Monday 14 February 2011

VALENTINE'S DAY POLL - WHICH IS THE MOST ROMANTIC AUSTEN FINALE?

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you,  my Janeite friends all over the world. Here's a poll for you in this especially romantic day in the year. Which is the most romantic finale in Jane Austen's novels?
Choose your favourite one after reading/watching this post, vote in the poll, then leave your comment and e-mail address and you'll have a chance to win the cute Regency gifts below created and offered  by Masha Laurence at  Etsy
Masha  was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, where her  parents worked at the Bolshoi Theatre.  From her  youngest days, many of which were spent backstage and in the costume hall she  aquired passionate love of costumes and everything to do with ballet and opera.  Her other passion is books, the classics in particular, that is why her artwork generally reflects period costumes and scenes from her favorite books. She now lives in the US,  love being married to a real life Mr.Knightley and has 4 wonderful and crazy kids.

Visit her site and enjoy her lovely creations.

Now have a look at the gifts! 

 1. Set of bookmarks Captain Wentworth & Ann Elliot

2. Darcy and Elizabeth - Card

3. Henry Tilney - bookmark

NORTHANGER ABBEY
"He felt himself bound as much in honour as in affection to Miss Morland, and believing that heart to be his own which he had been directed to gain, no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent, no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger, could shake his fidelity, or influence the resolutions it prompted." (chapter 30)





SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

"Elinor could sit it no longer. She almost ran out of the room, and as soon as the door was closed, burst into tears of joy, which at first she thought would never cease. Edward, who had till then looked any where, rather than at her, saw her hurry away, and perhaps saw--or even heard, her emotion; for immediately afterwards he fell into a reverie, which no remarks, no inquiries, no affectionate address of Mrs. Dashwood could penetrate, and at last, without saying a word, quitted the room, and walked out towards the village--leaving the others in thegreatest astonishment and perplexity on a change in his situation, so wonderful and so sudden;--a perplexity which they had no means of lessening but by their own conjectures. Unaccountable, however, as the circumstances of his release might appear to the whole family, it was certain that Edward was free; and to what purpose that freedom would be employed was easily pre-determined by all;--for after experiencing the blessings of ONE imprudent engagement, contracted without his mother's consent, as he had already
done for more than four years, nothing less could be expected of him in the failure of THAT, than the immediate contraction of another ".
(chapter 49)





PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

"If you _will_ thank me," he replied, "let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your  _family_ owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of _you_."
Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. _My_affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever."

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not
very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone
so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances.
" (chapter 58)





EMMA


You will not ask me what is the point of envy.--You are determined, I see, to have no curiosity.--You are wise--but _I_ cannot be wise. Emma, I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment."
(…)

"As a friend!"--repeated Mr. Knightley.--"Emma, that I fear is a word--No, I have no wish--Stay, yes, why should I hesitate?—I have gone too far already for concealment.--Emma, I accept your offer--Extraordinary as it may seem, I accept it, and refer myself to you as a friend.--Tell me, then, have I no chance of ever succeeding?"

He stopped in his earnestness to look the question, and the expression of his eyes overpowered her.
"My dearest Emma," said he, "for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour's conversation,

my dearest, most beloved Emma--tell me at once. Say 'No,' if it is to be said."--She could really say nothing.
"You are silent," he cried, with great animation; "absolutely silent! at present I ask no more."
(…)

"I cannot make speeches, Emma:" he soon resumed; and in a tone of such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing.--"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am.--You hear nothing but truth from me.—I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.--Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The
manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover.--But you understand me.--Yes, you see, you understand my feelings--and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice." (chapter 49 pp.370-373)





MANSFIELD PARK
Edmund had greatly the advantage of her in this respect. He had not to wait and wish with vacant affections for an object worthy to succeed her in them. Scarcely had he done regretting Mary Crawford, and observing to Fanny how impossible it was that he should ever meet with such another woman, before it began to strike him whether a very different kind of woman might not do just as well, or a great deal better: whether Fanny
herself were not growing as dear, as important to him in all her smiles and all her ways, as Mary Crawford had ever been; and whether it might not be a possible, an hopeful undertaking to persuade her that her warm
and sisterly regard for him would be foundation enough for wedded love. With such a regard for her, indeed, as his had long been, a regard founded on the most endearing claims of innocence and helplessness, and
completed by every recommendation of growing worth, what could be more natural than the change? Loving, guiding, protecting her, as he had been doing ever since her being ten years old, her mind in so great a degree
formed by his care, and her comfort depending on his kindness, an object to him of such close and peculiar interest, dearer by all his own importance with her than any one else at Mansfield, what was there now
to add, but that he should learn to prefer soft light eyes to sparkling dark ones. And being always with her, and always talking confidentially, and his feelings exactly in that favourable state which a recent disappointment gives, those soft light eyes could not be very long in obtaining the pre-eminence.

