Happy Extravaganza! First Impressions Giveaway

In honor of the Austenesque Extravaganza and my collaborators on yesterday's Roguish Rout, I'm pleased to be able to offer a copy of First Impressions: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice to a randomly selected person leaving their email in the Comments section of this post. Anyone who has done so as well as commenting on yesterday's post, or those of Monica Fairview and Diana Birchall, will receive an additional entry. This giveaway is international and will be open until 23:59 EST September 30th. If you are interested in Second Glances (which I have great hopes of publishing before the end of the year) but have not read First Impressions, here is your opportunity to catch up. Happy Extravaganza!

Austenesque Extravaganza: Ruminations on Rogues

What a pleasure participate in the 2nd Austenesque Extravaganza! Last year I revealed some of my more crazy imaginings (read it here), and regular followers will know I have been unable to relinquish the whimsy, reviving it in the Mixed Up Mashup madness in which I have lately indulged. This year I have had the honor of collaborating with two Austenesque writers that I have long admired: Diana Birchall (read my review of Mrs. Elton in America) and Monica Fairview (read my review of The Darcy Cousins). To work with such accomplished ladies is a special treat, and I am sure to be riding the wave of my excitement for several weeks to come.

As a topic for this "Traveling Tuesday" we easily agreed on the rewards and punishments dolled out to Austen's rogues.  Diana led the conversation, and it is her thoughts that I will provide you with today. I carried the torch next, and poor Monica has my typically long-winded and rambling reply posted on her blog. She wraps up the discussion on Diana's blog. Concluding each post you will find four questions, to which we have each responded (the answers belong to the person whose blog you are visiting, not the guest). Please share with us your answers. It will be particularly interesting to see if your replies change as you consider each author's thoughts. You will find my responses immediately following Diana's musings. 

In the name of context, I will begin by providing the initial questions which sparked our conversation: 

How does Jane Austen define a villain? For example, is Lydia a villain? Can people like Mr. Collins and even Mrs. Bennet be seen as villains? Where do we draw the line?

Does Jane Austen pass moral judgements on her characters? What is the worse "sin" a character can commit? Stupidity? Snobbery? Defying social norms?

Is Jane Austen sexist in the sense that she tends to punish her female villains more than her male villains?

Diana's thoughts:

Ooo, good questions.

How does Jane Austen define a villain?  Hmm...Well, I think the main quality her villains have in common is that they are, in no particular order, self serving, self centered, and selfish, regardless of the impact on other people's lives.

Most people will agree that some of the worst villains in Austen include General Tilney, Wickham, Willoughby, Mrs. Norris, Lucy Steele, and Lady Catherine, all of whom epitomize the view that the world revolves exclusively around their own interests, and whose actions harm others.

Others may have odious personalities (Mr.Collins, Mrs. Elton), have unintentionally adverse effects on the lives of others (both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet), or such poor judgment that they cause harm to others and themselves, sometimes through the follies of youth (Lydia, Marianne, Tom Bertram).  Such people can be a menace, but they are not examples of what Jane Austen herself describes when writing about Lucy:

"The whole of Lucy's behaviour in the affair, and the prosperity which crowned it, therefore, may be held forth as a most encouraging instance of what an earnest, an unceasing attention to self-interest, however its progress may be apparently obstructed, will do in securing every advantage of fortune, with no other sacrifice than that of time and conscience."

If Jane Austen tends to punish her female misbehavers more severely than the male ones, I don't think it is sexist of her, but simply a realistic reflection of the imbalances of her day.  She even addresses the question in Mansfield Park, when she says:

"That punishment, the public punishment of disgrace, should in a just measure attend his share of the offence is, we know, not one of the barriers which society gives to virtue. In this world the penalty is less equal than could be wished; but without presuming to look forward to a juster appointment hereafter, we may fairly consider a man of sense, like Henry Crawford, to be providing for himself no small portion of vexation and regret..."

