Oh, no worries. I'm always delayed with answering messages! I've actually sat down right now to answer some that have been waiting for me!
First let me say-- I really regret posting that blog post. Why? Well, it's true that haste makes waste. I was too quick in posting it and feel now that I didn't convey my point adequately. But anyway. I understand where you're coming from with thinking that "singling out Austen as being the subject of a 'craze' is unfair." I would feel the same about The High Kings or Les Miz. But what I do not understand, basically, is WHY Austen is so popular. Don't get me wrong, the stories are nice, the Regency culture is intriguing... I, for one, absolutely adore Lizzy Bennet (oh, to be like Lizzy!)... but I just do not understand why Austen is so special, and when so many people's reverence for her began. But I'm learning it's just me and my family who feel this way. I like Jane Austen-- I just don't understand WHY she's been made so popular, since I can't find the "tragedy" and power and super-incredible-ness in her works as so many do. She's witty, yes... but you know when the minute something catches your interest, and you're like "oh wow, I love this!" and you can't get enough? It's like a great song you heard for the first time, adored instantly, and had to hop on Youtube right then and there and hear it again, loud and exhilarating as it flows through your earbuds. And then you sing it 24/7, maybe even in your sleep. <--- Yeah. I just have never felt that way about Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice.
Speaking of "tragedy". Please know that I do not need tragedy in every fictional story. That is ridiculous. And I am also fully aware that guys, in real life, aren't swash buckling and giving their lives at guillotines as they do in the fictional world. That also would be an utterly ridiculous notion if I did. I was :simply and only: comparing those sorts of stories and characters to average, not as interesting (to me) characters such as Darcy and Knightly.
HA-- I think I'm needing to post an "enter Mr. Darcy part 2". Why? Because as I read the book, I am indeed realizing that he has much more of a personality than he's portrayed to have in the films. I had someone refute me on my blog about saying he has no personality, and I stand corrected. I have also come to realize, in the case of Austen "heroes", that they are (Mr. Darcy at least... and Col. Brandon...) heroes of every day life. No guillotines. No swashbuckling adventures. They're just regular Joe's who show good, honorable character. That's how I am beginning to view them, though I still prefer heroes that show the same character while simultaneously performing massive, awesome deeds like Sir Percy and Sydney Carton. It's just a matter of preference.You said: "They're men of principle, if not men of action. And while I do love action heroes, I think in this day and age, the cream of the crop of 'Regency gentlemen' cannot be discarded". I amen that. And of course, I keep in mind that while fictional heroes can be compared and mirrored with real life men, they ARE indeed only fictional. But it is quite interesting to compare them anyway. Which brings to mind... do all these Mr. Darcy-crazy females realize he's :not real:? He may be ideal, to them, and a sublime example of guy in everyday situations with honor and nobility, but do they realize that, UH, he. is. not. REAL?
As far as the girls wanting to marry their own Mr. Darcy's... I've seen some sorry cases. I think it's part of the reason why I've become so contrary.
I'm sure you probably can't understand :my: infatuation with something like Les Miserables. Well, not only does the play have a fabulous, heart stopping score, but the men in Les Miz are exactly the kind of men I like. I hope this doesn't, however, make you perceive that I approve only of guys who climb barricades, kill in battle, ride off on jarring cliff sides in pursuit of their enemies; exceptionally rough and violent men, or something of that insane sort. Because I very much approve of those regular, every day Joe's who can show honor and character without being the typical *outwardly* valiant-- and yes, swashbuckling (it's a fun word ) men that I compare to the tea drinking, coat-tailed, gloved-handed men of Austen.
So you see, it's a personal thing. But I am still befuddled over the thrill of Austen in general. Again, her stories are sweet and timeless, but I just feel the vibe. You know, the hearing-a-song-for-the-first-time-ever-and-falling-head-over-heels-for-it-that -very instant deal. I guess it's just that when it comes to fictional heroes my girly-girl side shows through, and I picture a soldier, a guy in a three cornered hat, a guy with a flag around his waist, a guy on horseback, a guy with a saber at his side. Not Mr. Darcy. Get what I mean?
-anna
14 comments:
I understand what you meant in part 1 a lot better now! You express your point very well, and I largely agree with you - or at least understand where you're coming from :)
It is partly due to personal preference, and although I see the appeal - indeed very much so! - of heroes such as Sir Percy, who makes those such as Austen's Mr. Knightley seem very dull, I suppose you have to learn to appreciate them for what they are, which is something quite different, but nevertheless equally worthy of admiration :)
I for one, adore Austen, but there are other authors etc. that people have raved about that I've liked, and really wanted to love, and felt bad about not 'getting it' like everyone else did. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but it's hard sometimes to not feel bad for having a different opinion to the vast majority.