Having once set out, and felt that he had done so on this road to happiness, there was nothing on the side of prudence to stop him or make
his progress slow; no doubts of her deserving, no fears of opposition of
taste, no need of drawing new hopes of happiness from dissimilarity of temper. Her mind, disposition, opinions, and habits wanted no half-concealment, no self-deception on the present, no reliance on
future improvement. Even in the midst of his late infatuation, he had acknowledged Fanny's mental superiority. What must be his sense of it now, therefore? She was of course only too good for him; but as nobody
minds having what is too good for them, he was very steadily earnest in the pursuit of the blessing, and it was not possible that encouragement from her should be long wanting. Timid, anxious, doubting as she was, it
was still impossible that such tenderness as hers should not, at times, hold out the strongest hope of success, though it remained for a later period to tell him the whole delightful and astonishing truth. His happiness in knowing himself to have been so long the beloved of such a heart, must have been great enough to warrant any strength of language in which he could clothe it to her or to himself; it must have been a delightful happiness. But there was happiness elsewhere which no description can reach. Let no one presume to give the feelings of a young woman on receiving the assurance of that affection of which she has scarcely allowed herself to entertain a hope.

Their own inclinations ascertained, there were no difficulties behind,
no drawback of poverty or parent.





PERSUASION

The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to "Miss A. E.--," was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily. While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also addressing her! On the contents of that letter depended all which this world could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied rather than suspense. Mrs. Musgrove had little arrangements of her own at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words:
"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in
F. W.
"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never." (volume II chapter XI)





And now here's my Valentine's poll. Cast your vote, then tell us all about your choice in your comment.  I can't vote but I want to tell you what I'd choose in the poll : Captain Wentworth's letter. Persuasion finale. Isn't it the most piercinlgy romantic letter ever written? But I also love Mr Knightley's sweet revelation of his feelings: "I cannot make speeches, Emma" ... Sweet,  indeed. Don't forget to add your e-mail address to have the chance to win the lovely gifts offered by Masha at Etsy: 1. Persuasion Set of Bookmarks 2. Pride and Prejudice Card  3. Henry Tilney  Bookmark.  The name of the winner will be announced on Wednesday 16th February. The giveaway is open worldwide.




35 comments:

lunarossa said...

I've chosen the Persuasion finale as well and without even thinking of Rupert Penry-Jones!!!!
Ciao. A.

Mary Simonsen said...

Lovely artwork, Masha. I also went with Persuasion. After all, they were separated for 8 years. Now that's true love. Mary Simonsen
quailcreekpub@hotmail.com.

Viola said...

Beautiful, Masha. I also like Persuasion. I like the idea of lost lovers being reunited - it's so romantic.
lisavetta7@gmail.com

Miss Laurie said...

Tender as are the other sentiments expressed, nothing can really rival the poignant letter penned by Captain Wentworth! And this video combining the two versions is lovely! I also just adore the proposal scene from Emma 2009, it's so well done!
I would love to be entered into the drawing! Ms. Laurence's items are beautiful! I especially like the Henry Tilney bookmark, the drawing is so much like I imagine darling Mr. Tilney of the novel to look like!
Thanks for this lovely post, I really enjoy it!

~Miss Laurie
OldFashionedCharming@gmail.com

Felicia said...

The bookmarks and cards are absolutely gorgeous!

I voted and as much as I love P&P and the ending there, Darcy hearing from his aunt and coming back to Netherfield is quite romantic. I had to vote Persuasion. Capt. Wentworth's letter.....swoon Very romantic!

Felicia
felicialso@gmail.com

C. Allyn Pierson said...

I vote for Persuasion, too. Regaining a lost love beats all. Carey
bligard@frontiernet.net

Julia said...

Persuasion for me too. All (except for Mansfield Park) make me swoon, but it's Persuasion's "pierce my soul" line that makes me weak in the knees.

Julia
jcd1013@yahoo.com

Jenny Allworthy said...

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever."

Can't be beaten, although I wavered for a moment thinking of Emma.

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am.--You hear nothing but truth from me."

Emma was close, but it will have to be Persuasion, and the best adaptation was with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. Sigh!

jennyallworthy at gmail dot com

Adriana Sales Zardini said...

The bookmarks are lovely! :)
I think the most romantic finale is Persuasion!
But, when I saw Emma (2009) I fall in love with Mr. Knightley again! :)

aszardini@gmail.com

Tonya said...

Thank you so much for this lovely offer the gifts are just beautiful. As intense and romantice as Persuasion is, my heart goes for Emma and Mr. Knightley as the best finale, the contact and emotion between the two appear to be so heartfelt. This would be a perfect Valentines gift for myself, Oh do I dare to dream.

tonyalr46@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

It has been difficult to decide but I think my favourite is P&P 95. So that's my vote :-).

conchisc3(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancy Kelley said...

