Category: Just for Fun

My fave P&P lines: Part 1

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I’ve been watching The Complete Jane Austen (PBS) lately, and Pride and Prejudice (or P&P as we say on the web) is showing this month.  IMHO this version (from 1995 w/ Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle) is one of the BEST TV shows/films!  Jane Eyre (2006) is pretty awesome too…  BTW- I learned a while back that Jennifer Ehle is an American (from NC, no less!!!) but trained as an actress in UK (just like Christopher Reeve). 

Here are some of my favorite lines from P&P:

“A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” -Lizzie after the fam 1st hears of Mr. Bingley arriving in their ‘hood

“…just be careful to make sure the man you fall in love with is rich!” -Lizzie jokes w/ Jane

“…my dear, they [your nerves] have been my constant companion these 20 years at least.” -Mr. Bennett to wife after Mrs. Bennett complains that he has no sympathy for her nerves- LOL!

“No!  You shall go on Nellie!” -Mrs. B. tells Jane she shall ride their old mare to Netherfield after Bingley’s sis invites her to dinner; the weather looks gloomy though!

“We  neither of us are willing to speak unless we are sure to amaze the entire room.”

-Lizzie to Mr. Darcy during their 1st dance

“Until there are enough [dance] partners to be found, we shall have to be philosphers.”

-Lizzie to her serious, bookish lil sis (Mary) at Lucas Lodge ball

“I have determined that only the deepest love will induce me to marry!” -Lizzie to Jane

“As for pride… where there is a real superiority of mind…” -Mr. Darcy to Lizzie re: his character

“…they [Lizzie’s eyes] were brightened by the exercise.” -Mr. D. to Caroline Bingley after Lizzie’s very long walk (3 miles!!!) to see a sick Jane at Netherfield

“Oh lord-  for he has threatened to dance with us all!” -Kitty to Lizzie re: Mr. Collins

“But before I am run away with emotion… let me state my reasons for marrying.” -Mr. C. to Lizzie in the (hilarious) proposal scene

To be continued next wk…

Things I Learned from Jane Austen… Part 2

EmmaLeave a comment

  1. Trees can be “touched with inimitable spirit.”  -Mr. Elton (What a nut!)
  2. “If a woman doubts, she ought to refuse” [a proposal]. –Emma Woodhouse
  3. A man “may talk sentimentally, but act rationally- he knows the value of a good income.” -Mr. Knightley
  4. “If you cannot think of anything polite to say, you shall restrict your remarks to the weather.” -Mrs. Dashwood
  5. A typical “morning call” (social visit) lasted less than 15 minutes.
  6. “When one’s in company all time [in a public place] it is impossible to form a just impression [of someone].”  -Jane Fairfax
  7. “What’s right to be done cannot be done too soon.” –Mr. Weston
  8. “What is the good of wealth and luxury where there is no true happiness?” –Mr. Frank Churchill
  9. “There is safety in reserve, but no attraction.  One cannot love a reserved person.” -Mr. Frank Churchill
  10. “All young people will have their little whims…” –Miss Taylor (AKA Mrs. Weston)
  11. “Houses go from father to son, not father to daughter.” –Miss Dashwood (AKA Elinor)
  12. “A set of Irish melodies- that betokens true affection…” –Mr. Frank Churchill
  13. Many counties are called “garden of England”- Surrey, Kent, Isham, etc.
  14. “You mustn’t be an enemy to every marriage.” –Mr. Weston
  15. Some guys are fun to spend time with, but “not necessary for [your] happiness.”
  16. Some couples are “made to stand up together” [on the dance floor].
  17. Strawberries- the finest fruit in England!
  18. Great men can be eccentric.
  19. “Men have eyes- they torment us enough.” –Capt. Tilney (LOL- What a lil playa!)

How Will I Know If He Really Loves Me (in Jane Austen’s world)

EmmaLeave a comment
  1. He asks your opinion about his house/grounds/etc.
  2. He tells you secrets about his family.
  3. He tells you nothing but the truth (even if it’s hard for you to hear).
  4. He wants you to improve your character (b/c men of sense do not want silly wives).
  5. He praises you to his family/friends/tenants/etc.
  6. He (secretly) helps your family out in a time of great trouble and takes no credit for it.
  7. He reads the books you suggested to him.
  8. He reads you poetry (with feeling).
  9. He dances with you (though he generally dislikes dancing).
  10. He buys you a horse.
  11. He writes you long letters.
  12. He puts you in a carriage when he sees you’re tired from a v. long walk.
  13. He says there is no one more capable than you (of handling a tough situation).
  14. He is concerned about the happiness of your lady friends.
  15. He brings your mother to see you when you have fallen ill.
  16. He (secretly) buys just-the-right-size pianoforte for your little house.
  17. He says he’ll live with you in your father’s house so the old man can be more comfortable.
  18. He rides through the rain to see you.
  19. He goes against the wishes of his family to be with you.
  20. He puts up with your (ill-mannered/unbalanced/scandalous) relatives.