That is surely a full-throated feminist statement if ever there was one!

So, who do you think are the worst villains, and why?

The conversation continues at Monica's Blog: monicafairview.blogspot.com

Follow up question:

1. Who do you think was punished most severely?

Sir Thomas Bertram. Misguided he might have been, but he is the father in Austen who tried the hardest to do right by his children, and few of her characters ever feel their own failings so acutely.

2. Who do you think gets let off most easily?

Hands down, Lucy Steele. I refer you to the quotation Diana cited above.

3. Do you think the women get a worse punishment than the men?

Yes, but as I argue on Monica's blog, the discrimination lies entirely with society, which Austen realistically depicts.

4. If you got to rewrite the ending of any of the novels, who would you choose to punish and why?

Edmund Bertram for being inexcusably oblivious. He does not deserve Fanny.

So what do you think? There may be benefits to leaving a response. Check back here tomorrow to find out!

A Mixed Up Mashup Introduction

Thing 1: It is has been to my great sorrow that I have no more mashups to write (find out what I speak of here). Bonnets and Broomsticks was a one time lark, and Northanger Abbey has not adaptations enough to make such an endeavor worthwhile, my prejudices entirely in favor of the 2007 cast.

Thing 2: As I struggle to reinvent this blog to fit my new lifestyle, the one Austen related activity I have ample time for remains daydreaming while pushing my daughter's stroller about the neighborhood, a magical place I call Austenland (for those who have no notion what I speak of, check out my contribution to Austenesque Extravaganza 2011.)

So why not make use of the resources at my disposal? I propose a Mixed Up Mashup, where my favorite actors in each role portray the crazy ramblings of my imagination.  In order to proceed on this notion, a few necessities must first be addressed. When I did the mashups, I failed to find images of all my choices, and as I am too lazy to edit the original posts, I will simply fill in the holes (that I can) here. Presenting missing characters from ...

Emma

Raymond Adamson as Mr. Weston:

Robert East as Frank Chruchill:

John Fredenburgh as John Knightley:

Meg Gleed as Isabella Knightley:

Mollie Sugden as Mrs. Goddard:

Persuasion

Basil Dignam as Sir Walter Elliot:

Morag Hood as Mary Musgrove:

Valerie Gearon as Elizabeth Elliot:

Judy Cornwell & Roger Hammond as Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove:

Robert Glenister as Captain Harville:

Sense and Sensibility

Annie Leon as Mrs. Jennings:

More to follow soon!

Images:

Emma

http://sharetv.org/shows/emma_uk_1972/cast/mr_weston
http://sharetv.org/shows/emma_uk_1972/cast/frank_churchill
http://marspeach.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/emma-2009-review/

http://sharetv.org/shows/emma_uk_1972/cast/isabella_knightley
http://sharetv.org/shows/emma_uk_1972/cast/mrs_goddard


Persuasion
http://marspeach.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/persuasion-1971-review/
http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2012/06/persuasion-comparison-part-2.html
http://robertglenister.livejournal.com/1389.html


Sense and Sensibility
http://marspeach.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/sense-and-sensibility-1981-review/

