Jane Austen Made Me Do It

I recently read a book that was quite delightful, Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart. As most of us know, Jane Austen's stories are beloved by many still today. Several authors have tried to capture the brilliance of her work with their own versions or additional stories that add on to the books. (In fact I recommend, Mr. Darcy's Daughters, by Elizabeth Aston as one of the best ones I have read.) However, this book puts together a collection of short stories from several different Jane Austen writers. I will say that in my opinion a couple were boring and there were a few that I really loved. I have recently returned my copy to the Phoenix public library, who currently only has one copy available with others on order.

I hope that everyone had a Happy Christmas and remember to do as a true SPEBLite would do this New Year, celebrate and enjoy life. Keep reading!

Masterpiece Contemporary

"The stories we love best do live in us forever so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." J.K. Rowling

Being a huge Harry Potter fan, I am ecstatic about two new movies that will be on PBS Masterpiece Contemporary. Both have several Harry Potter actors in them, which should help ease the pain of not having new movies to look forward to.
The first is...
PAGE EIGHT.
The Synopsis is as follows. What happens when spies grow older in a post-9/11 world? Sixty-something MI-5 agent Johnny Worricker has amassed an impressive art collection, an amicable collection of ex-wives, and a droll, unflappable relationship with the work he enjoys alongside his boss and best friend, MI5 chief Benedict Baron. But when Benedict brings to light damning evidence of British complicity with illegal American torture operations, it falls to Johnny to do the right thing. And the right thing, in this morally ambiguous new era, is unclear — as unclear as the motives of Johnny's neighbor, Nancy, who draws Johnny in with her sad beauty and a secret of her own.
The movie stars: Bill Nighy (Rufus Scrimgeour), Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort). If you are not a Harry Potter fan (um..you should be...no seriously you should), the movie also stars Rachel Weisz ( and Felicity Jones (Northanger Abbey). It will premiere November 6th at 9 p.m. on channel 8 (PBS) for those of you in Phoenix.

The second is...
THE SONG OF LUNCH.
The synopsis is as follows. When a middling copy editor/failed poet meets his former lover for lunch 15 years after their affair, he finds that everything — and nothing — has changed. From the tablecloths to the wine to his former lover, wealth and success now gloss the surface where kitsch and passion once held sway. He is bitter, petulant and increasingly inebriated; she is glamorous, generous, and eventually provoked. It is dramatization of Christopher Reid's acclaimed narrative poem, The Song of Lunch.
The movie stars: Emma Thompson (Professor Trelawney, aka Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility) and Alan Rickman (Snape, aka Col. Brandon in Sense and Sensibility). This will premiere November 13th at 9 p.m. on channel 8 (PBS) for those of you in Phoenix.

I have not seen either of these and cannot tell you if they are good. However with the cast for each of them it looks very promising. Also remember that these are Masterpiece Contemporary shows so do not expect men in breeches.


None of these =====>>>>

:(

Holidays are coming

Holidays (the non-vacation type) are a time for family, fun and Christmas music. Family can come for these events and some might overstay their welcome. If you find that you might need to get rid of some unwanted guests, here are some helpful hints.

"Lydia was occasionally a visitor there, when her husband was gone to enjoy himself in London or Bath; and with the Bingleys they both of them frequently staid so long, that even Bingley's good humour was overcome, and be procceeded so far as to talk of giving them a hint to be gone." Pride and Prejudice

It has been said that fish and guest stink after three days. You might be more generous than that with company that you really enjoy. However, if it is that is not the case, and you are uncomfortable with them staying longer than three days, here are some helpful tips to nudge them out the door.

*Give them a hint. Sometimes this is enough, but most of the time it will just be ignored. If so, you must be prepared to escalate hostilities.

*Stop the party. Do not provide any enjoyable activities. No balls, no shooting, no amateur theatricals. They will go elsewhere in search of a good time.

*Go away yourself. Come up with an engagement of your own that takes you away from home. They can hardly expect to stay if you are not there.

*Frighten them away. Tell them that there is a putrid fever in the house. this is especially effective if the guests have children with them.

*Use a middleman. Why should you do the dirty work? Get someone else to inform the guest that they must leave in the morning. Put their bags in the trunk and be done with it.

If you are able to rid your household of unwanted guests, you will leave your guest bedroom open for the welcome guests like...

How to Indicate Interest in a Gentleman without seeming forward

Well single ladies of SPEBL, you should have by now scouted out an appropriate gentleman to marry, using the tips from the previous post. If you have still not read that post, please proceed to that one now and give yourself a week to choose a gentleman. For those of you who have chosen a suitable gentleman, we will now proceed in how to show him you are interested.

