Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen and printed in 1813.  Despite being over 200 years old, its characters still resonate with readers.  What is it about this novel that captures the imagination?  Personally I love the flawed characters, the witty dialogue, the social commentary and the lessons learned across the different relationships.  

The first line of the book states: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."  This sets the reader up for the introduction of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, who have such good fortunes that their need for wives must be great.  Jane Bennett is such a beauty, as well as so good natured, that she is immediately seen as an excellent candidate.  One of the discussion points for our group was, why isn't Jane already married?  She had to be at least 21 at the beginning of the book, which was almost an old maid back in 1813.  Her good lucks and amiability should have secured her a husband well before the arrival of Mr. Bingley.  

As one of the central characters, Elizabeth Bennett is a strong female.  She speaks her mind, even when it is not appropriate.  She turns down a proposal of marriage from Mr. Collins even though it is a respectable offer that would benefit her family.  She turns down a proposal from Mr. Darcy and does not spare his feelings on her reasons why.  She goes for long walks on her own in a time where governesses and chaperones often shepherded young women wherever they went.  This independent mind and spirit set her apart from the other women in the book.  When Elizabeth learns more about Mr. Darcy and her feelings change, it is clear that she loves deeply.

Mary is the awkward middle child.  In our book group discussion we all felt sorry for Mary.  You wonder what would happen if she had been given the chance to be courted by Mr. Collins.  She seemed good hearted, although serious.  She clearly worked hard and had a desire to be valued.  We need people like Mary in this world and it seems like she gets the least consideration of any of the characters in the book.

Lydia and Kitty are young girls in need of direction.  However, it is clear that there are no examples of effective parenting throughout the book.  The Bennett's allow, and even encourage, their girls to throw themselves at men without any review of the appropriateness of the men.  They allow them so much independence that they often are at odds with social norms.

Charlotte Lucas is an interesting character because she was an older, plain woman, who found happiness in her situation.  She saw the opportunity to be happy, and she grabbed it.  There are many times in our lives when we too need to make the best of our situations, and reading Charlottes story can help us to see that there can be happy endings in unlikely places.

Interestingly, Mr. Darcy has become a reference point for the perfect romantic man.  In the novel he is bad at small talk, and horrible at proposals, but he does have passionate feelings and acts upon them.  The BBC version of Pride and Prejudice popularize the image of Mr. Darcy.  According to Colin Firth, when he was first offered the rold of Darcy, his brother incredulously remarked, "Darcy?  But isn't he supposed to be sexy?" And my husband was surprised when I told him that the book does not include a scene where Mr. Darcy swims across a pond.  

Some other questions we discussed were:

- How would the book change if it ended with Lydia and Wickham's disappearance?  

- Who would benefit from a parent's interference?

- Was Charlotte Lucas right to marry Mr. Collins?

- Elizabeth is furious with Darcy for breaking up the match between Jane and Mr. Bingley.  Although he initially defends himself, she changes his mind.  Later, when Lady Catherine attempts to interfere in his own courtship, he describes this as unjustifiable.  Should you tell a friend if you think they're about to make a big mistake romantically?  If you have, how did that work out for you?

Other spin off books that you might enjoy:

Death Comes to Pemberley 

Austenland:

If you enjoyed, Pride and Prejudice, other Jane Austen books you should read are:

Emma:

Sense and Sensibility:

Mansfield Park:

And here are some excellent film/tv versions of Pride and Prejudice or spin-offs that are work taking a look at: 

BBC Pride and Prejudice (1995):

Pride and Prejudice (2005):

Lost in Austen (2008):

Bride and Prejudice (2004): 

And if that isn't enough for you, in 2015 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is scheduled to be released.  