Darcy is my favorite hero and I love the tension in the Emma finale, but my vote for most romantic definitely goes to Persuasion. "...a heart even more your own than when you nearly broke it eight and a half years ago..." It makes me cry every time.

I'd love to be entered in the drawing. nkelley.writes AT gmail DOT com.

Lúthien84 said...

I have to say the most romantic finale is Persuasion. It always gets me everytime especially this phrase: You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. I would say Captain Wentworth is definitely the most romantic hero compared to Darcy.

The least romantic ending would be Mansfield Park. Just reading the phrase makes it boring. Not enough emotion in it.

evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

watty08 said...

My favourite is definitely Emma and "I cannot make speehes..." I just love how it sums up the feelings of the two characters and all their heartache over the novel. It gives me goosebumps when I read it.

watty08hotmail.com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love them all, but Persuasion edges out the others. I mean with words like "You pierce my soul" written in a letter to a lover, how much more romantic can you get? Beautiful.

Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

Regina Jeffers said...

Persuasion for me also, but not the RPJ version. He is beautiful eye candy, but CW is my Captain Wentworth. I am using a series of short letters in my newest Åusten adaptation, and I wish that I could muster even half the passion that Jane Austen did in her simple letter.

Linda said...

I had to vote for Persuasion - truly it is the most romantic ending (because of the beautiful letter) - but I still love the story and the characters from Pride and Prejudice.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Elsina said...

I like them all, love Colin Firth's proposal, but my absolute favorite is Jeremy Northam's words in Emma (my vote)..." I rode through the rain! I'd - I'd ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you". Each time I hear it and see his eyes, gives me shivers! So sweet!

Trez said...

Mr. Darcy is by far my favorite male hero as is Pride and Prejudice my favorite JA novel. However, as far as the finale I would have to go with Persuasion and a close second would be Northanger Abbey. Even Emma is a bit more romantic when it comes to the finale.

Claudia said...

Without any doubts, the most romantic finale is from Persuasion! What could ever be more moving of Captain Wentworth who confesses his feelings to Anne Elliot after years of love and resentment? Nothing, I bet ;)

Lovely gifts, Masha! Thank you!

claudiagaggioli@virgilio.it

~ Babs ~ said...

I voted for P & P I love when Darcy ask Elizabeth the first to marry him and how shocked he seemed when she said no.

Great gifts.

Bhitwr at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Lovely lovely artwork!

I also voted for Persuasion, because....it makes me speechless and so in love with him...It is my favourite end, although I have to admit that Jane Austen's ends are...every single one...perfect^^

Thanks for this great giveaway!
otroscuentos@hotmail.es

Kelly said...

Lovely gifts!
I voted for Pride and Prejudice cause I'll always be in love with Mr Darcy :)
maniezkelly@gmail.com

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

For some reason it won't let me cast my vote (I tried eysterday too). Anyway, I absolutely vote for the Persuasion finale. That letter, I swoon every time!

avidreader25 [at] gmail [dot] com

Patricia said...

Persuasion without a doubt !

Grace said...

Yes, Persuasion is ardently, dramatically romantic, but I still cannot get past Emma! And Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time fav. as well!:)

Thanks for hosting! I cast my vote!

Sciencewithnature said...

I can just say WOW.

IPL 2018 live streaming websites

Mamta Balani said...

valentines day wishes
valentine wishes for friends
valentines day wishes for boyfriend
valentines day wishes for girlfriend

murz said...

Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes that will make the most important changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!check it out

John Mathew said...

This excellent website truly has all of the info I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. MTFX is the best foreign exchange service provider in Canada.

John Mathew said...

An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a coworker who was doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch because I discovered it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this issue here on your website. Visit here for more information about this website.

John Mathew said...

Your style is unique in comparison to other people I've read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this site. http://anuglarjsdevelopment.simplesite.com Check this best AngularJS development company in India.

John Mathew said...

I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something concerning this. https://fliphtml5.com/homepage/vzlvw Check this URL for more details.

Unknown said...

Do you need an urgent loan of any kind? Loans to liquidate debts or need to loan to improve your business have you been rejected by any other banks and financial institutions? Do you need a loan or a mortgage? This is the place to look, we are here to solve all your financial problems. We borrow money for the public. Need financial help with a bad credit in need of money. To pay for a commercial investment at a reasonable rate of 3%, let me use this method to inform you that we are providing reliable and helpful assistance and we will be ready to lend you. Contact us today by email: daveloganloanfirm@gmail.com Call/Text: +1(501)800-0690 And whatsapp: +1 (501) 214‑1395

NEED A LOAN?
Ask Me.

xzxsdca said...

The Best Apps and Games For Android ·أسعار الذهب اليوم Mod Apk Download