JABA Tag

I'm a little late on this, but here are my answers for the JABA Tag. You can also find this tag at Old-Fashioned Charm for the Jane Austen Birthday Assembly



1. How did you meet Jane Austen?
I have an entire post about it here.

2. In which order did you first become acquainted with and read Jane Austen's novels?
As is the case with many Jane Austen fans, my first Jane Austen novel was Pride and Prejudice when I was a sophomore in high school (I actually read it a year before I had to read it for school. Made all those pop quizzes on Pride and Prejudice very easy indeed!). Then it was Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and then Persuasion. I'm currently, very slowly going through Mansfield Park.

3. Rate Jane Austen's major novels from your most favorite to your least favorite and tell why.
Well, I can't rank Mansfield Park (though I am liking it exceedingly well! Northanger Abbey may have some competition for that 3rd place spot!), so I'll just rank the novels I have read.

• Pride and Prejudice -- Pride and Prejudice is my most favorite for a couple of reasons: a) it was the first Jane Austen novel I read and b) I was able to relate to Elizabeth Bennet so much. Before Pride and Prejudice, I hadn't read a book that I had related to so much.
• Sense and Sensibility --I really like how Jane Austen warns about the consequences of being overly romantic, which is opposite to many novels today. Many of today's novels emphasize "what your heart is saying" while ignoring what your common sense is saying. Jane Austen shows that you can't ignore what your common sense is telling you.
• Northanger Abbey -- I really liked Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney. Catherine was so sweet and Henry Tilney was funny.
• Emma -- I didn't dislike Emma, but I didn't like it as much as the other three above. While I was reading Emma, there were times that I was weary with it (or Emma's character). Though I did grow to like Emma well enough. And Mr. Knightley was really good.
• Persuasion -- Persuasion is definitely not my favorite Jane Austen novel. I found it slow moving. I did like Anne Elliot, but I just couldn't like Captain Wentworth all that much. There were multiple times I thought he treated Anne unjustly. I know he was still hurt that she called off the engagement, but it just seemed like he was going out of his way to hurt her.

4. Which Jane Austen hero/heroine couple is your favorite and why?
As if you all couldn't guess! Heh heh! Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy since they are my two favorite characters in Jane Austen's books. Though Mr. Darcy was a bit of a jerk during the first half of Pride and Prejudice, he does improve. He also saved the Bennets from Lydia's scandal even though he wasn't sure about how Elizabeth felt about him at that point.

5. Which hero/heroine couple is your least favorite and why?
Probably Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot. Not that I dislike Anne Elliot (she was a fine character and I liked her well enough), but I just could not like Captain Wentworth. I pretty much explained it in question #3.

6. Have you read any of Jane Austen's Juvenilia works? Which ones?
Unless her short story The Beautiful Cassandra counts, then no.

7. If you could change the name of one of Jane Austen's characters who would it be and why?
I don't think I could change anyone's name.

8. Have you ever introduced someone to Jane Austen?
I did tell my one friend in my English class about Pride and Prejudice before we had to read it. If that counts?

9. If a new film about her life was made, which actress would you want to play Jane Austen?
Not sure. I wouldn't mind seeing Jennifer Ehle as Jane Austen. I think she could pull it off just going off of her performance as Elizabeth Bennet. I think she would do a good job portraying a older Jane Austen that is witty, humorous, sparkling, etc.

10. Pretend you're having a weekend party at your very own country house, which Austen characters (up to five) would you invite and why?
Only 5?

• Elizabeth Bennet -- Just because I'd like to meet her
• Marianne Dashwood -- She can provide musical entertainment
• Emma Woodhouse -- I could ask her advice if there's a lull in the party
• Sir William Lucas -- He'll get everyone to dance!
• Mr. Bingley -- He's a good conversation starter

And, of course, if they wanted to bring guests, I'd be most happy to receive them.

11. In your real life have you ever attended a Jane Austen themed event, party or ball? Or have you hosted one yourself?
I have not... I would like to attend one day, though.

12. Suppose you were given the opportunity to ask Jane Austen two questions: one in connection with her real life and one about her stories. What would they be?
Real Life Question: What did you and Cassandra like to do for fun?
Story Question: Would you have ever written any sequels to your books?

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 God Bless,