Gentle Readers, Vic from Jane Austen's World and I both freely admit to being passionate Jane Austen fans, which tends to infiltrate our everyday world in ways that have us viewing friends and ourselves through Austen's unique prism. Here is a bit of fun today for your amusement: LA: Vic and I were chatting on... Continue Reading →
Emma Woodhouse: Poverty, Marriage & Pedestals!
"Dear me! it is so odd to hear a woman talk so!"Â Â "I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry. Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not... Continue Reading →
Austen’s Emma: Dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me.
"I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to "'Yes,'" she ought to say "'No'" directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful... Continue Reading →
A valuable woman
VALUABLE "I cannot rate her beauty as you do," said he; "but she is a pretty little creature, and I am inclined to think very well of her disposition. Her character depends upon those she is with; but in good hands she will turn out a valuable woman."Mr. Knightley on Harriet Smith, Emma, Chapter 8... Continue Reading →
English verdure
VERDURE It was a sweet view -- sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure, English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being oppressive. The Narrator on Abbey-Mill Farm, Emma, Chapter 42 These poetic lines were prefaced by a description of Abbey-Mill Farm, which Emma and her party of family and... Continue Reading →
Exceedingly hilarious
EXCEEDINGLY they had suddenly perceived at a small distance before them, ... a party of gipsies. A child on the watch, came towards them to beg; and Miss Bickerton, excessively frightened, gave a great scream, and calling on Harriet to follow her, ran up a steep bank, cleared a slight hedge at the top, and... Continue Reading →
Incomprehensible imaginist
IMAGINIST "Oh! to be sure," cried Emma, "it is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her." Emma Woodhouse, Emma, Chapter 8 Emma has just told Mr. Knightly that her friend Harriet Smith has... Continue Reading →