Armchair BEA Discussion: Classic Literature Pt. 2 (Pride and Prejudice)

Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

Armchair BEA asked:

Why, reader, do you love classics?

Today, tell us all the reasons why you love classic literature. What are your favorite classics? If you could give a list of classics to someone who claims to hate them to make them change their mind, what would be on it? How would you convince them to give classics a try? And why do you keep coming back to those old favorites? - Genre: Classic Literature (Classics)

I like classics because they give me a picture of a time and place very different from my own.

I admittedly don't read a lot of classics. Therefore, I can't say that I am a lover of classic books. Unless I can count 84 Charing Cross Road, which is an epistolary novel about a woman who loves classic books. But I digress... With so many new books coming out each month, I find it hard to pick up classics on a consistent basis. There is just too much to read. On the other hand, I am not a hater of them either (they are in my TBR list).

For those who claim to hate the classics, I would suggest mixing it up. Read classics that have been adapted by radio, film and/or television and then listening to/watching the adaptations. I find the varying interpretations fascinating. They usually shed a different light on how I originally saw the classic. Two classics that I enjoyed but probably wouldn't have reached for at the bookstore are Dracula by Bram Stoker and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

PART 2 - Pride and Prejudice

I would recommend reading some of Jane Austen's novels. Although I came to my blog's name in a roundabout way due to Austen, I must confess that I am not the biggest Austen lover. I read Pride and Prejudice in high school and didn't feel compelled to read any of her other books.*  

As an adult, I decided to read all of her novels after watching the movie adaption of The Jane Austen Book Club and later reading the book. Her works are referenced numerous other books. They seem show up in my reading every few months, regardless of genre. Many movies and television shows have been based on Austen's novels.

Why should you read Pride and Prejudice?

• It's on Helene Hanff's list in 84, Charing Cross. If Helene says so, it must be good.
• P&P is #2 on the American Book Review's list of the 100 best first lines from novels.
• There are quite a few movie adaptations for you to judge and review. You can see how each portrayal of Elizabeth brings something different to the character in the movie adaptations. 
• You might have something a common with an Austen character. Take this quiz below. I am Elizabeth Bennet from Pride And Prejudice.

Read the book. Get your favorite snack. Watch the adaption(s). Let me know what you think.


Which Jane Austen Character Are YOU? [quiz]

What is you favorite book written by Jane Austen? [poll]

 

Ronnie Taheny's amazing Mr Darcy poem performed at The Gov in Adelaide, South Australia on Feb 3rd, 2008. - posted on YouTube by futzmasterpro

* I re-read Pride and Prejudice and changed my mind about it. See Dr. Darcy is my new literary boyfriend.

Armchair BEA Discussion: Classic Literature Pt. 1 (Dracula)

Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

Armchair BEA asked:

Why, reader, do you love classics?

Today, tell us all the reasons why you love classic literature. What are your favorite classics? If you could give a list of classics to someone who claims to hate them to make them change their mind, what would be on it? How would you convince them to give classics a try? And why do you keep coming back to those old favorites? - Genre: Classic Literature (Classics)

I like classics because they give me a picture of a time and place very different from my own.

I admittedly don't read a lot of classics. Therefore, I can't say that I am a lover of classic books. Unless I can count 84 Charing Cross Road, which is an epistolary novel about a woman who loves classic books. But I digress... With so many new books coming out each month, I find it hard to pick up classics on a consistent basis. There is just too much to read. On the other hand, I am not a hater of them either (they are in my TBR list).

For those who claim to hate the classics, I would suggest mixing it up. Read classics that have been adapted by radio, film and/or television and then listen to/watch the adaptations. I find the varying interpretations fascinating. They usually shed a different light on how I originally saw the classic. Two classics that I enjoyed but probably wouldn't have reached for at the bookstore are Dracula by Bram Stoker and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

 

Part 1 - Dracula

I would argue that Dracula, in one way or another, is the source of most of the vampire stories told since its publishing in 1897. In general, I am not a huge fan of vampire books or movies. Honestly, the only vampire that I love is the Count from Sesame Street. I am however, a Nosey Nelly. I like to be at least a little "in the know" about what other people are reading. Dracula is the granddaddy of all vampire books. Come on, classic hater. You gotta read it, if only for its staying power and influence.

While checking my Twitter timeline during Bout of Books 7.0 earlier this month, I realized that I had missed the start of Bite-Sized Dracula's Dracula read-along. So instead of starting Dark Origins - my pre-selected read - I started reading Dracula. [I already had the Dracula ebook pictured above.]

Do consider joining in the read-along. You can read at your own pace, at any time (don't worry that it has already started). It's a neat way to read this classic. The actual text of the novel is posted on the blog, so you don't need a copy. The BSD blog posts a new portion daily with tweets from the characters.