I'm not entirely sure why Austen is SO popular, but I would encourage you to give some of her others works - either through book or film - a go if you haven't already :)
By the way: I can't blame you for not exactly being endeared to Austen by some of her *ahem* crazier fans. I really dislike it when people say the only reason women like Jane Austen is because they want a Mr. Darcy of there own. So. Not. True! At least not in most cases, but that's a rant for another day :')
~Abby
Anna, I must say, I do agree with you. I have heard it said that you either love Jane Austen or you hate her, but I don't think that's true. I really enjoy her books, but I'm not utterly obsessed with everything Austen. I never really did get the infatuation with things that weren't even written by Austen. But apparently, there are entire sections in book stores for this kind of thing.
I am a fan of her actual works, though, and I'm glad to see yo have an open mind. I wouldn't dream of trying to convert you to the "dark side" of the world of Austen, but I can appreciate that you are at least trying to understand the mind of a crazed fan.
Also, I don't think it's entirely a "Jane Austen thing". I have seen that most teenage girls are COMPLETELY. BOY CRAZY. I never really understood that, either. Maybe that's why Austen is so popular, because these girls can read about men who are perfect in every way. Rich, young, Handsome, and a gentleman. Plus the clothes totally rock! ha ha!
I would also like to point out that it is my opinion that Pride and Prejudice was not her best work. I found Darcy's attitude in public to be totally unrealistic and WAY annoying, and Lizzie's stubbornness 'till the very end simply torture. And her brainless sisters and mother! GAH!!!!! Actually, the only people I did like were Jane and Bingly, and even Jane had her moments. I spent the whole book going "What messed up world do you live on that makes you have such perfect images of everyone?! Does your balloon ever land, lady?!"
I thought Sense and Sensibility was MUCH better, but most don't agree with me.
I can tell that you are a girl after my own heart. I much prefer stories with a little more adventure, and several sword fights in them. But I can also appreciate Jane Austen's style. She wrote more of the every-day lives and worries that she herself saw every day. {except in Northanger Abbey, where she basically made open fun of the gothic novel that was popular at the time}
Like you said, it's a personal thing, though I agree with you that some people take it a little too personal.
If you thought Pride and Prejudice needed a little more adventure, I'd try "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". I really liked it, though you may want to research it before you read it. It was pretty graphic, with lots of Gore. I know a lot of people don't go for any of that. But I got a good giggle out of it.
For example, when Lizzie walks all the way to the Bingly Estate to care for Jane{who, contrary to popular belief, was not caught in the rain, but was, in fact, attacked by a pack of the undead}
she is intercepted by a couple of zombies, and has to fight them off, which is why she shows up with her hem six inches dirty. hee hee.
Just a little "end of summer" reading suggestion. :)
I think why Jane Austen(and authors like her) is so popular is because her books are descent,unlike some modern authors.
Haha, I get what you mean now :) As it is a matter of personal preference, I might disagree somewhat, but I totally get that Austen isn't quite your "type". Admittedly, I love a good swasbuckling romance too ;)
Anna, Thank you for sharing this - THIS is the explanation we've been waiting for! :)
Ahh this was very good. I was never able to understand my self what made Austen's heroes different. But now that you say they are "heroes of everyday life". I think that that is what makes them so popular. Every girl want to marry a hero of some kind. These heroes are the ones we are probably more likely to meet. As you said they "show good, honorable character". I think that is what I want some one with a good character and honorable principles, and who would stick to those principles. You have verbalized for me what I could not express, and much better than I could ever express!
I am not sure why Austen is so popular. I think part of it is that she is a female writer who was secsessful in a time when women who wrote books where looked down on..?
I like the heroic hero who saves the girl. and sword fights. Robin Hood comes to mind as an example. But I think Austen provides a balance between the Robin Hood hero, and the more ordinary hero. I think it give balance.
I have truly enjoyed your Darcy post. They provide a different perspective that I might never have thought of. It is good to see all sides to story.
~Elizabeth
Although I did not join in on the first post, I did want to pop in and say that you expressed yourself very well in this one. :)
I can't say that I 'adore' Austen, but I think that she was an amazing person, if you read her real life story. When she published her first book, which I believe was S&S, she was horrified that it became so popular so quickly. She didn't want fame and tons of adoration. So, in that sense, being a writer myself, I guess I appreciate her humbleness.
Unfortunately in todays world of trying to learn to be a 'homemaker' and 'keep your heart pure' etc (which is all good), we girls tend to let our hearts be led astray by these wonderful characters in books that are, like you said, NOT REAL. We watch romance movies, or romantic/sad tragedies, etc that just don't apply to our world as we live in now.
I know so many girls who give their hearts away to characters in books and movies and forget to look around them in their dream and realize that it is just that: a dream. Men now-a-days are just not what they were back in Austen's time. Yet, I think, we girls are longing for that gentlemanly behaviour, the romantic setting of balls, etc, that we pine away for that instead of getting realistic and accepting things for what they are, and appreciating them as well.