Miss Bingley: "I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I mend pens remarkably well."
Mr. Darcy: "Thank you- but I always mend my own."
-Pride and Prejudice

Communication amongst unmarried persons of the opposite sex can be difficult to decipher in most cases. Though it might seem easy to just tell a gentleman of your feelings, i.e. you think he is attractive or charming, many believe that it is the duty of the gentleman to begin the courtship. A woman may assist the gentleman in nine out of ten cases by showing more affection than she feels, because a man might not realize she is interested in him otherwise. Beware though, a woman does not want to risk her reputation by being too forward with her affections. These are some gentle ways to help the man you are pursuing realize you are interested.

1. Flatter his vanity. A rather easy task as most men will be flattered if you just feign interest in what they are saying. In some cases though you will have to hang out his every word, and express admiration for everything he does. Ladies, you might also need to agree with what he has said, though you do not agree with him. A hard feat for some women.



2. Talk about him to his relatives and friends. Women do not always have contact with a gentleman's relatives, but if you do, take advantage of the situation and praise him. They might take the hint of your adoration for him and tell him. This is also true of friends, especially if they like to tease one another.

3. Offer to perform little services for him. Loaning a book might lead to your books being settled on his bookcase.

4. Ask him if he would like to go "stargazing". Everyone knows what this means. (If he doesn't, rethink your decision to pursue him.)



5. Keep your cool. Even if he has sat by the same girl the last three weeks during church, do not let him know that you care. Tease him about her and see if you might wish him joy in the near future.



6. Mirror his actions. If he is reading a book, pick up another volume. If he is going to play a game, see if you may be on his team. If he is hanging back from the crowd, set yourself away as well.

7. Find him irresistible. You will become so yourself and once you are, he will pursue you.

Try these out and see how the chosen gentleman will rush to your side.

How to Choose a Prospective Husband!!

Since some members of The Society for the Promotion of Elegant British Literature are still single at this time (also since no one seems interested in the previous two Jane Austen Handbook posts), I decided it might be a good time to discuss this very important decision.

"Tell Mary that I make over Mr. Heartley & all of his Estate to her for her sole use and Benefit in the future, & not only him but all my other Admirers into the bargain wherever she can find them, even the kiss which C. Powlett wanted to give me, as I mean to confine myself in future to Mr. Tom Lefroy, for whom I do not care sixpence." Jane Austen

(Now we know the real reason that Jane would want to confine herself to Mr. Tom Lefroy, he has a striking resemblance to James McAvoy, and I do not know many women who would turn him down.)



Choosing a husband should be done so with the utmost consideration because once you are married you are in fact stuck with him. (This is especially true when you marry a rich man with a fancy estate, he will of course control the fortune. And let's face it, no girl sets her sights on a poor man.) The following questions should be asked honestly in an attempt to go into the match with eyes wide open.

Does he have a good income?
A little economy is good, but not at the expense of the elegant things in life.

Does he have good principles?
Bad boys are fun for little flirtations, as a lady must keep in practice, but do not marry someone whom you will need to change. This will not happen. Find a good man and treasure him.

Is he handsome?
He should be or at least close to handsome. (Remember that the large fortune and estates of these men can in fact increase their handsomeness.)



Is he a sensible man?
Do not marry a silly or stupid man. Then your neighbors will be making sport of you not the other way around. If he turns out to be silly, hopefully he is easily controlled, so you can almost always avoid his company.

Does he have a sense of humour?
Being laughed at is part of life. You will need to help him learn. A man with no sense of humour will be complemented by a woman who is lively, this will be a point of interest to him. And hopefully she will be able to make him be less boring.

Does he love you?
Reasons for not marrying a man include, he is in want of your fortune or position, he feels an obligation toward you or because of an infatuation that will pass. If you marry for these reasons the marriage will be intolerable.

Do you love him?
The most important question of all. Things will only make you happy for a little while, you will be happiest if you love him. If he is a good man, and has made you love him then your chance for a happy marriage is very good indeed.

How to Buy Clothing

"I shall want two colored gowns for the summer, for my pink one will not do more than clear me from Steventon. I shall not trouble you, however, to get more than one of them, and that is to be a plain brown cambric muslin, for morning wear; the other, which is to be a very pretty yellow and white cloud, I mean to buy in Bath."
Jane Austen January 25, 1801

Buying new clothing is a process and can depend on one's income when it come to choosing one's clothes for each season. Fashions change constantly and one would not want to look out of fashion when out in society. When preparing there are a few things that must be considered.
First it is important to take inventory of what one already has. This will help determine what must be added to make it through the season.
Second, do research. Look at stylish publications to see what is being worn. Anyone who has recently been to London, will have a better idea of what is in fashion. Having the wrong cut of sleeve or bodice could be your downfall, as you might be considered too country. Also identify a fashionable way to trim your bonnet, as this would also be a social blunder.
Third, one can acquire patterns. If a friend of yours has a wonderful dress, you may always ask to make a patter of it. Cut out pieces of fabric and baste them together, to use in the future on your own gowns.