Have found some hope in the Szgany (no clue how to pronounce that) working for Dracula. Gave them letters (and a bribe) to send home.
— Jonathan Harker (@JHarkerEsq) May 28, 2011

Some days there is even an alternate steampunk version of a scene. Although I finished the ebook, I am still reading along with Bite-Sized Dracula. Jonathan Harker's entries are by far the best - both in the classic novel and on Twitter. Vampires are all the rage right now. After reading Dracula, I can kinda see why.



 

When you finish the book, move on to the adaptations. You should listen to the radio adaptation of Dracula by Orson Welles from Adventures in Old Time Radio (1938). You can listen to it for free using the bar below. It's less than an hour long. Don't cheat and only listen to the this version. You still need to read the book. SMH.



Then try a couple of Dracula-based movies, comic books, television shows (Dracula is coming Fridays this fall to NBC) and/or cartoons. OMG! How could you not give Dracula a try?


Your mission, classic hater, should you decide to accept it:

1. Read the book.
2. Get your favorite snack.
3. Check out the adaptions.
4. Swing back by my blog to check out my review (I'm currently working on it).
5. Let me know what you thought of the novel.
6. Let me know what adaptations you liked.

Are you still here? UGH! Go read Dracula! Bramsy and I are waiting...

Scoatney Hall is the "new" Netherfield Park

“Did you think of anything when Miss Marcy said Scoatney Hall was being re-opened? I thought of the beginning of Pride and Prejudice – where Mrs. Bennett says ‘Netherfield Park is let at last.’

          And then Mr. Bennett goes over to call on the rich new owner.” [Rose]

“Mr. Bennett didn’t owe him any rent,” I said.  [Cassandra]

“Father wouldn’t go anyway." [Rose]

Which would be nicest? Smidgen of Austen or Bronte

In Chapter 2 (page 24):

[Rose] "How I wish I lived in a Jane Austen novel!"
[Cassandra] I said I'd rather be in a Charlotte Bronte.
[Rose] "Which would be nicest - Jane with a touch of Charlotte, or Charlotte with a touch of Jane?"

What do you think? 80% Austen and 20% Bronte?

I have NO clue. I have never read any of the Bronte sisters' works (unless I blocked them from high school memories). I am adding them to my TBR list. I have quite a referenced list of literature to read from this book (see I am Grigg!). SMH.


Literature
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 
As You Like It (The New Folger Library Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare
Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen
What Maisie Knew (Penguin Classics) by Henry James
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
War and Peace (Wordsworth Classics) (Wadsworth Collection) by Leo Tolstoy
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard and Heloise
Vanity Fair (Barnes & Noble Classics) by William Makepeace Thackeray
A la recherche du temps perdu (French Edition) by Marcel Proust
The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales (Signet Classics) by Edgar Allan Poe


Music
Debussy: Images 1 & 2; Children's Corner by Claude Debussy
Clair De Lune by Claude Debussy
Preludes, Book 1: No. 10. La cathedrale engloutie by Claude Debussy
Préludes, Book 2: 7. La terrasse des audiences au clair de lune by Claude Debussy
Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach

Matches & Matrimony: A new game twist on Jane Austen

I am not really into video games. Although I have not tried it, I think that Matches & Matrimony is an interesting concept.  It is a game built from three of Jane Austen's most popular novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion). From the Matches & Matrimony website:

Become the heroine of Jane Austen's most popular novels! Create your own storyline from the intersecting stories of 3 of Miss Austen's books as you pick your daily routine and choose your own path to happiness and fortune. With 9 different endings to be discovered, Matches & Matrimony can be played again and again as you create your own classic tale of romance.

Check out Emily Short's (Gamasutra contributor) review of the game. "Analysis: Pride And Prejudice And Plot."


Have you tried Matches & Matrimony? What did you think?

Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen [Book Review]

My Amazon.com review of Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen (Weldon, Fay).
 

"More about love of literature than Austen"

I stumbled across Fay Weldon in researching the 1980 BBC miniseries adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice starring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul.

Weldon wrote the screenplay for the adaptation so I had high expectations for her book, “Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen.” I was expecting something witty, eloquent, and thoughtful. And I got that. However, I felt that the book was an interesting exposition on the importance and relevance of literature and writing (in epistolary format) with some Jane Austen thrown in the subplot mix (not what I expected). I expected more on Austen.

The first chapter on the “City of Invention” was thought provoking and elegantly stated (read the book, if only for this chapter). In her effort to weave in the subplot of her niece’s book, I think that Weldon falls short of really selling her niece (and me) on Austen. I expected to read more of Weldon’s analysis of Austen’s works and less of the “guidance” on the niece’s book. On the other hand, Weldon’s passion for books really comes through in the letters. She sold me on the merits of reading and writing great literature. I will be picking up some of the other authors that she recommended.