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This entry has been pieced together a bit at a time over the
course of a couple weeks so I hope it comes together in a coherent manner.  Here goes . . .
Jane Eyre was assigned reading for my High School Women's Literature class and I never got past Jane's days at Lowood.  When I went to BYU somehow it kept coming up and it seemed everyone loved it, so I decided to give it another try and forced my way past that beginning section. [I've noticed this is a common thing with the Bronte novels.  It seems there's often a bit at the beginning that either serves no purpose or what purpose it does serve could be summed up in a few paragraphs.  I've read 5 of the 7 that the sisters wrote and I think they all have that element.]  Anyway, I loved it and got a bit obsessed about the Bronte family.  I'm not the only one.
John had checked this out for me and while it is called The Bronte Sisters, it has more about Branwell than many accounts.  It's a young adult biography so it's a pretty quick read.
The online world gives us a chance to peep into others obsessions with the Brontes and their novels.
Here is a post murmuring about the new editions blatantly copying the Twilight covers.  Reader, I don't get the sameness.
She includes a link to Jane Eyre Illustrated with a variety of illustrations and cover art.  And here's a link to a blog devoted entirely to the Bronte Sisters.
Ask the primary kids.  I love to show pictures.  So here is the Bronte clan.

Patrick Bronte

Maria Branwell Bronte

Aunt Elizabeth Branwell

Charlotte's Husband, Arthur Nicholls Bell

Branwell Bronte

The four Bronte siblings.
As far as I know there are no pictures of the oldest two sisters, Maria and Elizabeth that died so young

Charlotte

Emily, Charlotte [Branwell-erased] and Anne in a portrait by Branwell

Haworth Parsonage [Charlotte in the distance they think]
Click here for a video about the Parsonage

Emily's portrait of her dog, Keeper

Charlotte's portrait of Anne's dog Flossy
More links!  Here is a link to the posts for Anne Bronte's novel, Agnes Grey.  The 1st book group selection to have an entry on this blog, 2 years ago this month.  Here is a snippet from that blog that applies to the Brontes, not just Anne and Agnes Grey.

For those of you wanting to read a bit more about Anne and her sisters' lives you can visit the sites listed here.
You can find some odd and cool things too.
Here is a pretend Bronte sisters power dolls ad that I cannot over sell:  


With so much to read and discover about Charlotte and her family and their writings it seems like maybe only a distraction to bring up the movies too, but there are a LOT of movies based on Jane Eyre.  As many of you know, I have a couple pet peeves about the movie adaptations.
One is that Rochester is never dark, wild and broody enough.  At best he comes across as a bit soft with fits of mania.
Some samples:

He's one of the better ones but did a WAY better job as Mr Markham in Anne's Tenent of Wildfell Hall (below)

 

I've long believed that Hugh Jackman is one of few actors who could properly pull off the range of emotions that Rochester displays without looking like a total nut.

He could even play opposite his Xmen costar Rogue who played young Jane (1996 version I think).

I still believe he'd be the best Rochester, but the most recent version chose another of the X-men to fill the role and he does a surprisingly good job.  So you get Magneto

instead of Wolverine,

but I was pleasantly surprised.

Also the FEEL of this movie, the slow-moving intensity of it does FEEL like the book.
[Spoiler alert]  My second pet peeve is that the climax of the book is when Jane is about to accept St John's proposal.  At first she's fairly appalled by the idea, but she begins to believe that he may be right and that perhaps it is God's will for her to marry him and be a missionary and she's just. about. to. say. 'yes' when she's saved by that voice calling her from across the moor.  EVERY movie (most recent one excepted, I think) butchers this, some leave it out entirely and it all makes for a much weaker story.  Weirdly I can't recall how they dealt with this in the newest one.  I just remember that they did a pretty good job with casting Rochester and Jane and the FEEL, again, I've never seen one that felt so much like reading the book.  I should watch it again, huh?
First I've got to finish re-reading the book.  Been too sick this last week to even read, much.  Watched like 20 episodes of the Cosby Show though.  Anywho . . .back to the book

Here are some discussion questions to think over (these are a selection from Penguin Classics and Random House and misc websites.)  You don't have to read them all, but I did narrow down a LOT.