Fourth, purchase fabric. You should always purchase 7 to 10 yards of the fabric. The more delightful the fabric the more you will want, as it can be used to make accessories for your gown, like handkerchiefs and caps or to update other gowns. Make sure you choose a trimming that will enhance the gown. Only allow others to choose fabric for you if you trust their opinion, otherwise you might end up in something terribly out of fashion.
Fifth, consult a professional. Take all patterns or ideas to a professional along with your fabric, she will be able to create a dress just for you in no time.
Sixth, renew and recycle. When consulting your wardrobe, always identify what gowns can be worn again. They might need a new trimming or a new colour but they can be updated.


Seventh, accessorize. In some cases all that needs to be done is to reline or purchase a new pelisse. Accessories will brighten a wardrobe and may hide any wear of older gowns.

The Jane Austen Handbook

A couple of years ago, I purchased the book entitled "The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World" by Margaret C. Sullivan. It has been a wonderful experience reading through the book and learning how to become more like Jane Austen.
Many people question why Jane Austen is important to the world today, she died a couple hundred years ago. Well the answer is this, as eloquently put by Margaret Sullivan,

"How to explain the sheer tingling joy one experiences when two interesting, complex, and occasionally aggravating characters have at last settled their misunderstandings and will live happily ever after, no matter what travails life might throw in their path, because Jane Austen said they will, and that's that? How to describe the exhilaration of being caught up in an unknown but glamorous world of balls and gowns and rides in open carriages with handsome young men? How to explain that the best part of Jane Austen's world is that sudden recognition that the characters are just like you?"

Each Austenite has felt this overwhelming recognition. The characteristics of every character can be seen in people in our world today. Think about your life, is there a Mr. Collins and Mary Bennett wandering through in a daze? What about a Charlotte Lucas or Miss Tilney, best friend and confidante to each of us? Or someone that enters our world and then leaves us picking up the pieces after their betrayal, like Mr. Elliott, Wickham and Frank Churchill? Overbearing parents, jealous siblings? Loving parents and generous siblings? Or the heroine or hero in each of us? All can be found in a Jane Austen book, and in each of our own lives.
Yes maybe we should not get too involved with books, as Catherine Morland did in Northanger Abbey. But there is in a fact a way to live our lives and enjoy a good novel. Jane Austen's books are witty, and fun. And though some books were written over two hundred years ago, they are indeed still relevant to each of us.

As a result I will be sharing relevant information on this blog on how to become more like Jane. Topics covered will include how to ride a sidesaddle, how to treat the sick, how to decline an unwanted proposal of marriage and how to play at cards.
To start however, the topic will be How to Become an Accomplished Lady.

"It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.... They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished." -Pride and Prejudice

To be well-bred, women much have accomplishments that will attract men. The key to choosing these accomplishments is that they will in fact not be very useful, apart from attracting men. More than likely these accomplishments will only come from practice and study. A practice and study that must be rigorous until the day of marriage. Any slacking off will result in spinsterhood. Accomplishments that a woman must have include: studying several languages, having a basic grasp of history and geography, becoming a proficient musician, drawing or painting, mastering the art of needlework and learning to dance gracefully.
Ms. Sullivan tells us how each of us can become more accomplished in each of these areas.


"Study several languages. Become well-versed in French, certainly, and Italian, so you can read music and translate love songs. There is no need to learn Latin or Greek however-you'll be thought a bluestocking."
(A bluestocking, is an educated, intellectual woman. Until the late 18th century, the term had referred to learned people of both sexes. However it subsequently was applied primarily to intellectual women, and the French equivalent bas bleu had a similar connotation. The term later developed negative implications, and in some instances such women were stereotyped as being "frumpy"."


"Acquire a basic grasp of geography and history. One need only concentrate on the fundamentals in formal study, but if you want to learn more , the books in your father's library will provide an opportunity to do so."







"Become a proficient musician. A lady who can sing and play upon the pianoforte, or better yet, the harp, will always attract a husband, because he'll think she will be able to entertain him and his guests in the evenings. Many women give up music entirely once they are married but fortunately the gentlemen never seem to catch on."





"Draw or paint the picturesque. Pencil drawing and watercolor painting are ladylike endeavors. Choose picturesque subjects for your art...Concentrate on the ruins (the more tumbledown the better); dead trees; and rough or rustic landscapes. If no picturesque elements are present in real life, add them from your imagination."






"Master the art of needlework. To be an accomplished woman, you must know how to do fancy needlework as well as the mundane aspects of sewing for the family, even though you contract out the vast majority of the utilitarian work once you are married. A married woman's primary sewing tasks are to make her husband's shirts and cravats and to the family mending. When company is present, she will display impressive embroidery and decorative needle arts."





"Learn to dance gracefully. The ballroom is the center of a young lady's life. When you are not dancing at balls you will no doubt be longing for the opportunity. Practive with your sisters until you are officially "out"."





For a Gentleman to become educated, he will need a formal education in Latin and Greek, mathematics, history and literature. Young male heirs, those who would inherit great estates, will need to take "grand tours", one to five year trips to the Continent, where they would learn languages, absorb cultures and acquire objets d'art. Apprenticeships are available for men destined for professions.