AUSTENESQUE EXTRAVAGANZA - TALKING MR DARCY

This post is part the Travelling Tuesday in the Austenesque Extravaganza at Meredith's Austenesque Reviews. Commenting here and leaving your e-mail address , you'll get a chance to win one of the prizes of the Amazing Austenesque Giveaway.

Mr Darcy is Jane Austen most beloved hero. What are the qualities that have made him a cult beyond time, the dream  man of so many  women?

In my "Talking Jane Austen with ... " sessions I have often asked  my guest authors to answer this question. Today I'm asking you, what makes him the iconic romantic hero he has become? What do you especially like in this character?

1. WHO IS MR DARCY IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Here is how he is introduced by Jane Austen on his first appearance at the Meryton Assembly:

“Mr Bingley was good looking and gentlemanlike;… but his friend Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr Bingley,…”

PERSONALITY

Mr Darcy’s temperament is analysed in comparison to Mr Bingley’s. This is how he is seen at the beginning of the novel .

“Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of a great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness, ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of  Darcy’s regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and on his judgement the highest opinion. In understanding Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, abd fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence”.

His strong temper, his self- confidence, his contempt for inferior social ranks are the result of his upbringing. (But we know he will change in the end!)

BACKGROUND

He has inherited his great estates five years before the story begins, at his father’s death. His patrimony amounts to ten thousand a year. He is of noble rank, since he is the grandson of an earl.

FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Mr Darcy lives at Pemberley, his magnificent residence with a huge park in Derbyshire, with his beloved younger sister, Georgiana. He is kind and protective to her, especially, since her great disappointment with Mr Wickham (do you remember? She was going to elope with him but her brother stopped her just in time!) Looking at his tender affection to sweet Georgiana, Elizabeth starts changing her mind on Darcy (or was it because of … Pemberley?)

IN LOVE WITH THE HEROINE: FIRST PROPOSAL 

Mr Darcy denies even to himself that he is attracted by Eliza Bennet and these are the first words referring to her he utters at Meryton, when asked by his friend Mr Bingley to dance with her: “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men…” . Elizabeth and Mr Darcy meet again at Netherfield, at Longbourn and at Rosings but nothing make her - or the reader - suspect he is in love. So his marriage proposal comes utterly unexpected and is definitely rejected. Elizabeth is offended by his words regarding her social inferiority and inadequacy. So , infuriated, she accuses Darcy of being the cause of her sister’s and her new friend Wickham’s unhappiness and refuses him as the last man on Earth she would ever accept to marry. Well, these are not exactly the words she uses…

(Have you ever seen my collage of the first proposals?)

... AND SECOND PROPOSAL

 Mr Darcy reveals himself generous, tender, honest, trustful and, little by little, Elizabeth comes to love him. Her “conversion” from contempt to love starts with the reading of Darcy’s letter revealing the truth about Wickham. Then, it goes on at Pemberley when she listens to Mrs Reynolds’s – the housekeeper – appreciating words for her kind master and especially after seeing his transformation into a loving caring brother to Georgiana. After discovering his involvement in the happy finale of her sister’s elopment with Wickham … she’s terribly ashamed for her wrong first impressions. Fortunately, there will be a greatly welcome second proposal…

Image by Laurel Ann at Austenprose

2. MR DARCY ACCORDING TO ...

Beth Pattillo (from What makes a man heroic? Beth Pattillo answers my questions)

"I love the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, because I think they both have to overcome a significant flaw in their character before they can appreciate the other. Darcy is perhaps the ultimate challenge for an Austen heroine"

Susan Adriani (from Talking Jane Austen with ... Susan Adriani )

"Mr. Darcy's manners may not be as engaging as Colonel Fitzwilliam's, Captain Wentworth's, or Henry Tilney's, but he is, without a doubt, the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome! While we are initially given to believe that he is proud, haughty, and aloof—we soon discover there is more to him than our initial impression. His quiet brooding lends him a very powerful and enigmatic presence, one that is all the more enticing once we learn how much of a gentleman Darcy truly is, and how brightly he burns for Elizabeth Bennet. The fact that he takes her reproofs to heart, and truly makes an effort to change his haughty ways so he could someday earn her good opinion, only sweetens the deal!"

Kara Louise  ( from Will a Modern Darcy do for you? Guestblog) 

"I think some of the traits of a modern day Darcy would be that he is refreshingly polite (a true gentleman), a man of integrity, a man with the right priorities, respectful, and one who is willing to listen to criticism and seeks to improve himself if needed".

