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]

Mrs. Bennet vs. Jay-Z: Can't Knock the Hustle

con't from yesterday -

Mrs. Bennet was an old school hustler. I just didn't see it before. There are a few key parallels with Jay-Z's Can't Knock The Hustle. 

1. hustler: (n) an ambitious person who eagerly goes after what is desired. Mrs. Bennet was definitely eager.

Mrs. Bennet:
The business of her life was to get her daughters married.

Jay-Z:
"I'm making short term goals, when the weather folds,

Just put away the leathers and put ice on gold"

2. Hustlers know stakes are high.

Mrs. Bennet:
"I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children."

... [Mrs. Bennet] continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of setting an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of man whom nobody cared anything about.

Jay-Z:
"High stakes, I got more at stake than Philly"

3. Mrs. Bennet shamelessly bragged about Jane’s good looks while at Netherfield. Spittin' mad game to eliminate the Lucas girls from favor, in particular Charlotte Lucas. Dirty move. Hustlers aren't scared to do dirt to strengthened their games.

Mrs. Bennet:
"Oh! dear, yes; but your must own [Charlotte] is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane—one does not often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says."

Jay-Z: 

"Last seen out of state where I drop my slang
I'm deep in the South kickin' up top game"

 "We do dirt like worms"

4. When she was discontented, Mrs. Bennet fancied herself nervous which made her seem a little crazy. Hustlers often seem somewhat crazy to others.

Mrs. Bennet:

She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.

"People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer! -- But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied."

Jay-Z: 

"But until the late thang, I'm the one whose crazy
'Cause that's the way you're makin' me feel
I'm just trying to get mine, I don't have the time
To knock the hustle for real"

"Pops knew exactly what he did when he made me

Tried to get a nut and he got a nut. And what?
Straight bananas. Can a playa see me?"

5. Mrs. Bennet didn’t appreciate anyone trying to step to her or her peeps – even Mr. Darcy.

Mrs. Bennet:
"But I can assure you," she added, "that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."  (Mrs. Bennet to Mr. Bennet about Mr. Darcy)

Jay-Z:
"Your worst fear confirmed
Me and my fam roll tight like The Firm
Getting down for life, that's right, you better learn
Why play with fire, burn?
We get together like a choir to acquire what we desire"

6. Same here. When Darcy said, "In a country neighbourhood, you move in a very confined and unvarying society," Mrs. Bennet mistook it for an insult. She bragged about her 'hood.

Mrs. Bennet:
"... as to not meeting with many people in this neighborhood, I believe there are few neighborhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families."

Jay-Z:

"I am takin out this time to give you a piece of my mind
Cause you can't knock the hustle
Who do you think you are?"

"Got the U.S. Open. Advantage Jigga
Serve like Sampras, play fake a rappers like a campus
Le Tigre, son, you're too eager 
You ain't having it? Good, me either"

7. Mrs. Bennet wasn’t letting anyone mess up her game. Mr. Collins said was interested in marrying of her daughters. He focused on Jane, as she was the oldest. She cautioned Mr Collins that Jane was likely to be very soon engaged. Seeing an opportunity to secure the family estate and marry off another daughter, Mrs Bennet hinted to Elizabeth as an alternate match.

Mrs. Bennet:

Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeed her of course. Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she soon might have two daugthers married.

Jay-Z:  
"I'm leaning on any playa intervenin' with the sound of my money machine-in'"

8. Mrs. Bennet told Bingley that Mr. Bennet would save all the best hunting for him. Why? Cause they had it like that.

Mrs. Bennet:

"When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley, said her [Mrs. Bennet], "I beg you will come here, and shoot as many as you please on Mr. Bennet's manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige, and will save all the best of the covies for you."

Jay-Z: 

"I got extensive hoes, with expensive clothes"

Stop hating on Mrs. Bennet!

The first time that I read Pride And Prejudice, I felt like Mrs. Bennet was a shameless nut like most people. Who would want that loon as a mother? Talk about embarrassing. After reading it again, I would add another adjective to my Mrs. Bennet Wordle box. Effective. That's right effective.

An advantageous marriage was crucial to a young woman's survival during that time. As foolish as she was, Mrs. Bennet knew the score and did what she thought was best to make sure her babies came out on top. It worked (in a roundabout way). Having three out of five daughters wed by the end of the book ain't bad.

I was listening to Jay-Z's Can't Knock The Hustle the other day and thought, "Stop hating on Mrs. Bennet. She was a hustler and you can't knock her hustle. Even if her methods were suspect." Take a listen to a jazzy version of the song below and check my next post to see my hoydenish train of thought.

Video uploaded to YouTube by sheeshmusic

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.

Keira Knightley Discusses Pride and Prejudice

posted on YouTube by ebennet

WTH? A Game Of Sardines?

According to the director Joe Wright's commentary (available under Special Features on this DVD edition - Pride & Prejudice), he had the actresses who make up the Bennett family visit the Bennett house location, in Kent, before the crew arrived. They played a game of Sardines to get them acquainted with the house and each other before the actual movie filming began. The first time it was mentioned I thought that he said that he had them eat sardines to bond. WTH? You can see footage of them playing Sardines in one of the other Special Features. It seems to have worked as Keira mentions the closeness of the cast in the interview below.

I had never heard of the game. It looked kinda like Hide and Seek to me so I decided to look it up.  Check out  eHow's "How to Play the Sardine Variation of Hide & Seek" by Michael Elkins, eHow Contributor for instructions on how to play. Clearly I missed out as a child.


Did you play Sardines as a child?

 posted on YouTube by KelsiKnightley

Keira Knightley's Smug Elizabeth Bennet

I liked Keira's observation that each actress who portrays Elizabeth Bennet will bring something different to the role because the actress pulls her own emotions into the character. I think that Keira's portrayal added a certain smugness (and rejection of authority) that I had not seen in other movies.

Keira had an odd sort of action going on with her face (especially her chin and mouth) that added to the smugness ... almost like a snarl at times. It made me laugh - although I am sure that it was not meant to be comical.

I know many people found this version of Elizabeth annoying and unfaithful to the book. However, I thought that the smugness added height to Elizabeth's fall as she realized that she had drawn the wrong conclusions due to both pride and prejudice.

What do you think about Keira's version of Elizabeth Bennet?

 posted on YouTube by KelsiKnightley

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."

Wanted: Charles Bingley's White Soup

As for the ball, it is quite a settled thing; and as soon as Nicholls has made white soup enough I shall send round my cards.” – Charles Bingley, Pride and Prejudice

Sometimes, you just gotta love the Internet. I was curious about the white soup that Charles Bingley made for his ball. A quick search brought up a wealth of information. There are some great posts on the subject. Here are the ones that I found most interesting.

The Interesting History of White Soup at austenonly: A marvelous breakdown on white soup including a modern day recipe to try.

Supper at the Netherfield Ball: Pride and Prejudice at Jane Austen's World: This is a wonderful site to visit for an in depth look at Jane Austen, her writings, and the Regency era.

Rengency White Soup from The Jane Austen Centre: This site offers a wealth of Regency recipes (among many other things) that I am going to try soon.

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?

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