Austen in Walking Land

Burghley House - Rosings Park 2005

How wonderful to be included in the Austenesque Extravaganza, hosted by Austenesque Reviews! Thank you so much, Meredith, for both allowing me to participate and also for kindly scheduling me at the end of the month, giving me a few extra weeks to adapt to new motherhood. I have tried to switch back into my normal Austen/Austenesque obsessed state, but right not even dear Jane can garner my attention: life is all about baby. So as the month kicked off and I still had no notion what this post would be about, I had good reason to fear that my offering would be pitiful indeed. Instead, I found a delightful new method of incorporating Austen into my life! It is my pleasure to be able to invite you to join my wonderful daughter and I as we take our morning walk through the neighborhood - a seemingly magical place where all of Austen's characters reside in close proximity to each other, regardless of geographical boundaries. One just steps out my door and proceeds southwest to encounter the sprawling grounds of Rosings Park (Lady Catherine is so kind as to provide common land). We can pursue the very paths which Elizabeth explored while visiting in Kent. I believe I might even have identified the grove in which Mr. Darcy gives her his letter. It is not long before the house itself comes in sight. We walk along the park's handsome gate, the numerous chimneys, certainly connected to impressive chimney-pieces, casting shadows across our path. Several carriages. To the right of the house, Hunsford Parsonage comes into sight. We pass directly by Mr. Collins' book room, from where he can see all the comings and goings at the Park. As we turn the corner and stop to admire his gardening skills (such healthful exercise!), we can spot the window of Mrs. Collins' backward facing parlor.

Groombridge Place - Longbourn 2005

Remarkable to discover that on the very next corner the county of Devonshire is to be found! Nevertheless, there is Barton Cottage, right down to the casement windows which Sir John favors speaking through to waiting at the door. Though an orderly house, the grounds are highly picturesque, and I can see the Dashwood ladies making themselves perfectly comfortable in it. For some unknown reason, Mrs. Dashwood's improvements have included painting the facade blue, a poor choice I fear. The ladies are in good company, for as we proceed here is Longbourn on our left. Though the park is small, there is the "prettyish kind of a little wilderness" to one side. Maybe someday we will be allowed to explore it in search of the hermitage Mrs. Bennet recommends to Lady Catherine.

Sheldon Manor - Uppercross 2007

While the presence of Devonshire and Hertfordshire on the very same block might be disconcerting, it is highly orderly that Somersetshire adjourn the former. Conveniently, here on our right, we find the Great House at Uppercross, with its "high walls, great gates, and old trees," while almost directly across the way lies the Cottage, complete with veranda and French windows. Directly passed this modernized edifice we again skip counties (please ignore the presence of Tara on our left, as it is not relevant), landing squarely in Surrey. The younger Musgrove branch has amiable neighbors in the residents at Randalls, who in turn couldn't be more happily situated than precisely where they are, directly behind Hartfield. That house has also undergone improvement, for Mr. Woodhouse was so concerned about the ordeal his horses endured each time they journeyed forth to Randalls that he relocated the sweep drive onto his own grounds, thereby saving them all the trouble. Across the street lies Donwell Abbey, which I must say is my favorite of all the homes, "rambling and irregular" though it be, especially when compared with the orderliness Hartfield. The view is particularly breathtaking, as it overlooks sprawling park land.

Broughton Castle - Donwell Abbey 1995 (ITV)

Not unlike the Royal Crescent in Bath, in that they loop around adjacent park land, we have arrived at a strip of particularly fine houses, in which some of our most affluent characters reside. After Hartfield and Donwell we encounter Norland Park (Marianne will be pleased to know that despite the improvements enacted by her brother, there are still ample quantities of leaves to admire, all of which are sure to die in time). Next we pass Kellynch, so fashionably situated. Everything, by the way, looks ship shape under the Crofts' stewardship, as might be expected. Then comes Netherfield Hall, rounding out this impressive address. We are left to traverse a comparative social wasteland. Lovely houses abound, but none are of any import but Rosings, which we are again passing on our right (whether or not the presence of Rosings actually does anything to rectify the social void is an issue that will not here be addressed). Eventually, we find ourselves at Fullerton, fronted by a perfect hill for the children to roll down. Soon we turn right, but before we do let us look southeast, for one can just make out Northanger Abbey. It is worth investigating, but considerably out of our way. If you should ever venture in that direction, be sure to note the windows. Yes, they are indeed disappointingly modern in their functionality, but the form is unquestionably Gothic.

