Jane Austen Week on Wonderland Creek is here! Naomi Bennet has oodles of spiffy games and other Austenian delights coming all week long, so if you're at all a fan of Jane Austen novels or movies, trot on over there and join the fun!
Here are my answers to the initial party tag. I'll be participating in other ways later this week, too, but I'm doing this for starters :-)
The Questions:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a Jane Austen fan do you consider yourself?
Hmm. Probably an 8. I really enjoy her books and many movies based on them, and I love learning about the history of her era, and about Jane Austen herself. I consider myself an Austenite, not a Janeite, just because "Janeite" seems to be used by people who are more interested in the romantic aspects of her novels, whereas I enjoy them more for her writing style and the characters as a whole. Which doesn't mean I don't enjoy the romances too, but they're not what primarily draws me to her books -- they're more like the whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate.
2. If "they" would make a new Jane Austen Movie, and you would be able to be cast in it, which Jane Austen character would you most like to play?
Mrs. Croft from Persuasion. She is such a joy -- helpful, kind, intelligent, enthusiastic, warm... I am exceedingly fond of her. Also, she and Admiral Croft have one of the best marriages we see in Austen, and I like to think my own marriage is rather like theirs.
3. Is there any felicity in the world superior to a walk?
Well, I prefer reading and writing novels to taking walks, and also watching movies. I only really enjoy walks if I have a destination -- if it's walking just for the sake of walking, I'm not really a fan.
4. Who's your favourite Jane Austen 'villain'? (As in 'villain' meaning 'the bad guy.')
No, no, see, I don't have favorite villains! I don't like villains! There are only degrees of how much I dislike them!
Wait, is Frank Churchill considered a villain? I don't find him villainous, but I know a lot of people think he's awful. If so, then I choose him, because I think he's silly and vain and thoughtless, but not awful. I know, I know, I'm weaseling here.
5. What/Who introduced you to Jane Austen?
My mom. She rented the 1995 Sense and Sensibility when it came to video and we watched it together. I thought it was okay. Then she gave me four of Austen's novels for my 16th birthday, and then my friends and I rented the Gwyneth Paltrow 1996 Emma and I loved that.
6. Did you love/enjoy Jane Austen immediately, or has there been a time when you hated (um, prejudged) it?
Oh, hah, I kind of answered that a little above. I never hated Jane Austen's stories, but until the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma, I didn't really enjoy them much. And until Persuasion, I didn't love any of her novels.
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| (This is only here because I was looking for images of someone gasping, and this made me laugh aloud.) |
7. Who, in your opinion, is the funniest Jane Austen character?
Probably Mr. Woodhouse. I feel too sorry for Miss Bates to find her truly hilarious, though she does make me laugh. But Mr. Woodhouse is like an extreme version of my own germophobic father, and he amuses me greatly.
8. Do you quote Jane Austen randomly in public?
Of course.
9. Are children allowed to eat cake on weddings?
On weddings? Surely you mean at weddings? This must be one of those Europe vs. America things? Anyway, yes, I encourage children to eat cake at weddings because otherwise I will eat it, and I don't need more cake.
10. What is your reaction when you hear that an aquaintance (e.g. A lady at Church) of yours loves Jane Austen?
Oh, good! Someone I can have Intelligent Conversations with. Let's go out for coffee!
11. Who writes better letters, Mr Darcy or Captain Wentworth? (If you forgot what the letters were, shame on you, instead tell me if you prefer Strawberries to Chocolate or not.)
Captain Frederick Wentworth. Mr. Darcy writes nicely, but he has never curled my toes with unutterable joy the way Captain Wentworth has.
(And may the record show that I like strawberries dipped in chocolate, but I don't know if I could choose between the two.)
12. Which Jane Austen heroine do you relate the least to?
Fanny Price. I really don't understand or relate to her at all.
13. What's your favourite Jane Austen house (from one of the movies)?
Hartfield from Emma (1996). I went into raptures about it here. I would LOVE to live there.
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| (I could live very happily in this library alone, much less the rest of the estate.) |
14. What's your favourite Jane Austen dress (from one of the movies)?
Ummmmm. Probably Emma's peachy ensemble here:
15. Can you turn off lit candles with your fingers?
Yes. I often do. It helps if you lick your fingers first, by the way.
