherine Morland's was straight from the pen of Jane Well, that's just it - I think Catherine is the closest of any of Austen's heroines to the author herself. Though ;afterIf so, that's very sad indeed. Perhaps part of it was the same dynamic as the virulent reaction to Obama's presidency - powerful. men, perhaps feeling threatened by Victoria's long reign, doubled down on making sure she didn't become a role model for females to aspire to. ARNIE On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 6:37?PM Arnie Perlstein via groups.io |
Re: Books, authors, characters
When one is in school or when I was in school. few women worked outside of
the home.Even during the war, those that did work outside of the home were mostly blue collar workers and not leaders of anything. Women like Eleanor Roosevelt were known and could do things because of her husband. Most of the women we read about were wives or poets. It never occurred to me , or I daresay, any of my female classmates to wonder why there were no women presidents, That thought of Catherine Morland's was straight from the pen of Jane Austen. I doubt Catherine would have thought it at her age. Though ;after in the 19th century, Queen Victoria made an impression on the world as a female ruler who married and had children, her example wasn't considered one that females in her empire or exemire should think to follow. In fact, I would say, that during the reign of Victoria, the idea of women belonging to Kitchen, church, and Children was intensified. On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 6:37?PM Arnie Perlstein via groups.io <arnieperlstein@...> wrote: Nancy, |
Books, authors, characters
Nancy,
But what does it matter if we can name all the US presidents in order (as apparently I was able to do at a very young age, to the great pleasure of my parents) - perhaps the most relevant fact about them to note, following Catherine Morland's (and therefore also Jane Austen's) example, is that they have all been men, and, except for one, very late in the game, also all white. ARNIE On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 3:24?PM Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher= [email protected]> wrote: I am with Catherine on parts of history. One really needs several charts |
Re: Books, authors, characters
I am with Catherine on parts of history. One really needs several charts to
keeptrack of some of it. It does appear that the kings were always fighting one another and disputing matters with the Pope. One King thought Paris was worth a mass and another tossed most of the church organization away to have his own way. At least by the 18th century in England, it became easier to keep track of the kings than of the presidents of the USA .During the time of George III and Victoria, there were many presidents . I do like much of history but have always had trouble with naming the presidents in Order as much as I have trouble with the kings of England from Richard I to Henry VIII. Nancy On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 5:30?PM Arnie Perlstein via groups.io <arnieperlstein@...> wrote: It¡¯s still 85%+ women at JASNA AGMs - most men just haven¡¯t gotten the |
Re: Books, authors, characters
I do not know why messages go off early.
Charlotte was married rather young to a man who was said to be an heir to wealth. He was very good at lying. When he was sent to Debtors'Prison, Charlotte and the children went with him. He spent what money he had on a prostitute when there. Charlotte started writing novels to support herself and the children.Her bitterness shows in at least some of her work.Her father-in law left his estate to her and her children but legal ambiguities in the will allowed hs children to contest the legacy. The case was in the courts for at least ten years. As usual, the lawyers got most of the money. Smith's novels ceased selling well so she returned to poetry and translations. Her novels showed disadvantages a wife faced and how the laws made it difficult for wives. She was an abolitionist. Despite her numerous publications she died in poverty. This is a very abridged and general biography of Charlotte Smith,; there are many web pages about her. Nancy On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 5:32?PM Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher= [email protected]> wrote: Charlotte Smith's life is very similar , in a way, to that of Mary |
Re: Books, authors, characters
Charlotte Smith's life is very similar , in a way, to that of Mary
Robinson-- whois better known to history as Perdita, Charlotte never became any man's mistress. On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 5:18?PM Ellen Moody via groups.io <ellen.moody= [email protected]> wrote: I think it is true that most of the female authors before or around |
Books, authors, characters
It¡¯s still 85%+ women at JASNA AGMs - most men just haven¡¯t gotten the memo.