* If you are a lover of literature or a writer (especially an aspiring writer), you will enjoy reading this book. If you are specifically looking to dip your toes into Austen’s work and related topics, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. Perhaps Natalie Tyler's book, The Friendly Jane Austen: A Well-Mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense and Sensibility. BTW - Weldon is interviewed and referenced in Tyler's work. If you are interested in another epistolary book by a passionate reader/writer, I’d recommend 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.

GBU: Pride and Prejudice - 2005 Movie

"My goodness, did you see her hem? Six inches deep in mud. She looked positively medieval." - Caroline Bingley

The Good:

• The chemistry between Elizabeth and Darby. My favorite scene of the movie was when Darby made his first proposal (see my post "You call that a marriage proposal?"). Electric (probably too electric when compared to the book).
• Mr. Collins. "It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable." I really liked the way that Tom Hollander played Collins (check out fan site Thomagination). His portrayal was different from other performances that I have seen (especially the crazy eyes).
• The cinematography. Lovely. Just lovely.

The Bad:
Many people were upset about all of the changes to settings, behavior, dialogue, etc. in this adaptation. To get the movie down to 2 hours+ (much shorter than others), Joe Wright (director) had to take some liberties. I considered this version to be a very loose youthful adaptation so I was not greatly bothered by the changes except for the pigs walking through the house, Lady Catherine de Bourgh showing up after hours, and Mr. Bingley being portrayed as a bumbling idiot. This is definitely not the version to watch instead of reading the book ... not that you or I would do that.

The Ugly:
I thought that Judi Dench looked absolutely FABULOUS. Her hair made me want to reach for a bottle of Aquanet. She is by far my favorite Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I wished that her part was bigger. What was up with the lighting on her face during the confrontation scene with Lizzie (about her alleged engagement to Darby)? I mean, it added to the harshness of the scene. But did they have to do her like that?

What are your good, bad, and ugly for the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?

How do you rate the movie?

Fordyce's Sermons: Makes You Want to Holler

Fordyce's Sermons make you want to holler. Or in Lydia Bennet's case - gasp. In chapter 14 of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins attempts to read to the Bennet clan from Dr. James Fordyce's Sermons. He makes it about three pages before Lydia gasps and rudely interrupts his reading.

"Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with --"

Were the sermons really that bad? What's the deal? Well, Fordyce was a Scottish clergyman. His Sermons to Young Women was a popular guidebook on women’s conduct. It was published around 1766-7 and remained popular for many years. 

 Example:

"In your sex manly exercises are never graceful a tone and figure of the masculine kind are always forbidding men of sensibility desire in every woman soft features a form not robust and demeanor delicate and gentle Nature appears to have formed the (mental) faculties of your sex, for the most part, with less vigour than those of ours, observing the same distinction here as in the more delicate frames of your bodies."

Dr. Fordyce married at the age of 51.  It must have been hard to find a woman that met his stringent criteria. SMH.

I normally try to read the literary works mentioned in the books that I read. After reading some of his quotes, I cannot bring myself to read his entire two-volume work. Particularly if I have to pay for it (if you know of an accessible free copy, let me know).

In the word's of Marvin Gaye, Fordyce's Sermons "make me wanna holler and throw up both my hands."

Have you read Fordyce's Sermons to Young Women?

P.S.
Natalie Tyler's book, The Friendly Jane Austen: A Well-Mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense and Sensibility, offers a nice discussion on conduct literature with Veronica Leahy (chair of the English department at the Columbus School for Girls). In case you are interested.

Digging into Chapter 14: Fordyce's Sermons and Backgammon

Fordyce's Sermons and Backgammon were two things that caught my eye in Pride and Prejudice. I'll explain why in the next posts.

Here's the snippet referencing both in Chapter 14:

"By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it (for everything announced it to be from a circulating library) he started back, and begging pardon, protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with --

"Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard; and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town."

Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said --

"I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes me, I confess; for, certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin."

Then, turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at backgammon."

Dr. Darcy is my new literary boyfriend.

Okay. I finally get it.

For years, I have heard fans of Jane Austen go on and on about how they want to be Elizabeth Bennet and find their Mr. Darcy. Frankly, I just didn’t get it. I read the book in high school. Although some misconceptions were cleared up and his softer side was revealed, I wasn’t feeling Mr. Darcy at the end of the novel. He still seemed a bit high maintenance and pompous to me.

I was even more puzzled when scoring as Elizabeth Bennet on the Which Jane Austen character are you? quiz. I just didn’t see it. Elizabeth Bennet? Me? No way Jose. Though one of my friends insisted that it was spot on (who asked her anyway).

Then, I reread the novel and watched the movie adaptations. D'oh! [Said in my best Homer Simpson voice while smacking my forehead.] Like both characters in book, I can now see the errors in my judgment. I was blinded by both pride and prejudice.

I am Elizabeth Bennet.