JANE

1. Throughout the novel, questions of identity are raised. From her identity as an orphan and stranger in the hostile environment of Gateshead Hall to that of a ward of the church at Lowood; from her being a possible wife of Rochester, then of St. John, to being the cousin of Diana and Mary, Jane is constantly in transition. Trace these changes in identity and how they affect Jane's view of herself and the world around her. Describe the final discovery of her identity that becomes apparent in the last chapter of the novel and the events that made that discovery possible.
2. In what ways, and for what reasons, is Jane portrayed as an outsider?
3. Brontë populates the novel with many female characters roughly the same age as Jane—Georgiana and Eliza Reed, Helen Burns, Blanche Ingram, Mary and Diana Rivers, and Rosamund Oliver. How do comparisons with these characters shape the reader's understanding of Jane's character?
4. Is Jane’s ethical sense innate? Is she born knowing right from wrong, or does she learn the difference?
5. Why does Rochester like to describe Jane as some kind of supernatural creature – an elf, a fairy, a sprite, etc.? Does she have an "elfin" feel to the reader, or is he just making fun of her?
6. What would happen to the story if Jane were beautiful instead of plain? Would it matter?
7. Though possessing an inner strength that sustains her during the most difficult times, Jane also relies on the love and support of those around her. How does her friendship with Helen Burns ease Jane's transition to Lowood and inspire her intellectual achievement? Is the depth of their relationship fully realized in the film? How does Mrs. Fairfax's welcome of Jane at Thornfield contrast with the treatment she receives at Gateshead? What role do Diana and Mary Rivers play in restoring Jane's will to live after she abandons her post at Thornfield? What does Jane mean when she tells St. John that, though she has always known herself, Mr. Rochester was the first to recognize her?

ROCHESTER, ST. JOHN AND RELIGION

1. What does St. John feel for Jane? Why does Jane end her story with his prayer?
2. Jane asserts her equality to Rochester (p. 284), and St. John (p. 452). What does Jane mean by equality, and why is it so important to her?
3. In Jane Eyre, nothing can better show a man's moral worth than the way in which he treats the women in his life. How is Rochester's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Adele, Bertha Mason, and Miss Ingram, and in his reported treatment of Celine Varens? How is St. John's character reflected in the way he treats Jane, Miss Oliver, and Diana and Mary? Why does this serve as such a good gauge of a man's morality and worth? What other relationships serve similar functions in the novel?
4. Throughout the novel, Charlotte Brontë uses biblical quotes and religious references. From the church-supported school she attended that was run by Mr. Brocklehurst to the offer of marriage she receives from St. John, she is surrounded by aspects of Christianity. How does this influence her throughout her development? How do her views of God and Christianity change from her days as a young girl to the end of the novel? How is religion depicted in the novel, positively or negatively?
5. Some movie adaptations all but eliminate the chapters with St. John, or at least the romance with him.  Are they essential?

JANE AND ROCHESTER

1. When Jane hears Rochester's voice calling while he is miles away, she says the phenomenon "is the work of nature" (p. 467). What does she mean by this? What are we intended to conclude about the meaning of this experience?
2. What is the balance of power between Jane and Rochester when they marry? Does this balance change from the beginning of the marriage to the time ten years later that Jane describes at the end of the novel (p. 500-501)?
3. Consider Jane and Rochester's relationship: What do they have in common; How do they establish a relationship; Is their relationship plausible?
4. If Jane and Rochester are "akin," then what is their "kind"? What do they actually share, and what made them similar in the first place?
5. Many critics have faulted Brontë for blinding and crippling Rochester.  Why do you think she did it?
6. Even though Rochester is often described as physically unattractive and bullying, and Jane, as plain, the romance between the two is one of the greatest in literary history.   Why?
7. "Reader, I married him...": Does Jane Eyre have a happy ending?  What does the novel conclude with the death of St. John rather than with Jane's and Rochester's marriage?

