Vote for Your Favorite Suitor for Jane and Help Someone Win a Free Copy of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen!

Oh, my. I received 20 descriptions of Jane's ideal suitor! This post is up late today for one reason only: I had a tough time choosing the best five descriptions. In fact, I couldn't do it. You have eight choices from which to pick your favorite suitor.

The following finalists answered this question: Pretend you are one of Jane Austen's parents. Describe in two or three sentences the kind of gentleman that would be worthy to win Jane's hand in marriage. What sort of man would you accept as a suitable husband for our favorite author?

The two top vote getters will receive a free copy of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen. Please read the finalists answers and vote for your favorite in the poll in the sidebar. Which description below best suits your idea of Jane's ideal suitor? Voting will close at midnight USA EST January 9th.

1 ) Misty said...

tall, dark and handsome (a cliche for a reason!)
has a quality of gravitas balanced by a wonderful sense of humor
is a wonderful dancer
loves animals and elderly ladies
honors thy mother-in law and father-in-law
writes marvelous love letters
gives the most perfect gifts (and not just flowers when you're mad at him)
great cook (no, strike that one, I'm just projecting)

2) Lauren said...

The perfect suitor for Jane will be kind and warm hearted, but not foolish in sentiment. He will not be too grand to economize-though he does not have to- and he will live soberly but wisely. He will be amused greatly by Jane's wit and wisdom, and her joy in living. He will dance well enough but better than that, he will be gracious in discourse and in giving. He will live a noble life that is founded on faith in God and expressed in love for his fellowman. The fact that he is tall, dark haired and handsome, will not be denied, but quietly celebrated.

3) buddyt said...

Firstly I think it would have to be a man who captures Jane's attention right from the first time she meets him.
He would be tall and of an athletic build, well-dressed and with a pleasing manner of speaking.
Having captured her attention, he would have to prove himself intelligent, well read and capable of understanding a point of view which might be outside his experience.
He would be both well educated and well traveled and would believe in "A healthy mind in a healthy body".
Obviously he would display good manners and not seek to monopolise a conversation or refuses to consider his companions point of view.
He would be kid to animals and a believer in fidelity and trust in a marriage.
Lastly he would have to show that he himself was interested in becoming better acquainted with Jane.

4) djlott said...

Dear Sister,
Jane has met the most delightful young man who absolutely adores her. He has read her books! He is an old school friend of Henry's, and when he overheard Henry mention Jane in connection with her books, he insisted on being introduced. He is everything we could wish for, as he is a good Christian man, and very well situated for providing for her. He is everything that Jane could wish for in looks, plus he is well educated and well-traveled. He also has a fantastic library. I will tell you more when we meet next week!
Love, your sister, Cassandra

5) Paige said...

Oh I don't know if my dear daughter Jane will ever find a proper husband. She is so picky! She may never find someone who fits her high standards, but if she did, I'm sure he would be a wonderful man of good character. We would love for her to meet someone from a good family, as well. And nice looking, too, although things like looks don't really matter, do they? A patient man, and one who likes to learn would be a good match for her. And I do hope she finds him soon, or she'll end up an old maid!

6) Shannon H. said...
A gentleman of good morals and manners, with a living, not necessarily a fortune. Because of Jane's witty observations, he'd have to get the joke, so to speak. Because Jane was ahead of her time (e.g. pointing out the unfairness, and I daresay the absurdity, of fee tail male (see P&P)), he would have to be forward-thinking. He should be "good company" as Anne describes in Persuasion--clever, well-informed, with great conversation. Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Austen know Jane must marry for love, so the suitor must adore her, and she him.

7) Blogger windycindy said...

Hi, Jane has many strong views and attributes. Thus, her suitor/husband would have to be have a mind of his own, yet be flexible. Jane would copy her parent's marriage because it was a close and happy relationship! This man is clever,with a good sense of humor and must be able to mingle with various types of peoples. I think his values and morals need to be ingrained and strong. This is the kind of man that Jane's parents would wish for her.

8) Blogger Sarah said...

The man for my daughter would be upright, with a fervor for the Church and reading and writing witty pamphlets. He will have traveled the continent, but turned down a job in the colonies. I know she favors the men with a sweep of dark and wavy hair, which doesn't matter to me as long as he is not of a dark and wavy temper. As the first son, he would be a land owner, but will have made improvements, dabbling in crops (not pineapples but potatoes).

Each of the descriptions contained an intriguing detail about Jane's suitor. (Click here to read all the comments.) In fact, I am assembling a list of characteristics that were mentioned over and over again. Go to the top of the sidebar and let the voting begin!