Jane Austen Character Throwdown

Which JA female character will drive you out of the room first from boredom?

Lady Middleton, Sense and Sensibility

The only subjects that animate the cold and reserved Lady Middleton are her children.

Mrs. Bates, Emma

Mrs. Bates, right, is almost past everything except tea and quadrille.

Lady Bertram, Mansfield Park

"I feel quite stupid. It must be sitting up so late last night. Fanny, you must do something to keep me awake. I cannot work. Fetch the cards, — I feel so very stupid." - Lady Bertram

Which Jane Austen character will bore you most?
	Lady Middleton
	Mrs. Bates
	Lady Bertram
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The Connection Between Miss Bates and Mrs. Bates and Elinor Dashwood

Jane Austen's Emma boasts many memorable characters, including the amiable and chatty Miss Bates and her mother, Mrs. Bates. The real life mother and daughter team of Phyllida Law and Sophie Thompson played the two women in the 1996 version of Emma, directed by Douglas McGrath.

Phyllida Law and Sophie Thompson.

Both women are related to Emma Thompson, who is Sophie's older sister.

Emma played Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, 1996. Sophie also played Mary Musgrove in Persuasion, 1995. Update: Most recently, Phyllida played Cassandra Leigh Austen, Jane's mother, in Miss Austen Regrets. (See picnic photo)

More about Phyllida and her daughters:

• Daily Mail Article: Emma Thompson and Mum
  

• Phyllida Law: New York Times Biography

• Actors' Wedding Photo Donated: Bristol University
  

• Sophie Thompson Interview

• Emma Thompson Biography