Kirby Hall - Mansfield Park 1999

We proceed along into the orderly village of Mansfield. Here is the Park on our left, nice and tidy. Almost immediately to its right you see the parsonage. Note the evergreens. Farther along, also on the left, we come upon Mrs. Norris' White House - just one spare room for a friend. Here is a surprise, for this is surely the Elton's parsonage on our right, instantly recognizable by the sharpness of the corner upon which it stands. Very gentlemanly, if a bit showy. Perhaps we have entered into a clerical neighborhood, for here a block up we find Woodston. Mr. Tilney must have his capable hands full, for in the smaller homes across the street one must surely find the Price's Portsmouth home, and there, above the shop on the corner, is the house where the Bates' reside.  I am sure Miss Bates and Mrs. Tilney are great friends.

If one were to head North from here and continue for quite a distance, one might happen upon Pemberley. Little Girl and I have not yet ventured so far, and sometimes I wonder if we ever shall or even should. We have driven by, of course, and ache to get a closer glimpse. The house is spectacularly magnificent, so much we can ascertain, and the knowledge that an exploration of its grounds could only surpass our expectations is a wonderful assurance to have, but I still hesitate to undertake the journey. Pemberley, perhaps, should not be so much a concrete location as a place of dreams. Besides, the Darcys can always visit Longbourn or Netherfield. Maybe we'll even cross their path one day.

Montacute House - Cleveland 1995

We turn right, and right again, in order to start the walk back towards home. As we proceed we pass Cleveland, identifiable due to the presence of the pagoda, which sits just across the street from Combe Magna (it seems Mrs. Palmer was more correct in her estimation regarding the distance between these two estates than was her husband). We are almost back at Rosings, but before we reach it we must stop and admire the house that stands directly behind it. A stone building, situated in the old style upon a sheltered grove, it is almost eclipsed by the flashiness of Rosings until one pauses to examine the place. The slopping lawns are unadorned but still beautiful, and while the house can boast only a reasonable number of chimneys and windows, the wealth of the proprietor can nevertheless be perceived in the tasteful elegance of the property. This is Tegginton, seat of the Stratton family and future home to one of the heroines in my next novel Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues. I will not reveal anymore on that subject now, except to remark that the hero's association with Lady Catherine should be not be held against him, and to confess that the baby and I spend a great deal of time in contemplation of this house, which we find very much to our liking. It is time to return home now and have our morning nap. Thank you for joining us on out walk! We do it everyday the weather allows and are always happy to enjoy the company of Janeites, so please consider this an open invitation to accompany us whenever your imagination allows. 

Don't forget that every time you comment on any post related to the Extravaganza, you have another opportunity to enter the Amazing Austenesque Giveaway! Do you ever dream that the homes in your neighborhood house characters from your favorite books? Do you think the Crofts would find Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood to be desirable neighbors? Or for that matter, how would Mr. Knightley deal with this couple on a daily basis? I think he might have a very decided opinion about Mr. Dashwoods intention to enclose the parkland, don't you?

Images:
Burghley House - http://www.hha.org.uk/Property/223/Burghley-House
Groombridge Place - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/170963

Sheldon Manor - http://drmikesheldon.org/Gen/genresources04.html
Broughton Castle - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/7472910/Jane-Austens-England.html?image=11
Kirby Hall - http://felicelog.blogspot.com/2010/07/mansfield-park-1999-photo-gallery.html
Montacute House - http://www.talktalk.co.uk/travel/features/silver_screen.html

Austenesque Extravaganza at Austenesque Reviews

I'm so pleased to finally be able to tell you all about the spectacular event being planned by one of my very favorite bloggers, Meredith of Austenesque Reviews. Austenesque Extravaganza is a "month long celebration of Austenesque novels and writers ... each day of the week will have a different theme and event, like a weekly twitter party with several Austenesque authors." Meredith has lined up nearly 50 writers to participate in this unique event, including myself, and it is sure to be a fabulous blog tour. The party starts in August, so mark your calenders. You won't want to miss this one!

http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/coming-soonaustenesque-extravaganza.html