Top Posts 2020
Top Ten Posts in 2020
In keeping with the theme of gratitude, we’re starting the year with a quick look back over the good things from last year. I bring you
Top Random Bits of Fascination Posts in 2020
- The Shocking Lyrics of Lavender’s Blue
- Wedding Dresses in Jane Austen’s World
- Making Chocolate the Regency Way
- Providing for Young Ladies’ Future in Jane Austen’s World
- To be an Officer and a Gentleman
- Joining the Gentry
- Making Introductions
- A Touch of Quill and Ink
- Scandal Sheets and Gossip Columns
- Wedding Ceremonies in Jane Austen’s World
I was especially grateful for all these posts but #8 really fascinated me. I loved watching how they prepared feathers to become quills. That really made the scene with Caroline wanting to trim/mend Darcy’s pen really ridiculous. Each person would mend their pen to their own specifications and the way they hold it and how they wanted the point to hold the ink and the size of the line they made. Wow! Who knew? Number 7 was interesting and I know everyone was trained from an early age on how to behave and to make introductions. I don’t think I could do it today. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and healthy.
I read so many blogs I cannot select a favorite. I do appreciate all the research you must put into your work. You amaze me and at times I can’t keep up. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge with us.
Reading through these I had many JAFF and Regency situations come to mind that now do not ring true. One thing that can’t be exaggerated though, is just how easy it was to fall into genteel poverty. The other situation that kept going ‘ding ding ding’ in my head was the HUGE disparity between Darcy and the Bennets. Really, even when reading about paper (!!) I was hit by how fairy tale-like Pride & Prejudice is. I always hate when non-JAFF critics, in one blanket statement will call P&P a fairy tale. I always assume they mean Darcy being the Prince Charming kinda guy swooping in and rescuing the Fair Maiden Elizabeth. And there’s that too. Oh but if they ever read all of the histories of the time…so easily digested in these offerings of yours Maria, and… from lots of blogs out there devoted to Jane’s time, they would be shocked at how right they are. Of course I’ll never give up on Darcy and Elizabeth. Truly, this is the first time this has really come home to me. I’ve read hundreds of JAFF books, I hope to be able to read hundreds more. But boy, the social gap was ginormous, wasn’t it. The things we think are rude and unfairly said in P&P are actually quite true. Lady Catherine, even that b____ Caroline Bingley.
I always was really squeamishly embarrassed when Mrs. Bennet says: “I remember a time when I liked a red coat myself very well–indeed, so I do still at my heart……” (take THAT, Mr. B.) Eeww. I also knew how dangerous that was to say that in front of Lydia and Kitty. But I cringe even more now when I think of that. Has anyone ever discussed just what kind of expectations each Bennet parent had for their children, realistically? We know Mrs. B thought Jane deserved a very rich gentleman, even titled. Lydia, with her beauty deserved a title and riches. The rest of them in her opinion? Lizzy deserved Mr. Collins of course. I just deleted three lines when I went off on THAT tangent. Realistically again, what were the prospects for the girls there in that area. And don’t get me started on Mr. Bennet. Let me see, new book or tutor for Mary’s piano. New book, or lessons for Kitty and Lydia. New book or….. You can say that you want your children valued for what they are and not a dowry, but what can they possibly be valued for unless you get the buyer to look at the goods and you can protect the older girls who have a chance from the younger ‘silliest girls in the kingdom.’
We’ve asked our hyothetically available Jane what she was trying to do in her works, again and again. Everyone has an opinion on that, from JAFF newbie to learned Austen scholar, breaking down every aspect of her novel P&P. I’ve been pretty opinionated myself. But now I want to know. Fairy tale or novel of the times, i.e., “these times, they be a’changin'”