Same - I don't love walking 'just for the sake of it', either. It's... pointless. :-D
ReplyDeleteHaha, I know, I know - one is not supposed to like Villains. :-P Yeah, I chose Frank too - he has something likeable about him, I think. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Whilloughby. :-/
Oh, goodness - hang on - yes, 'on weddings' is correct as far as I'm concerned. Although 'at weddings' sounds good too. *Naomi gives up*
Oh, I love Emma's peachy dress, too! It's so spring-y and fresh. :-)
Thanks for doing this!
~ Naomi
Naomi, my husband really likes walking "for the sake of it" and this has been the source of much merry contention over the past 15 years. If I have him to walk with and talk to at the same time, then I can convince myself that the walk has a purpose.
DeleteFrank seems more misguided and mischievous than Mean and Evil, which is why I never think of him as villainous. I don't mind Henry Crawford either. Willoughby, though -- nope, I don't have much sympathy for him, or Wickham. Or Mr. Elliot. But John Thorpe I thoroughly detest.
On weddings, huh? It sounds to me like someone is sitting on top of the wedding -- a wedding is something you go to, not get onto, so I say "at weddings." Hee.
Thanks for hosting this!
I like the way you differentiate between an Austenite and a Janeite. I completely agree and I think I am an Austenite too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer! I'm glad it makes sense to you too.
DeleteI really, really don't like Frank Churchill, but you're right--he's not as bad as some of the others. Like Willoughby. Although, when Naomi said "who's your favorite villain" I picked Willoughby, because I was interpreting that as "which villain do you love to hate the most?" And I hate Willoughby, especially Dominic Cooper's Willoughby in 08, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching his downfall, so there you are :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that funny? Naomi said "Fanny Price" also for the "which do you relate to least question"--and Fanny is honestly the one I relate to the most :) Folks are all different, I suppose. Marianne Dashwood is the one Rosie and I both picked for that question. Neither of us can "get" her, like, at all.
Again, this comes back to your dislike of disingenuousness, I think.
DeleteDominic Cooper's Willoughby I actually like far better than the character in the book.
I can understand Marianne all too well. And really I can cerebrally understand Fanny too, but I can't sympathize with her much. She tries my patience. Happily, you don't!
I never thought of it that way, but you're probably right--INFJs tend to hate disingenuousness, I've been told, and it certainly seems to be true in my case.
DeleteNow THAT'S interesting. I wouldn't have guessed that--although I think I can see what you mean, he seems more "real" in the 08 movie than he does in the book.
Hee! I'm glad :)
Oh! I only just realized this--if you've seen Dominic Cooper then you must have gotten a chance to watch S&S 08? (I hope you don't mind my asking; I'm just seriously obsessed with that movie :) )
DeleteJessica, I haven't seen all of it yet, just bits, but I am going to see it Very Soon!!! But what I've seen of him was quite nice.
Delete(I always envision Dominic West in the role when I read the book, though. Greg Wise reminds me of him, for some reason, except I like Dominic West better.)
Oh, I'm so happy! Please do let me know what you think when you watch it, because in my 'umble opinion it's one of the best JA movies EVER. (Oh, and say hi to Colonel Brandon for me when you see him. He's my favorite :) )
DeleteWill do!
DeleteI have got to say thank you for your Austenite vs. Janite commentary. I'm more like you in that while the romance is great and all that there is SO MUCH MORE to Austen's novels such as her writing, her wit and her characters. I still think I'm a 10 though. ;)
ReplyDeleteAdmiral and Mrs. Croft are such a great couple I agree. When it comes to good Austen couples I love them and I love Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.
Lois, you're welcome! And ooh, a ten? Very cool!
DeleteYes, the Crofts and Gardiners are the bestest.
I liked your "Austenite" term, and completely agree - the romance is fine, but I love JA for her satirical perspective.
ReplyDeleteI never saw Frank Churchill as a real villain either, just a young man who behaves badly at times.
Enjoyed reading your answers:)
Rose, thanks! I'm happy to find so many people through this blog who also appreciate Austen's stories for more than the romance.
Delete1) 7 and a half. I've read P&P, Persuasion, & S&S multiple times. Emma & Mansfield Park only once.
ReplyDelete2) Henry Tilney.
3) Lots of things are more felicitous than walks.
4) Can we do least favorite? If so, then Mrs. Norris.
5) Back when I was in the Harry Potter fandom there were lots of references to Austen as one of the influences upon Rowling. That and the fact that I had just started getting ebooks led me to start reading Austen.
6) Loved Austen immediately.
7) Nobody really jumps to mind at the moment.
8) Not really.
