A Love Letter For You

I think most of us, whenever we read Captain Wentworth's letter, almost forget "Miss A. E.", to whom the letter is addressed. We think about the Captain and our feelings.

"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope..."

Amanda Root as Ann Elliot

After Miss Anne read the letter, Jane Austen tell us:

"Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from." 

Since we are talking about feelings I dare ask you, gentle readers: If this letter were for you, how would you describe your feelings in just one sentence?

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

This week's throwdown offers the least pleasing images we have ever chosen for this blog, but for a good reason. The three scenes represent a huge departure from Jane Austen's novels and they are quite egregious. Oh, there are more than three instances in which script writers changed Jane's plot dramatically, but these three stick particularly in my craw. For this week's throwdown you are asked to consider:

Which script deviation from Jane Austen's novels is the most egregious?

After reading his letter, Anne Elliot runs through Bath to go after Captain Wentworth in Persuasion 2007.

In the opening scene of Sense and Sensibility 2008, Willoughby seduces Eliza and presumably gets her pregnant.

In Pride and Prejudice 1940, Lady Catherine de Bourgh gives Mr. Darcy her approval to reconcile with Elizabeth Bennet.

Which changed scene is the most egregious deviation from Jane Austen's novels?
	Anne Elliot runs through Bath, Persuasion 2007
	Willoughby seduces Eliza in the opening scene of Sense and Sensibility 2008
	Lady Catherine de Bourgh encourages Mr. Darcy to propose to Elizabeth Bennet
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Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Seen in the Guardian Co.UK, this description of Anne Elliot as one of five most romantic heroines:

Forget lippy Lizzie Bennett and mooning Marianne Dashwood; Persuasion's Anne Elliot is a complex, clever woman with a past who deserves a far more glorious place in the literary hall of fame. In her tentative, subtle and brilliantly funny journey back to the man she loved and lost eight years before, Anne gives us hope that love is not just for pretty teens; that second chances exist; and that ordinary lives really can be transformed by intelligence, independence and decency. Strike a blow for the quiet one in the corner and help crown Anne our romantic queen.

In your estimation, who played Anne Elliot best? Amanda Root (left) or Sally Hawkins (right)?

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Jane Austen Movie Throwdown: Best Anne Elliot

Amanda Root Saly Hawkins

Congratulations, Sally Hawkins!

Golden Globes winner and rising star Sally Hawkins won last night for her performance as Poppy in Happy Go Lucky. Persuasion fans will be able to see Sally Hawkins this season as Anne Elliot in a repeat of the ITV Jane Austen novel adaptation on PBS. This film adaptation of the novel was not the best, being too short and rushed, but Sally's performance as Anne was delicately nuanced (except for her dash through Bath) and Anthony Head's performance as Sir Walter Elliot should not be missed.


Read about Sally's Happy Go Lucky performance in these links:

• LA Times

• Rising Star Sally Hawkins

• Awards Daily

Image: Sally with her Golden Globe award, Sunday, January 11, 2009

• Read our other posts about Sally here.

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

"Why, thank ya'll for the honor!"

Jane Austen Character Throwdown, #2: Longest-Suffering Heroine

Our first Jane Austen Character Throwdown was full of surprises. At first the voters rallied behind Miss Fanny Price who shot ahead of Miss Anne Elliot as the longest-suffering heroine. I thought to myself - 'This is going to be a blood bath'. Then Anne pulled ahead of Fanny, and Fanny pulled ahead of Anne.

Two days after the throwdown began, Miss Anne pulled permanently ahead of Miss Fanny and trounced her resoundingly, gaining over 60% of the vote. A Jane Austen fan and I had a conversation about the contest on Friday. She voted for Miss Anne and gave me sound reasons why she did. I must admit I voted for Miss Fanny.

Ah, well. The throwdown for longest-suffering heroine is not over. Miss Fanny might be down for the count, but we now offer for your consideration the latest contender against Miss Anne Elliot.

Longest-Suffering Heroine

Miss Elinor Dashwood
With an overly emotional sister and an impractical mother, who can deny Elinor’s long-suffering status? Granted she grew up in a loving family, but her earlier happy life is in stark contrast to her present circumstances in which she holds her grief and emotions in check over the loss of her father and former comfortable life. Devious Lucy Steele forces Elinor to remain quiet about her secret engagement to Edward, the man Elinor loves. And even while Elinor’s heart is breaking, she must support her grieving sister and bear Mrs. Jennings' unintentional cruel guesses about Mr. F. She is a stoic, practical, loving, and loyal woman, who keeps her emotions in check.

Miss Anne Elliot
Advised to reject the proposal of the man she loves, she’s lost her bloom and regretted her decision for years. Unloved by her father and older sister, used frequently as a babysitter by her younger sister, Mary, Anne is forced to watch Captain Wentworth flirt with the Musgrove sisters. Her closest confidante, her dead mother's best friend, remains nonsupportive of Anne's enduring love for the dashing captain. She's a sweet, kind, sympathetic, and level-headed woman, whose loyalty and steadfastness are unquestioned.

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Longest Suffering Heroine

Miss Elinor Dashwood Miss Anne Elliot

Posted by Vic, Jane Austens world

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

What’s a throwdown? On the Food Network, chef Bobby Flay challenges other chefs by trying to outcook their signature dishes. The food is judged by a guest chef who has no idea who cooked the meal, and the results are seldom boring, sometimes surprising, and always interesting.

Here is how the Jane Austen throwdown will work. I will nominate characters from her stories, and you get to choose which one suits the category best. Jane’s novels should be the impetus for your votes, but if you have only seen the film adaptations, then that’s ok too. The throwdown will always pit two characters against each other until they’re eliminated. Bear with us, and you will see what we mean!!

Keep in mind that you are not choosing your favorite character. You are choosing the individual who fits the category best. The poll sits at the bottom of the post

The Longest-Suffering Heroine

Miss Fanny Price
Taken from the bosom of her family at ten, she’s had to endure years of Mrs. Norris’s vicious put downs and second class status among the Bertrams. To add insult to injury, she’s forced to play confidante to Mary Crawford and Edmund Bertram, the man she’s loved since childhood, and watch Edmund's affection for Mary blossom. Of high moral character and fortitude, she is frequently at odds with family members, even though her position and financial situation are precarious. Always helpful, ever patient, and grateful for small favors, she possesses a clear, moral vision.

Miss Anne Elliot
Advised to reject the proposal of the man she loves, she’s lost her bloom and regretted her decision for years. Unloved by her father and older sister, used frequently as a babysitter by her younger sister, Mary, Anne is forced to watch Captain Wentworth flirt with the Musgrove sisters. Her closest confidante, her dead mother's best friend, remains nonsupportive of Anne's enduring love for the dashing captain. She's a sweet, kind, sympathetic, and level-headed woman, whose loyalty and steadfastness are unquestioned.

Voting has ended.

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Longest Suffering Heroine
Fanny Price Anne Elliot

Posted by Vic of Jane Austen's World