Mary Lydon Simonsen ( from The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy - Interview) 

I think Darcy’s appeal is that he is not perfect. Better yet, he is a man capable of alteration. Because of Elizabeth’s rejection of his proposal, he recognizes his defects and makes the conscious decision to change his ways because he wants to be a man worthy of Elizabeth’s love. I had the same effect on my husband, except he didn’t have Darcy’s fortune

 Pamela Aidan (from Talking Jane Austen with ... Pamela Aidan)     

     When you say a “cult model hero,” we can only be talking about the popularity of Darcy post-1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice. Previous to that production, I think we’d be hard pressed to find evidence of Darcy as cult hero. It was that 1995 production in which Colin Firth interpreted Darcy to the world that started this Austen character on the road to wide-spread acclaim. The elements were all present or potentially so as Austen wrote them, of course. Every regency novel written after Austen owes its plot and characters to her story of initial antagonism between a man and woman of unequal status. But it was only after Firth’s portrayal of a Darcy that is vulnerable as well as proud, with a sense of humor and a real admiration of Elizabeth prior to the first proposal that this Austen character shot into the company of heroes. The later version, starring Matthew McFadyen continued, to some degree, this new interpretation of Darcy as more than a stiff poker tersely delivering set-downs to all and sundry.

Victoria Connelly (from Talking Jane Austen with ... Victoria Connelly) 

"I think Mr Darcy is a hero for all time because he isn’t afraid to admit to his mistakes. He’s also willing to change for the woman he loves and that’s irresistible! And he cares deeply for Elizabeth and does all he can to safeguard her and her family"

And now it's your turn! What makes Mr Darcy so special? 

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE JIGSAW PUZZLE - GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to Carolyn Eberhart for being my guest again and for granting you readers the chance to win her lovely gift commenting her post (HERE).

The winner of the Pride and Prejudice jigsaw puzzle is ...

JamieLi

Congratulations!!!

MY JANE AUSTEN WEEK - QUESTIONS - PART II

I had a task to complete and I haven't forgotten, of course. Here are the answers to questions 7-11 ( part  I , questions 1-6 HERE)  which were part of the "MY JANE AUSTEN WEEK" event at Elegance of Fashion. I had fun answering, I hope you'll have while reading. 

Top three Jane Austen Adaptations and why?

This is a very, very difficult one because I love them all. actually! However, I’ll try to pick up three (four?)

I love Sense and Sensibility 1995, the one who made Emma Thomson leave her first husband Kenneth Branagh and elope with Willoughby, I mean marry Greg Wise. It was my first Austen –adptation ever. Then I saw Pride and Prejudice 2005 at the cinema and from that moment on I started looking for any adaptation I could find on DVD.

So my number 1. Must be S&S 1995, number 2 P&P 2005 and number 3  ex equo the latest Sense and Sensibility (2008) and the latest Emma (2009). But of course, I loved watching P&P 1995, I couldn’t I?  I have seen Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (both ITV 2007) also. I don’t llike the series from the 70s and 80s that much.

Top Three Jane Austen characters that "take delight in vexing" you?

1.Mr Collins. Oh poor, Charlotte! Little lamb, what her life with him must have been!
2. Lady Catherine De Bourgh - Elizabeth must be admired especially for the way she faced her at the end of Pride and Prejudice. That unbearable woman! I know she has fans herself but I’m definitely not among them.

3. Mary Musgrove (née Elliot) – I couldn’t bear her for five minutes, Anne Elliot does that patiently all her life through!

from Austenesque Reviews fb page

Jane Austen Sequels... Do you like them or not?

I love them. I read and review them from time to time here on My Jane Austen Book Club. It’s a way to keep all those fabulous characters we love alive. I also like modernizations very much  and Austen-inspired  romances  (i.e. Beth Pattillo, Victoria Connelly, Cindy Jones)

Do you have a favorite spot to keep all your Jane Austen "stuff"?

Actually I have a virtual one, that is this blog dedicated to everything Austen, as well as a real one, an Austen /Austenesque shelf in my library.

Which Jane Austen character do you think you're most like?

I think I 've already said this one or twice somewhere on My Jane Austen Book Club .   I am Anne Elliot (except for "the bearing a clinging, over anxious sister like Mary" bit !)

 Take the Quiz here!