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Like Catherine Morland insightfully pointed out about history: ¡°I read it a little as a duty, but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars or pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all ¡ª it is very tiresome.¡± Sad to say, not much has changed since then. Women are still erasable. Arnie On Nov 8, 2024, at 2:21?PM, Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher@...> wrote: |
Re: Books, authors, characters
Dale Spender collected books and biographies of 100 female authors before
Jane Austen. Authors she felt should have some recognition, if only that of paving the way for Austen. One of the authors was Inchbald. Though Inchbald was in many ways more a translator than original writer, she did write two novels. We know her best for the English translation of the play, Lovers'Vows. On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 5:10?PM Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher= [email protected]> wrote: Most of the female authors of the time before and during the life of Jane |
Re: Books, authors, characters
I think it is true that most of the female authors before or around
the time of Jane Auste are known only if they are connected with some famous person. Charlotte Smith is amon those who has no name recognition outside 18th century, literary feminist and romantic scholars groups. Ellen On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 5:10?PM Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher@...> wrote:
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Liking/bonding with authors & characters (was ¡°Hawthorne ¡ Trollope &c)
How revealing that you connect most closely with Fanny Price than any other literary figure. When I say Elinor Dashwood is my favorite of Austen¡¯s heroines, she is also among the literary figures I feel closer to than any other.i know I don¡¯t like recent & fashionable books or like them less than older ones because most of the time I can¡¯t identify with their contemporary heroine.. I often bond with historical fiction heroines, so Catherine Fraser as played by Catriona Balfe, Harriet Vane in Sayers¡¯ books and as played by Harriet Walter, in Trollope Madame Max. Authors Margaret Foster, Margaret Atwood, Claire Tomalin.
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Ellen On Nov 7, 2024, at 1:08?PM, Nancy Mayer via groups.io <regencyresearcher@...> wrote: |
Re: Hawthorne -- and Trollope and liking authors as presented by themselves in their books (Janeites)
I do not connect with any author and probably feel closer to Fanny Price
than to any other literary figure. Of course, when I was younger I wanted some of the adventures of the heroines. My first dream of fictional characters was to have 3 sets of twins like the Bobbsey twins. When my first child was born, I gave thanks that I didn't have twins. I like Emily Dickinson as a poet. Nancy On Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 11:08?AM Ellen Moody via groups.io <ellen.moody= [email protected]> wrote: This is very interesting to me, even a subject close to my heart, for |
Hawthorne -- and Trollope and liking authors as presented by themselves in their books (Janeites)
This is very interesting to me, even a subject close to my heart, for
why have I spent my life among books. I have to say I can't think of any one author where I'm at home; I feel kindred spirits with a woman writer now and again or imagined woman character, but there are too many real differences. Woolf says, what country, when she is a woman. Yes women have not been regarded as part of the body politic; they are to connect through men and their families, but I've known lots of women who will assert a country, or tribal, or religious or place identity. If I used to have the latter (NYC), it's gone with time and change. No woman until the 20th century could live a life like mine; then this is a possibility. I share real attitudes with a very few, otherwise it's like women in an imagined past, analogous. I have no idea who my ancestors were; the furthest I go back is grandparents and a couple of great-grand. Immigrants in my parents' generation assimilated; Jews were exterminated Nonetheless I do bond and, as Matthew Arnold said of many European people of the later 19th century, literature replaces religion; you belong to and with worlds of readers and writers. Now some more closely resemble in what personally counts for me or they do or say something which I know dismisses or despises such as I. So there's where I begin to get antagonistic towards Hawthorne, and why I'm a feminist reader (reading against the grain or for the subtext. There is no recognizable woman character for me in Lampedusa; they are recognizable in Trollope but oh so different, or caricature, condescending. I bond with Austen's heroines, with Catriona Balfe as Clare, Angharad Rees as Demelza. The woman poet herself :) Janeites bond with an imagined Jane :) It's far more than meeting friends, but more lightly it is often that too. But I know these are worlds of words Ellen On Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 10:03?AM Tyler Tichelaar via groups.io <tyler@...> wrote:
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