9) Hasn't ever come up for me.
10) Great!!
11) Captain Wentworth
12) Emma
13) I've only seen Persuasion, so Charles Musgrove's house.
14) Never really been an issue for me.
15) I've never tried.
George, I would actually love to play Henry Tilney too :-) He's so fun!
DeleteMrs. Norris and John Thorpe tie for the top slot on the list of Jane Austen Characters I Want to Punch in the Nose.
Emma Woodhouse frustrates me, and the only version of her I can like quite well is the Gwyneth Paltrow version, who is sweeter and kinder than in the book.
Which version of Persuasion did you see?
WHAT?! You don't have a favorite Jane Austen Movie Dress? Lol :-D What about the guys' costumes?
I've seen the '95 adaptation of Persuasion. I really like it.
DeleteAs for guys' costumes, then, probably the naval uniforms worn in the movie.
I really like the '95 Persuasion too.
DeleteAnd the naval costumes are so spiffy! Would you wear your hat athwartships or fore-and-aft?
ROFL for the Gamesters of Triskelion image. Busted me up.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do love that picture of Ciaran there. Yowsa. You make me almost want to watch that some day! I'm probably a 2 on question 1, so don't stand a chance of answering any of these, but it's always fun reading other people's answers on these things!
Also, nothing does beat a walk. Preferably anywhere forested and on a mountain, but anywhere outdoors I will go! Which is why I go for a walk every morning. But you know that about me. :-D
DeleteYeah, I could not resist using Kirk there. It was too delightful to pass up.
DeleteThe Ciaran version is really good and I happen to own it. We need More Time Together.
And I do enjoy hiking out in nature -- that's an end unto itself. But just saying, "What shall I do now? I'll go for a walk" is not me at all.
DeleteWelcome, Blaine! I hope you like it here :-) I look forward to some great bookful discussions with you. And to reading your answers to these, either here or on your own blog :-)
ReplyDeleteMrs. Croft! She is such a wonderful person. She's warm and kind and caring...and how funny you mention that about their marriage. My mom and I just watched Persuasion and at the scene where she's describing "the one time she imagined herself ill" I paused the movie to comment on how sweet they are. They're just adorable, and definitely one of the best marriages in the JA stories. :)
ReplyDeleteNatalie -- the Crofts really are just a wonderful couple, aren't they? And both so kind and generous, warm, welcoming, intelligent -- I'm very fond of them.
DeleteMrs. Croft is such a lovely person! I can definitely see you playing her:)
ReplyDeleteOoh, nice picture of Ciaran as Frederick;) I'm just sayin'.
Olivia, thank you! That rather tickles me that you could see me playing Mrs. Croft :-)
DeleteAnd yes, that is a delicious shot of Ciaran as Wentworth. He really does rock the role, IMHO.
I've actually always felt attracted to Fanny, but I've never understood her so well then in the webseries From Mansfield With Love, so I would definitely recommend this!
ReplyDeleteBirdie, I should try that webseries, because I just... try to like Fanny and fail, somehow. I'll try it out some morning when I wake up before the kids and have a little quiet computer time.
DeleteThat's exactly what I thought? IS Frank a villain? I never thought of him like that. Sure, he's not very nice all the time...but I wouldn't consider him an actual bad guy.
ReplyDeleteOh! I like Admiral and Mrs. Croft, too! They're such a sweet couple. I really liked how they were portrayed in Persuasion 2007.
Your reaction when you find out that an acquaintance loves Jane Austen. "Oh, good! Someone I can have Intelligent Conversations with. Let's go out for coffee!" Haha! Well put. I like that. :)
~Miss March
Miss March, yeah, Emma is kind of her own villain, isn't she? And Mr. and Mrs. Elton are really more villainous than Frank, I think.
DeleteWant to have coffee sometime, then? :-D
Haha. Yeah, she sort of is. And I agree about the Eltons, too. They do seem to be more of the villainous type than anyone else in the book.
DeleteI'd love to! The only problem is, I don't drink coffee. But I could perhaps settle for hot chocolate. (Heehee). ;)
There are days when I prefer hot chocolate myself :-9
DeleteI love this! And even though I'm so way behind the times, maybe I'll join in just for the fun of it. Because Jane Austen! :)
ReplyDeleteI can see you as Mrs. Croft. Definitely! And YES to Captain Wentworth's letter. *happy sigh*
Kara, that would be fun! Who care's if the "party" is over? It's a great tag to fill out.
Delete