Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012
Filed under Jane Austen Craft, Magazines
The History of Tom Jones
I’ve been watching The History of Tom Jones – it is hilarious – a pantomime for grown-ups. It reminds me of Austen’s juvenilia – definitely worth watching.
I’ll post again when I have watched it all.
Filed under Adaptations, Contemporary Authors
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
We’re reading gothic novels for my next Jane Austen meeting. I picked Frankenstein – I was hoping it would be easier to read that The Mysteries of Udolpho. At least I managed to read Frankenstein. Although, given that Austen died in 1817 and this was published in 1818 there is no chance she read it.
I struggled with it, but I did manage to finish it. I can appreciate how ground breaking it was (it is one of the first science fiction novels) and the story behind its composition (written while on holiday in Italy with Shelley and Byron), but still I had to force myself to read it. Check out Wikipedia for more information.
The story was full of violence, blood, gore and mayhem, but it is told retrospectively in a series of letters, which lessons the dramatic effect. The language is very 19th Century, for example
You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.
and
But this was a luxury of sensation that could not endure; I became fatigued with excess of bodily exertion and sank on the damp grass in the sick impotence of despair.
The latter from the monster who has only just learned to talk.
I’m glad that I read this, but I won’t be reading it again!
Here is an article about an Frankenstein app and here is a review.
Filed under Contemporary Authors
Jane Austen Knits
I am a bit of a knitter (Not particularly skilled one). Anyway the combination of knitting and Jane Austen was irresistible – Jane Austen Knits.
Here is the Table of Contents …
(Click on the image for a larger version).
As you can see, you can make Pemberley Slippers and Lydia Bennet Secret Stockings! I quite like the idea of Frivolous Socks.
The magazine is beautifully styled and there are a heap of patterns. I haven’t made anything from it yet and to be honest (apart from the socks) I’m not sure I will. However, I think it is a lovely addition to my (largish) collection of knitting magazines and books. Definitely worth buying if you are a knitter and a Jane Austen fan (I think there is even plans for a second magazine).
Filed under Magazines, Miscellaneous
Sense and Sensibility 2008
I think this is my favourite Sense and Sensibility adaptation. I think Hattie Morahan is an excellent Elinor and Edward Ferrars, as played by Dan Stevens, isn’t drippy (you can understand why Elinor loves him). In fact, the male heroes (Brandon and Edward Ferrars) are both more appealing in this version. We get to see more of them and more emotional involvement. Andrew Davies tends to do this with most of his adaptations (think of Darcy diving into the lake).
It starts with Willoughby seducing Eliza – although we don’t know that at first. More astute viewers might recognise him later (and realise that he is a cad).
In this version Colonel Brandon and Marianne have a bit of a connection prior to Willoughby arriving on the scene – he lends her music and turns pages while she plays it.
There is also a scene where Brandon asks Willoughby about his intentions – are they honourable?
This production is beautiful – the costumes, locations etc are just stunning.
First view of Barton Cottage
Elinor, Marianne and Mrs Dashwood
Willoughby rescuing Marianne
Edward Ferrars chopping wood
Lucy and Anne Steele
Elinor and Lucy
Colonel Brandon and Marianne
Elinor and Edward
Filed under Adaptations, Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility 1995 – The Emma Thompson One
I’ve been re-watching the 1995 Sense and Sensibility. I do like this adaptation. My only issue is Emma Thompson as Elinor. I think she is a brilliant actress (and her screen play is fabulous), but she is just a bit too old for Elinor.
While I was watching it I tried to keep track of differences between the novel and the movie.
First, Lady Middleton and her children are absent! As is Anne Steele (Lucy’s older sister).
Lucy travels to London (and stays with them) with Mrs Jennings and the Dashwoods.
Probably the biggest difference is the lack of a final meeting between Elinor and Willoughby. You know the one, he comes from London in a day to hear about Marianne and tries to explain himself to Elinor and she forgives him.
This is still a fabulous adaptation – it’s movie length you can’t fit everything in – the costumes and settings are beautiful and the acting superb. And did this one renew interest in Jane Austen films? There was quite a few adaptations around the same time.
Filed under Adaptations, Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
I’ve created a Sense and Sensibility Cross Word. Once again, I didn’t know how to insert it into my blog post, so I’ve just linked to it. There are some easy and hard questions (What is Lady Middleton’s first name?)
Filed under Cross Words, Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility – Colonel Brandon
I’m still listening to Sense and Sensibility. Despite Colonel Brandon being a true gentleman, I can not reconcile myself to Marianne marrying him.
Here is the relevant bit in the novel …
Elinor’s marriage divided her as little from her family as could well be contrived, without rendering the cottage at Barton entirely useless, for her mother and sisters spent much more than half their time with her. Mrs. Dashwood was acting on motives of policy as well as pleasure in the frequency of her visits at Delaford; for her wish of bringing Marianne and Colonel Brandon together was hardly less earnest, though rather more liberal than what John had expressed. It was now her darling object. Precious as was the company of her daughter to her, she desired nothing so much as to give up its constant enjoyment to her valued friend; and to see Marianne settled at the Mansion-house was equally the wish of Edward and Elinor. They each felt his sorrows and their own obligations, and Marianne, by general consent, was to be the reward of all.
With such a confederacy against her — with a knowledge so intimate of his goodness — with a conviction of his fond attachment to herself, which at last, though long after it was observable to everybody else, burst on her — what could she do?
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 favourite 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! — and that other, a man who had suffered no less than herself under the event of a former attachment, — whom, two years before, she had considered too old to be married, — and who still sought the constitutional safeguard of a flannel waistcoat!
But so it was. Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible passion, as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting, — instead of remaining even for ever with her mother, and finding her only pleasures in retirement and study, as afterwards in her more calm and sober judgment she had determined on, — she found herself, at nineteen, submitting to new attachments, entering on new duties, placed in a new home, a wife, the mistress of a family, and the patroness of a village.
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.
I’m not convinced. With no sentiment superior to strong esteem and lively friendship, voluntary to give her hand to another!
There is this final statement 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, so I know they will be happy, but I can’t understand Marianne marrying him in the first place.
Any thoughts?
Filed under Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility – Mr Willoughby
Austen definitely had a soft spot for Mr Willoughby – we almost feel sorry for him at the end. Despite seducing Eliza, abandoning Marianne and marrying Miss Grey for her money.
Here is the end of the final meeting of Elinor and Mr Willoughby
He held out his hand. She could not refuse to give him hers; he pressed it with affection.
“And you do think something better of me than you did?” said he, letting it fall, and leaning against the mantlepiece, as if forgetting he was to go.
Elinor assured him that she did; that she forgave, pitied, wished him well — was even interested in his happiness — and added some gentle counsel as to the behaviour most likely to promote it.
Come to think of it, we feel sympathy for Henry Crawford too.
Filed under Sense and Sensibility