I want A Darcy Before I Die too.


SMH

Ronnie Taheny's amazing Mr Darcy poem performed at The Gov in Adelaide, South Australia on Feb 3rd, 2008. - posted on YouTube by futzmasterpro

You call that a marriage proposal?

Mr. Darcy's first marriage proposal is my favorite scene in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It is electric. The rain, the face-off, the almost kiss.

OMG. Was Darby’s first marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet not one of the ugliest sounding marriage proposals ever?

Reminds me of the chorus of "Lets Get Married" by Jagged Edge. "Meet me at the altar in your white dress. We ain't gettin no younger; we might as well do it."  Check the video.

Fellas, I know these proposals sounded good when you all worked them out in your heads ... but you shoulda trimmed them down a bit. Check out these clips from some fabulous posters on YouTube.com

Pride & Prejudice (2005) 

 

I like how he gets in close and the way he says, "Mr. Wickham."

Pride & Prejudice (1995)

Pride & Prejudice (1980)

Pride & Prejudice (1940)

What is the worst marriage prosposal in a film or book that you have ever heard/read?

Diggin' in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

One of the most well-known first lines in fiction:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Do you think that this line still holds true today?

Check out the American Book Review's list of the "100 best first lines from novels." Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is #2.

Which Jane Austen Character Are YOU?

Apparently, I am Elizabeth Bennet from Pride And Prejudice. LOL! I dunno about this ... perhaps!

Which Jane Austen Character Are YOU?

Elizabeth Bennet (From Pride And Prejudice) Qualities: spiritual (not religious spiritual, other one), good humored, quick to judge, observant, witty, good looking, stubborn. About you: You have a good humored, spiritual, witty and observant take on life. You hold your morals very strongly as a person, and are strongly opinionated, and that can lead you to be very quick to judge based on what you hear. However, you learn from your mistakes (even with your stubbornness). You are not the most sought after person, but you're definitely a person that at second glance is quite special. You can be quick to judge, and that leads you to be quite wrong as you do not give some as fair a chance as others, which can be problematic in the long run. However, everything resolves itself in the end for you. Fortune: Not everyone will be pleased or end up living a fairytale in your life, but you will have your happy ending (or beginning (: ). It won't be your ideal one, but it will be the one you'll find out you want most of all.

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

Which Jane Austen Character Are YOU?

Created by Nellybi on Quibblo.com.

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

What is you favorite book written by Jane Austen? [vote]

I read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility a long time ago (in high school). I recall thinking that they were okay. I didn't feel compelled to read the others for fun. Perhaps the pressure of grades killed my Jane Austen buzz? I dunno. Fast forward to the present. A different time. A different reader.

Watching The Jane Austen Book Club movie made me want to read the book from which it was adapted. Reading the book inspired me to read all of Jane Austen's novels. I stopped half-way through Emma and decided to start again with the new year. I am picking up the torch again. When I finish the six novels, I am moving on to The Jane Austen is My Homegirl Reading Challenge.

A lot of folks really seem to love Jane Austen!

What is you favorite book written by Jane Austen? Why?

Edward Edward Everywhere

I am chugging through an array of books – currently reading Twilight, Like Water for Chocolate, and The Jane Austen Book Club. And kinda sorta Their Eyes Were Watching God.  I have noticed a number of connections to Jane Austen’s works that I had not expected. One of the benefits of reading multiple books at once.

In Twilight, Bella Swan mentions that her favorite Austen books were Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Bella tries to read to avoid thinking about her soon-to-be love, Edward Cullen. Once she gets  into Sense and Sensibility, Bella gets annoyed because one of the main characters is named Edward. She switches to Mansfield Park only to realize that there is an Edward in it too.

It seems like Jane Austen uses the same first names in a number of her books. While looking up information on Austen and her books (because of The Jane Austen Book Club), I came across Katherine Cox’s blog November’s Autumn. Katherine is hosting a series called Jane Austen’s Paradox of Names. Join her every other Thursday as she compares and analyzes Jane Austen’s characters who share first names.

Check out The Story Behind Twilight to read more about how Stephenie Meyers chose her characters’ names.

Jane Austen Is My Homegirl Reading Challenge

Jane Austen is not my homegirl, but perhaps she should be.
 
After reading The Jane Austen Book Club, I thought that it would be good to read the actual Austen books too. I read some of them so long ago that it shouldn’t even count. I have decided to join the “Jane Austen Is My Homegirl Reading Challenge” issued by The Book Buff.

You can find all the details including a suggested reading list on the site. There is a truckload of books.  The challenge is going on for one year (1 Aug 2010 – 31 July 2011).  By the end, you’ll have gotten your Austen fix or developed a new addiction (ha!). The Book Buff is giving participants who enter a chance to win books. Reads like win-win to me!

Follow my progress on Una's Reading Challenges page.