AUTHORSHIP

1. Upon publication, great speculation arose concerning the identity of the author of Jane Eyre, known only by the pen name Currer Bell. Questions as to the sex of the author were raised, and many critics said that they believed it to be the work of a man. One critic of her time said, "A book more unfeminine, both in its excellence and defects, it would be hard to find in the annals of female authorship. Throughout there is masculine power, breadth and shrewdness, combined with masculine hardness, coarseness, and freedom of expression." Another critic of the day, Elizabeth Rigby, said that if it was the product of a female pen, then it was the writing of a woman "unsexed." Why was there such importance placed on the sex of the author and why was it questioned so readily? What does it mean that people believed it to be the product of a man rather than of a woman?

MISC

1. Does the reader feel sorry for Bertha Mason? Does Rochester treat her fairly? Does she seem as bad as he suggests?

The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith

This is a novel that I've often referred to as the grandfather of the English novel.  It has elements that seem so clearly those of Dickens or Austen and even the Bronte's and yet this novel came first. And he fits it all into 224 pages!

Oliver Goldsmith was born in Ireland in 1728 and died at the age of 43.  He wrote plays, poems and this novel.  He was friends with Samuel Johnson*, who, according to Wikipedia related the following about the sale of the The Vicar of Wakefield to a publisher.

"I received one morning a message from poor Goldsmith that he was in great distress, and, as it was not in his power to come to me, begging that I would come to him as soon as possible. I sent him a guinea, and promised to come to him directly. I accordingly went as soon as I was dressed, and found that his landlady had arrested him for his rent, at which he was in a violent passion: I perceived that he had already changed my guinea, and had a bottle of Madeira and a glass before him. I put the cork into the bottle, desired he would be calm, and began to talk to him of the means by which he might be extricated. He then told me he had a novel ready for the press, which he produced to me. I looked into it and saw its merit; told the landlady I should soon return; and, having gone to a bookseller, sold it for sixty pounds. I brought Goldsmith the money, and he discharged his rent, not without rating his landlady in a high tone for having used him so ill. ”  The novel was not published until 1766.

 I discovered that there are paintings of scenes from the book and so I included a few of those for fun.

*(For those who recognize the name Samuel Johnson but can't recall what he's known for, I'll help you out, since it was driving me crazy and I had to look it up myself.  "After nine years of work, Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language was published in 1755. It had a far-reaching effect on Modern English and has been described as "one of the greatest single achievements of scholarship."  He also annotated Shakespeare's plays and Rasselas and wrote A Journey toe the Western Islands of Scotland and what wkipedia describes as the massive and influential Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, a collection of biographies and evaluations of 17th- and 18th-century poets. 
Here's a painting of him reading the manuscript to the Vicar of Wakefield

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

For February we'll be discussing The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien.

I usually try to find an 'official' site for authors and books, but that has been a bit complicated.  These books have been around for SO long and are SO well-loved that there is a LOT of information.  Of course you are all capable of doing a google search, but I like to have things handier for us.  So here are some of the sites I found interesting.

Of the ones I looked at, the Tolkien Library, seemed to be the best organized, most comprehensive as well as most interesting of the ones I looked at.  Here are a few of its pages I found most relevant.
Tolkien Library Biography
Tolkien Library Gallery of Hobbit Translations from around the globe (totally worth checking out although I included several at the end of this post).
Tolkien Library: About the Hobbit
Tolkien Library: Books by J.R.R. Tolkien


The Tolkien Society has a site, and while it has a lot of information, it isn't the most intuitive set up.  It focuses most on the author himself and his works as a whole, but if you are looking for something specific about the hobbit it may be hard to find here.
Tolkien Society Home Page
Tolkien Society's Tolkien Biography

There were a couple other sites that looked worthwhile:
The Barrow-Downs about the Hobbit
The Hobbit Hunter
And just because I found them fascinating here are a bunch of different covers.  Many in English but some in other languages.  Some beautiful, some horrible.