Now it's time to thank Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Elegance of Fashion for hosting such a beautiful blog party! It's been very nice to be part of it. Courtsey. Never enough Austen, agree? 

MY JANE AUSTEN WEEK - QUESTIONS - PART I

Elegance of Fashion has organized this great event, a blog party,  My Jane Austen Week  from August 7 / 13,  and I joined the Austenite lady host there with great pleasure. Part of the fun is answering an interview she prepared. Do you want to join us? Answer these questions on your blog and link to Elegance of Fashion. Here are my answers to questions 1 /6. I hope you'll enjoy them.  ( Part II coming soon. Stay tuned. )

What was your introduction to Jane Austen?

I was only 14 and  loved reading so much that …I was often reproached by my grandmother and grand-grandmother for wasting so much time with “those things under my nose”. Books!  My family didn’t own many of them and my mother didn’t have time to buy  me new ones, working all day long. My lovely aunt - we all have got  one, haven’t we?  – was my “pusher”. I borrowed from her all the books she had. So one day, among a pile of second-hand books to read, I got my first copy of Pride and Prejudice. I was so naive at that time that I went on believing Wickham was really charming until I read he got money from Mr Darcy to marry Lydia!

What is your favourite thing about Jane Austen? Why?

I love her incredibile wit, her smart use of words. Oh, to be able to communicate so humourosly and to the point! She is a master of irony and a talent in wit!

What are your top three favorite Jane Austen Novels and why?
    

     
     Persuasion is at the top of my list. Why? I really can’t say it. It was the last I read and it immediately became first in my heart. Maybe it is because I can feel for and sympathize with the heroine much deeply than in the other 5. A question of age?

    Emma comes second and for a totally different reason. I can’t sympathize with Emma Woodhouse. I feel I’d rather strangle her at times but … it is Austen’s masterpiece, I think. It’s definitely her best achievement in wit and style and characterization. If you feel Emma is so vividly real you want to strangle her, does that not mean that Austen achieved perfection?

     
   Sense and Sensibility is my number 3. Despite its flaws – in picturing all the male characters in depths except for Willoughby, for instance – I like it more than Pride and Prejudice. There’s so much of Jane’s life in that tale. Pretty much. She doesn’t want us to cry on her misfortunes and doesn’t do that herself either but… reading about Elinor and Marianne . can’t you feel all the anxiety and sorrow she and Cassandra must have felt after their father’s death, in their years in Bath? Well, that’s what happens to me.

Who are your top three favorite Jane Austen Heroines and why?

Well, I am Anne Elliot, a test says. I feel she is actually the one who resembles me more so…I love her. Then, incredibile but true,  among my best favourite there are the 2 heroines that differ from me the most: nosy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse (she can be so irritating and hilarious at the same time!) and sensitive, romantic Marianne Dashwood.

Who are your top three favorite Jane Austen Heroes and why?

Ah, there! Here we go! I definitely love Captain Wentworth. He is MY PERFECT HERO. His letter to Anne makes me shiver every time I read it. Then I love Mr Knightley, who is a real gentleman, one to marry at once! Last but not least, I’d love to have Henry Tilney as my partner to a ball. He is so intelligent and entertaining! P.S.Though I'm not blind and I can see Rupert Penry-Jones is definitely gorgeous, may I have my captain tall, dark, handsome and blue-eyed in the next Persuasion adaptation? Somewhat like this, for instance. No, not somewhat  like, just HIM, please.

Any honorable mentions for 3, 4, and 5?

I'd like to  mention someone else, but ...You only asked for “heroes”? Well, though honorable is NOT an attribute of his… What about a rogue, an anti-hero? Yes, just let me say, I have a real crush on … Mr Willoughby (God helps me!)

Check the other posts at Elegance of Fashion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR ANNE ELLIOT!

If you open Persuasion on its first page you get to know that its heroine, Anne Elliot was born on 9th August 1787. 

Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never failed. This was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:

                                                               ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.

"Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth, daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5, 1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."

