The
tribute
As I indulge and
fall in love all over again with the novels of Jane Austen, it actually struck
me that it might take me about 1 month before I am able to write another
post. Since as I have already beaten myself
up last time for my lack of assiduity, I decided I might as well start this
double or triple entry right away.
Now as I last
mentioned, summer for me is the time of year where I just love reading or
rereading classic literature. To many
others, summer means heat, vacation by the beach or the swimming pool and
usually goes hand in hand with light reading, such as mystery novels or teen literature
and even romance novels. But as I’m in
the habit of taking my summer vacation later in the fall, classic literature always seems like a good idea. After all, who wouldn't appreciate to read a Tolstoy’s
or Pasternak’s novel, set in the Siberian winter when it is 100 degrees
outside and all you want is a little freshness?
Just kidding J
Back to being
serious, a classic is by definition always popular and in my opinion can be read
by anybody at anytime. As for myself, I
always get a period when I feel that I miss classic literature: whether it is
the prose, the stories or some of its most marking heroes, lovers or villains. And since I always want to start either with
something I know, something that moves me or makes me feel utterly happy, Jane
Austen never disappoints for she’s got all of the above.
As to why her
novels make such an impression on me, the reason is always changing and evolving. All I can say right now is that, she's one of the
first female novelist that I know of whom, along with Ann Radcliffe or the
Bronte sisters, has been able to “live by her pen”. As she also puts forward the stories of women
who decided to brave the established social convention and follow their own
ideals, Jane Austen is nothing if not a fine connoisseur of human nature, including at times it stupidity. Whether it be Emma who does not wish to
marry, Elizabeth Bennet who only wishes to marry a man she will truly and
deeply love and respect or Elinor and Marianne Dashwood who although opposite
to each other in character, will keep being true to themselves and move toward
what they each believe to be the “perfect love”, Jane Austen finds the winning
recipe in her characters, going deep into their psyche, knowing all they feel
or fear and eventually linking all this to how they interact with their
relations and how these acquaintances develop into lasting relationship of
friendship or love.
So do not be
mistaken for although Jane Austen wrote mainly about women and their view on
marriage and love, she is far from being girly.
Her novels are more about the people and how they connect than about the
love stories themselves.
Do not forget
that this was England in the 18th and 19th century and
that different times called for different customs. Meaning marriage was the quintessential achievement for every woman, more so if she married well. So it is no wonder that Jane Austen is all about the wedding.
As I still have
to go through Emma and Mansfield Park, this entry will have to
do for the moment. As to why the hell
did I keep the two longest novels for last, well let’s just say it is a
question of preference rather than common sense. But more on that next time J
As
always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there. Let
me know what you’re reading or how you found it. Who knows, you might
inspire me my next great read. For the time
being, I am returning to Emma in hope
of soon finding my way through Mansfield
Park.
Until
next time
Ladybug
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