Silent Monday

This year marks the 199th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen showcases her wonderful dry wit over and over in this novel, as exemplified in the following passage:

After breaking up with Willoughby, Marianne grieves his absence quite publicly. She,  Elinor, and Margaret wander about the village of Allenham when they unexpectedly encounter Edward Ferrars, who has arrived for a visit. Marianne asks how dear, dear Norland looks.

Fall in Missoula. Photo from @The Uprising

"Dear, dear Norland," said Elinor, "probably looks much as it always does at this time of year. The woods and walks thickly covered with dead leaves."

"Oh!" cried Marianne, "with what transporting sensations have I formerly seen them fall! How have I delighted, as I walked, to see them driven in showers about me by the wind! What feelings have they, the season, the air altogether inspired! Now there is no one to regard them. They are seen only as a nuisance, swept hastily off, and driven as much as possible from the sight."

"It is not every one," said Elinor, "who has your passion for dead leaves."

Image from I Love Fall in Shelley's The Uprising. She has contributed book reviews to Jane Austen Today and Jane Austen's World.

Joanna David: Character Actress in Jane Austen Film Adaptations

My favorite portrayal of Mrs. Gardiner is Joanna David's in 1995's Pride and Prejudice. In this film, she had an opportunity to work with her daughter, Emilia Fox, who was acting in her first film role and who sweetly interpreted Georgiana Darcy. The mother/daughter association with Jane Austen does not end with this film. Emilia read Pride and Prejudice for Naxios audio books in what has to be one of my favorite readings for the novel.

Before her stint as Mrs. Gardiner, Joanna played Elinor Dashwood in 1971's Sense and Sensibility. She also narrated Claire Tomalin's Jane Austen: A Life for audio, as well as Pride and Prejudice.

Joanna recently married actor Edward Fox (Emilia's father, below), who had been her partner for over 30 years.

More information about her from this link on the 1995 Pride and Prejudice site.

Jane Austen Throwdown

Some of Jane Austen's heroines had terrible experiences in London. Think of poor Marianne, who came to the realization that Willoughby had been willfully ignoring her letters and avoiding her visit. We will consider the London experiences of two ladies who are more restrained than Marianne: Jane Bennet and Elinor Dashwood. Both ladies kept their anguish to themselves. In your estimation whose London experience is worse? Jane's or Elinor's?

Jane Bennet understood that Mr. Bingley had removed himself from Netherfield Park with no immediate plans for a return visit. Her heart was broken already when she visited her aunt and uncle Gardiner on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, but little did she know how thoroughly she would be rebuffed by Caroline Bingley, who she still regarded as a true friend. For someone as gentle as Jane, unable to think ill of others, the insult that Caroline finally gave her (visiting her beyond the prescribed time period that manners dictated, failure to give a reciprocal invitation, and staying for such a short length of time as to be almost insulting) opened Jane's eyes to the situation. Mr. Bingley was meant for Georgiana Darcy, and Jane had no role as either friend to the Bingley sisters or as Mr. Bingley's romantic interest. Only Elizabeth understood how well Jane was able to hide her broken heart from her family.

Imagine how you would feel if Lucy Steele told you about her secret engagement to the man you are interested in and extracts a promise from you to remain silent about the relationship. Imagine Elinor's having to witness Edward and Lucy in the drawing room in her presence and then watch them leave together (reluctantly on his side). Not only does Edward choose to remain with Lucy when his mother finds out about their clandestine relationship, but Colonel Brandon asks Elinor to tell Edward about the living he is willing to give him. The scene is poignant and sad, and we feel for Elinor, who bears these events with fortitude as she supports Marianne in her grief.

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

This week's throwdown asks you to choose your favorite Elinor Dashwood: the witty, charming, and talented Emma Thompson, or quietly beautiful and talented Hattie Morahan. Let the votes begin!