I don't know how much Jane Austen knew about Astrology and Horoscope but ... Anne Elliot a  Leo? No way!  Read one of the Leo Profiles I've found on line:

You are a very ambitious person and want to rise to the top in the profession of your choice. You have been blessed with a strong personality, which can take you places if you so desire. You are logical in your approach to most things but sometimes you get so confused over the small issues. An extrovert, you have many friends and you are a good host. You learn to branch out on your own even if it turns out to be an expensive idea since you are ready to sacrifice much if it benefits in the long run. You are very much a materialistic person; you will find it difficult to do without worldly things. The picture you portray, however, is of the strong silent type. Your plus point is keeping a good relationship with those persons who could be of use to you in some way. You are self-opinionated person though you may behave otherwise. Sometimes you act very superficially and you yourself will not know why. You are quite power-hungry and given to vices any of which could cause you destruction both mentally and physically. You are an out-going person basically and have a wide circle of friends. You are a well-loved person since you speak attractively and have good manners. 

You can't tolerate your failures because you want to rule and you are impatient to reach that level. You don't let anyone come in the way of achieving power. You are brave and don't spend sleepless nights on major or minor worries provided you have been sincere and just. Basically an extrovert, you reach out to people in all walks of life. You are helpful to those in trouble and don't expect anything in return. To win your favor, it is wise to flatter you and this happens to you all the time but you won't notice it.

It doesn't sound anything like Anne to me!  Jokes apart, since I don't believe in Astrology much myself, today it's Anne's birthday. Happy birthday to my favourite Austen heroine! Jane Austen wrote in one of her letters that Anne was  "a heroine who is almost too good for me." Well, since she loved her impertinent Emma Woodhouse very much, it's obvious that being Anne rather the opposite, she couldn't be Jane's favourite heroine. However, she is mine. I loved for her being nothing but ordinary, or better I love for her being ... pretty much like me.

Read this post I dedicated to AnneElliot more than a year ago 

Join the celebrations on Elegance of Fashion

Do you believe in Astrology? Which sign do you believe Anne resembles more, instead?

CAROLYN EBERHART - LOVING JANE AUSTEN AND REGENCY PASTIMES. GUESTPOST AND GIVEAWAY

Hello dear readers ,

I'm Carolyn Eberhart. This is my second time at My Jane Austen Book Club . First I visited for one of Maria Grazia's "Talking Jane Austen with..." interviews (HERE) where I also talked about my novella published in the collection "A Darcy Christmas". (see picture on the left)

I was born on Valentine’s Day, so it is any wonder that I enjoy the classic stories of love and relationships written by Jane Austen.

I grew up in Michigan and currently live in central Virginia, near the homes of three presidents Jane may have heard about – Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.

I first read Jane Austen after the 1995 mini-series of Pride and Prejudice.  I watched the series at least once a week for months! I started writing my sequels back in 1996 after I read one of the few published sequels available at the time and found it wanting.  I like to fill in the parts of the story that Jane only hints at her writing.

Besides a day job, I have been on the committee of the Republic of Pemberley for many years, first as the Bits of Ivory hostess and currently on the Austenuations board for minor works and sequels.  I am also the membership chair for Virginia Romance Writers.

In my spare time, I enjoy trying recipes from an extensive cook book collection (I never met a cook book I didn’t like). October is the start of my “truffle season” where I make between 30-40 different varieties of hand rolled truffles for Christmas presents. I also enjoy making Regency inspired Barbie clothes.  

In fact, the theme of today's guestblog should be games and pastimes. And one of them we can date back to the 18th century is ...Jigsaw Puzzles!

Jigsaw puzzles began as a simple educational tool.  The first one was invented by Englishman John Spilsbury in the mid-1760s. Spilsbury attached a map to a piece of wood and then cut out each country with a marquetry saw.  Jane Austen may have used one in the schoolroom as they proved quite popular as a learning aid.  Puzzles as we know them were not developed until the mid-1800s.

John Spilsbury map puzzle (above).  Only two of Spilsbury's puzzles are known to exist. 

Regency Pub Puzzle (above).  Not a period piece but it shows the elaborate or fanciful shapes often used in older jigsaw puzzles.

GIVEAWAY TIME!   This is the puzzle I am giving away.  The puzzle scene is Darcy's first lamentable proposal to Elizabeth.  The puzzle box looks like a book, so you can store on your bookcase and tell friends you have a rare copy of the Jane Austen's "Jigsaw Puzzle".

The giveaway is open WORLDWIDE and ends on August 13th when the winner will be announced. Good luck, everyone. Comment this post, telling us what is your favourite game or pastime. Don't forget to add your e-mail address to be contacted by Maria Grazia.

Carolyn Eberhart

A PEMBERLEY MEDLEY BY ABIGAIL REYNOLDS - BOOK REVIEW

While reading Jane Austen, you know  that any passion or surge of desire will be strictly hidden behind the cold rules of propriety and decorum. Good manners rule  her world. But you also know that  a great deal of the Austen fan fiction that has been written and is still being  written is to compensate that  lack. Abigail Reynolds 's work is  a mine of thirilling sensations and steamy scenes. Her skillful narration make the reader shiver  and sigh at Mr Darcy’s unrestrainable passion. A PEMBERLEY MEDLEY  is a collection of five "what – if  " short stories, inspired by the characters and plot of Pride and Prejudice. A quick , totally enjoyable, romantic read!  

INTERMEZZO 

Georgiana overcomes her extraordinary shyness and makes up her mind to take part in the wedding party at Netherfield all alone.  Mr Bingley and his lovely bride, Jane Bennet, invited his brother, Fitzwilliam,  but he has been leading a solitary, melancholic life recently and refused to go there with an excuse. It is clear he’s suffering and desperately in love with a lady, but Georgiana doesn’t know who she is. She bravely face her timidity and, though she doesn’t know anybody there, she is at Netherfield to find that out and help her madly in love brother. Who is this  Elizabeth , whose name he once called out,  unaware she was listening? Is she already married? She must be, because if only her brother proposed, he wouldn't  be refused …

SUCH DIFFERING REPORTS

Charlotte Lucas may have married a foolish man but she is not easily fooled. She noticed Mr Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth and saw beyond his inexplicable  behaviour. Elizabeth should have known that, yet she ignores Charlotte more than once when her friend suggests that Mr. Darcy is partial to her. What would have happened if Elizabeth had believed her? The action in this story takes place between Hunsford Parsonage  and Lady Catherine De Bourgh’s residence at Rosings, with some key scenes in the grove.  Lots of delightful verbal skermishes between Elizabeth and Darcy filled with Austen unforgettable quotes. 

THE RULE OF REASON 


 Maybe it is because this is just an extract from a longer story, but I felt this is the weakest what-if scenario.  Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged to be married and deeply in love  with each other, Darcy's passion makes it difficult to be separated from Elizabeth even for a few hours. They are together at Pemberley, Elizabeth chaperonned by her aunt and uncle Gardiner, when  dramatic news come from Longbourn: Lydia has eloped with Wickham. Mr Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam joined the two lovers in search for a solution. What's Wickham's aim at doing this? Money or revenge? Suddenly the best option to fight against him seems to be to anticipate the marriage between the betrothed.     

(If you would read more of The Rule of Reason, you can find at www.lulu.com)


THE MOST NATURAL THING 


Elizabeth must be really desperate to break all the rules of decorum to visit alone Mr Darcy in his house in London. She must be totally out of control if she is ready to accept his proposal ,which she refused just a couple of weeks before. She needs her help and , if he accepts to help her, she will be his.  Lydia has eloped with Wickham, Mr Bennet died leaving the house to Mr Collins and his wife, Mr Collins wants to send Mrs Bennet and her daughters away  after the scandal. Will Darcy accept Elizabeth's proposal? 
This novella in three parts features a very hot Darcy, engaged in a passionate interlude  with an extremely compliant Elizabeth. 


A SUCCESSION OF RAIN  

I just love the great tension the author manages to create in this very short story, with very simple devices. My favourite one with the first, Intermezzo. Nothing worst that inclement weather conditions prevent the happiness of the loving couple. Mr Darcy feels the urge to speak with Elizabeth alone and to renew his proposal but ... the right occasion seems  never  to come. Then a new ball at Netherfield helps them to find their way to heavenly joy. 

What a flirt is Mr Darcy in these short stories as passionate and as dangerously sexy as you have ever dared to imagine. Abigail Reynolds wrote them in different moments of her writing career but decided to self-publish them in paperback and e-book format for her readers only now. Could I resist reading the book with my avatar (Portrait of Kitty Packe -nee Hart- by sir William Beeechey) on its cover? Many thanks to Abigail Reynolds for providing me the review copy.

A WIFE FOR MR DARCY BY MARY LYDON SIMONSEN - GIVEAWAY WINNER

Congratulation to JessyKay89 for winning Mary Lydon Simonsen's new Pride and Prejudice-inspired novel,  A WIFE FOR MR DARCY. Many thanks to Mary Lydon Simonsen for her thought-provoking guestpost, to Sourcebooks for granting you readers of My Jane austen Book Club this copy to giveaway and to all the kind readers who contributed to the discussion.