  

Things I Learned from Jane Austen

EmmaLeave a comment
  1. Reading novels is quite harmless for a young lady.
  2. It is possible to read too many novels. 
  3. Taking long walks is an enjoyable pastime.
  4. You never know what fine gentleman you will meet during a long walk.
  5. Clergymen can be quite handsome and amiable.
  6. Clergymen can be quite irritating and judgmental.
  7. You do not need wealth or connections to marry well (but it sure doesn’t hurt!)
  8. There can be no happiness in marriage when one partner does not respect the other.
  9. Not all ladies are romantic- some just want a comfortable home.
  10. Some gentlemen have happy manners all the time.
  11. Some gentlemen do not perform for strangers.
  12. You were not made pretty for no reason (it can you get a rich husband).
  13. If you are tolerable-looking, do not be distressed. (You may land an even richer husband than your hotter sis/cousin/friend!)
  14. Some mothers can cast a bad reflection on their daughters. 
  15. Some fathers can be negligent in reprimanding their daughters’ wild behavior.
  16. Some fathers do not like it when people get married and go away.
  17. Those that are good-natured when they are children become good-natured adults.
  18. Do not discount your older, wiser, wealthier, and slightly cranky neighbor as a potential husband.
  19. Do not jump from high places (expecting the guy you’re crushing on to catch you.)
  20. Women do not forget men as soon men forget women.
  21. Women love on when all hope is lost.
  22. It is difficult to make accommodations suitable for ladies on a ship.
  23. Women do not all want to be in calm waters.
  24. Too much poetry can be dangerous (so encourage your depressed friends to include a little prose in their reading).
  25. In some matters, it is better to use one’s head.
  26. Reserve is preferred by some couples though they are in love.
  27. A lady does not have to hide her regard upon first meeting a gentleman.
  28. We were not all made to be handsome.
  29. Family connections are always worth preserving.
  30. Do not get engaged too young (because someone better might come along.)
  31. Do not forget your old love (because she may still be single in her late 20s.)
  32. Naval men can be the finest men in the whole of England.
  33. The navy brings persons of obscure birth into high positions.
  34. It may raise a few eyebrows if younger sisters are all out (in society) before the older sisters are married.
  35. It is unfair to deprive younger sisters of society just because the older ones haven’t found the right guy.
  36. A simple, artless girl is infinitely preferable to a self-absorbed and haughty one.
  37. A governess can also be a fine lady.
  38. Your sister can be your best friend.
  39. Your sister can be a pain in the ass.
  40. A young farmer’s house can have two good parlors.
  41. If you are poor, you can still be brought up in some style by wealthy family friends.
  42. There is one thing a man can always do- his duty.
  43. Accomplished young ladies know how to play the pianoforte; many also know how to draw and sing!
  44. You should not humiliate old friends (especially in public gatherings).
  45. You should not distress people with word puzzles.
  46. A man may praise one lady in public (but be secretly engaged to another).
  47. A man may look on you as a sister (because he’s secretly engaged).
  48. Do not say you will never be in love (because you never know…)
  49. After you refuse a gentleman, it might not be a good idea to take a tour of his grand house and estate.
  50. After you see your old flame in town, it may be a bad idea to go hanging around with another guy.
  51. If you can’t say what you really mean, just write a letter.
  52. Don’t try to match up people that have absolutely nothing in common.
  53. A woman without children is the best preserver of furniture.
  54. Some people like to see rank preserved.
  55. People with extensive grounds are always happy to meet other people with extensive grounds.
  56. Some gentlemen are equally happy in the city and in the country.
  57. Half-sisters are not real sisters, so you don’t have to give then any luxuries.
  58. A cottage can be very quaint.
  59. Not everyone enjoys the pleasures of Bath.
  60. When a naval officer has no wife, he is eager to be at sea.   
  61. You sometimes can’t reason with a man in love.
  62. Men always think any woman they ask to marry is ready to have them.
  63. If a man, who hardly ever dances, chooses you as a partner- it’s a big deal.
  64. In the East Indies, the air is full of spices.
  65. The Nile is in Abyssinia.
  66. Some girls like wildflowers better than those from the hothouse.
  67. Some girls hide nothing, while others reveal nothing (of their emotions).
  68. A “gentleman” is a guy that has enough money that he doesn’t have to work.
  69. The eldest son in the family gets everything.
  70. The younger son must find a living for himself, or marry well.
  71. It is cruel to separate two people who have formed an attachment.
  72. If you are lucky, the girl/guy you happen to fall for will be rich.
  73. It is not proper to talk to a stranger (though he’s a hottie) if you have not been introduced.
  74. Only engaged people hug and kiss.
  75. The more you see of the world, the more you’ll be dissatisfied with it.
  76. Ignorance and prejudice form no bar to creating the strongest opinions.
  77. Girls usually do not dance with other guys if they are engaged.
  78. Riding horses with a guy you like is v. romantic.
  79. If there is a real superiority of mind, then it’s okay to be proud.
  80. If you’re not officially engaged to a guy, don’t get your hopes up too high.