Favorite Elinor Dashwood

Emma Thompson, Sense and Sensibility, 1995

An academy award winning actress when she played Elinor, Emma "scored one of her biggest hits with Sense and Sensibility, a pleasing, literate adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Thompson not only stars as Elinor Dashwood but also scripted—and earned an Academy Award for her effort—lending to the material a refreshing contemporary air." - Film Reference

Hattie Morahan, Sense and Sensibility, 2007

Interviewed by Jasper Rees from the Telegraph.Uk.Com, Hattie Morahan said about her role as Elinor, "People would say, 'Why are they making it again?' I kept saying, 'It was 12 years ago.' I deliberately didn't watch the film again and decided not to think about Emma Thompson. Because you would go mad. It would distort your work. I thought, it'll be original by virtue of the fact that it's me doing it and there is only one me."

pollcode.com free polls

Favorite Elinor Dashwood

Emma Thompson Hattie Morahan

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Sense or Sensibility?

Edward Ferrars was your preferred Man of the Cloth by a good margin last week. We now pit two sisters against each other: Elinor and Marianne. Which do you prefer? Prose or poetry? Linen or lace? Sense or Sensibility? Let the votes begin! (Oh, and Happy Easter!)

Sense or Sensibility?

Elinor Dashwood

Only nineteen years old, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood is a sensible, restrained, loyal, and affectionate young woman. She holds her feelings inside as she supports her grieving mother and willful sister. Elinor's restraint serves as a barrier, preventing others from helping her at a time when she needs it most. Elinor is the glue that holds her family together, but at her own expense. Her reticense in sharing her feelings - which are deep - isolates her and forces her to deal with her own sorrows even as she shoulders other peoples' burdens. Elinor's quiet personality draws people to her, but with time, she will need to learn to open up to others, even to her husband, or she will be doomed to suffer her travails alone.

Marianne Dashwood

Very pretty and talented, seventeen-year-old Marianne lives life to the full. She wears her heart on her sleeve, with everyone knowing her thoughts on any topic at any time. Willful, impulsive, and spoiled, she possesses a loving nature and truly cares for her family. Had she known about Elinor's internal struggle over Lucy Steele and Edward Ferrars, she would have supported her sister as much as her sister supported her. Marianne's star quality brightens a room the moment she enters it. Indications are that with time she will learn to restrain her impulses and mature into an interesting and loving woman.

pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Sense or Sensibility?

Elinor Dashwood Marianne Dashwood

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Best Mistress of a Home

The Thorpe siblings won the unpopularity contest last week - you did not like them, you really did not like them. This week we ask you to consider the best mistress of a home: Emma Woodhouse and Elinor Dashwood. Both ladies are single, but their responsibilities towards hearth and home show a maturity far beyond their years.

Best Mistress of a Home

Miss Emma Woodhouse, Emma

Emma's mother died when she was very young, and she has been mistress of Hartfield ever since. Despite a father who requires almost constant supervision, Emma oversees the distribution of food and clothing to needy neighbors, and visits them regularly. She also makes sure others are provided for, saying, "I hope I am not often deficient in what is owing to guests." Elegant and rich, Emma knows how to act as the perfect hostess on any occasion.


Miss Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility

As the sensible daughter, Elinor has taken it upon herself to organise the household during the Dashwood women's much reduced circumstances. Keeping account of household records, she makes sure her mother and sisters stay within the boundaries of their budget. One simply knows that as Edward's wife, she will make the most of their small income even while creating a cozy and welcoming home.

pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Best Mistress of a Home

Miss Emma Woodhouse Miss Elinor Dashwood

Masterpiece's Sense and Sensibility Concludes on Sunday

Don't miss the dramatic conclusion of Masterpiece Classic's presentation of Sense and Sensibility (2008) on Sunday, February 8th at 9:00 pm.

Elinor Dashwood wanted viewers to know that after the conclusion of Sense and Sensibility she has a new gig at The Jane Austen Centre in Bath as a stand-in double for the Jane Austen statue. You can find her most days filling in for Miss Austen during her lunch breaks and book signings.

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

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.

pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Longest Suffering Heroine

Miss Elinor Dashwood Miss Anne Elliot

Posted by Vic, Jane Austens world

Austen Quiz: Which Hero Would You Hook Up With?

Hmm? Could you live on nothing but love? Are you dangerous, practical or prissy. Do you value friendship first in a relationship, or crave the grand passion? Discover your suitability to Austen's heroes in this short quiz!

Click here to take it.

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose