I already did a post the other day about the book Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler, but there’s something that still just really bothers me about that book. There’s a scene where Courtney/Jane has an encounter with Jane Austen, herself. The dialogue that follows just doesn’t get it for me. Courtney/Jane rambles and talks more about herself and her situation of being from the future, Jane Austen’s books being made into movies, etc. while Jane Austen responds, understandably so, as if the woman is crazy. I found the scene, which could have been the high point of the book, rather disappointing.
It got me thinking about what I would have said if I had met Jane. I think it would have went something like this…I would have worked out a proper introduction and then arranged to have tea with Jane Austen. Knowing she would be embarrassed about being found out, I would have brought up her works in a round about way and praised them to the high heavens, without letting on that I knew who she was. I would have expressed a strong desire that the author would write even more books…and quickly! I wouldn’t have mentioned being from the future. And, I would have asked her opinion about certain aspects of the books…Did she think Charlotte Lucas did the right thing by settling for marriage to Mr. Collins? Did Marrianne do the right thing in marrying Colonel Brandon based on respect, without passionate love? Did she think that Elizabeth and Darcey lived happily ever after, and what would she guess their names to be?! 
Now, it’s your turn! What would you have said if you time travelled back to then and had a chance to met Jane?
4 Comments
June 26, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I would ask her a few things. Here are a some examples. What is your favorite color? What is your favorite food? Who is your favorite artist? How do you feel about Rock and Roll and its effects on Western Civilization? What is the meaning of meaning?
Just for the record, I happen to know first hand that Jane Austin (the american spelling for her last name) does not like tea; she was a coffee and Dr. Pepper drinker.
Her are a couple more answers for ya; Charlotte Lucas did the right thing marrying Mr. Collins, she would have never found any one else to put up with her _ _ _ _.
Marianne did the right thing as well; any grown up can tell you that “passionate love” only exists in the world of leprechons and unicorns. Find a mate you can respect and a pizza joint you can be passionate about and your good to go. Thats life baby.
Lizzy and Darcey? Lizzy spent her life struggling with depression hooked on morphine and Darcey developed an abnormal desire to go number 2 in her britches which severley hampered her ability to find a life mate.
Cold Hard Facts for ya.
Don’t hate the messanger, hate the message.
Peace
June 26, 2008 at 7:53 pm
ROFLOL…I almost went #1 in my pants reading this!!! Too funny, Tim!!! FYI Darcey is “Mr. Darcey,” a male, and he and Elizabeth got married at the end of Pride & Prejudice.
Jamie
P.S. To my Jane Austen internet friends…before you get worked up over the sacrilegious nature of this comment…it is from my brother. A Jane Austen fan he’s not…but I love him anyway
and he has a wonderful sense of humor! It’s a sad day when the comment blows the post out of the water!!!
June 29, 2008 at 11:14 pm
You Are…Emma Woodhouse!
You are Emma Woodhouse of Emma! You like being the queen of your social circle (small and provincial as it may be), and feel it’s your duty to help those less influential than you. You often meddle in the affairs of others, though you do it with a pure heart. You are often deluded in your flights of fancy, but your good intentions and creative spirit make you someone anyone could like.
I took the quiz; I’m not sure I agree with these results.
What do you think Jay Jay; am I Emma?
June 30, 2008 at 9:45 am
Well Tim…Jane Austen doesn’t lie!
You have always been the center of social circles, you have a huge heart that wants to help and better others, and, you’re not afraid to voice your opinions to others in order to help and influence them. You do have good intentions and a creative spirit. And, you mock the ridiculous in others. I don’t think you’re deluded, though you can come up with wonderful schemes. The difference is, you are fully talented and capable enough to be successful at them. Yes, you are a bit like Emma…but you are really most of all…Tim…which is even better! Don’t worry, it could be worse…you could be a Mr. Collins!