I used to always say that I 'loved Mr. Darcy'... but, come to think of it, I couldn't really give you any huge reasons except that I like his stout, honest, trustworthy character and wish we had more men like him.
Thanks for doing this post! I hope I made sense in my comment... haha, I understand about not conveying myself the way I would mean to!
In Him,
Sarah
Your posts have made me laugh.. :)
What I am getting from what you are saying is that you prefer the "fairy tale hero" to the "Austen hero"... And that is ok!!! But it is equally ok if others prefer the less "swashbuckling" type... I used to be the type of girl that got literally mad if I was talking to someone about Austen or classic literature in general and they didn't like it as much as me... Don't get like that... It creates a very annoying type of person... :)
I think another reason her works have endured and flourished over the ages is that people are starting to realize just how revolutionary her writing was at the time... Her style is quite modern and yet has a classic feel to it... So I think her style in addition to her stories are why her works are so popular...
Very good post, SA2. Expresses my feelings 'zactly. Austen is much more realistic than some of the other more swashbuckling stories...and so I think that's the appeal. Like I said in the email, I'm writing a post on this myself (or wrote, rather...) and so I'll save the looooong explanation for there.
In short, while Austen's more realistic, give me a swashbuckler and love at first sight any day. :-) Totally unrealistic? Um, YES. Totally fun? Um, YES!!!!! :-)
I think you can like something and not be totally obsessed with it. I believe the popularity is due in part to the romance and time in which all jane Austin's novels take place, it may not be just characters that people are focused on. more probably coming from the idea of the story as a whole. I know many women young and older who dream of there Mr Darcy that includes my sisters, he never appealed to me personally but thats just personal preference I guess. I do believe women have a romantic part of them whither hidden or openly shown, that is validated by stories such as these, to be loved and cared for in the most tender way possible, by a person who can be simple yet possess great quantities of undying affection for you and only you is at the heart of every women why would Jane write them in the first place if not to in some small obscure way show her hidden dreams. when I read any of Jane's novels I have noticed a common thread of story the main character, a woman finding true love through hardships, mostly relating to those of the society of the day. she was telling what she dreamt about all her life, and I ting that is why he novels are time tested the reader sees it as from the heart and it strikes a chord with there own feelings of life and the dreams they hold. And to feel connected by this common heart cry is I believe where all the ''hype'' comes from. Don't feel badly about not feeling the same way about Her novels than most of the population do, probably in the obsessed category, I didn't like pride and prejudice at all I more enjoyed her other novels. northerner abby was my favorite the main character is more like me that any other of Jane's characters.
thanks for sharing how you feel its great to know I'm not alone on the Mr Darcy thing..
Rachel Hope
I've observed it a lot - it's sort of the same way with Mr. Darcy as it is with Jane Austen in general - you either get it, or you don't; and that's just the end of the story. ;-) It's not something to be talked into or out of ...it's just a thing.
P.S. I don't like the 2005 Mr. Darcy. >.<
I like the Mr. Darcy type quite a lot but that is a personal preference. I completely agree with you about those "I want to marry Mr. Darcy" girls.
I like your your sisters blogs quite a bit, I've been reading them for awhile and this is the first time I've commented. I agree with you in a lot of what you say.
Eleni
Interesting article. :) Personally, I like Mr. Darcy as a character, but I like other fictional men as well (the BBC's Robin Hood, Mr. Thornton, and such). I like the characters. To me, they are believable, *real* men: men of character and worth, which isn't seen all that often. Even the Austen characters without much in the way of values are believable to me. Update a few traits and you have the modern male or female. ;) I'm also a big fan of Austen's work, and I've read almost her entire "canon" of books (and I relate a lot to Lizzy) - but what I share with you is that as much as the books and films are beloved to me like old friends, I do not understand when people turn respecting and appreciating Austen's work and her life-like characters into some sort of worship. I like the costumes in the films. I like the acting in most cases. I like the writing in the novels (it's just witty enough to be charming, and has just enough dialog to be interesting). I like the "3-dimensional" book characters: but I think some of the craziness over Mr. Darcy is more lust-driven than anything else.
Truthfully, I think that for the times, Elizabeth Gaskell is a better writer than Austen, and Austen definitely doesn't have a monopoly on believable characters, either. :)
quite interesting. I adore this movie, and I adore Mr. Darcy; and I agree I first thought he had no personality, but he's Mr. Darcy for goodness sakes! He can have no personality but still be great anyways, because Austen made him be the good guy in the end, as well as fall in love with Lizzy. As for Austen being considered the best? I think she's thought of that way because of who she was, how she was viewed, and her life in general. Not only that but her novels are incredible.
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