When you think about all
the love gestures, poured as words, in every romantic novel ever written, there
is everything else and then there is this letter written by Captain Frederick
Wentworth to Anne Elliot. The letter from Jane Austen’s book Persuasion, that,
when I first time read, did unspeakable things to my gut till my soul. I could
actually and deeply feel the beautiful words as I could feel rain. I knew in
that moment that it will be Jane Austen’s contribution to English literature
that will be my example for “par excellence”.
Speaking of the times in
the 18th century, when female writers were not allowed to publish books in
their own names, I felt Jane Austen wrote about female characters who were ahead
of their times. Just thinking about it makes my gut churn out of annoyance, but it is a fact that during the century, female writers had to have
a male representative for publishing their books, hence all her books published
while she was alive, were anonymous. And yet, Jane’s female protagonists were
courageous to speak their minds and stand for themselves. Remember when
Elizabeth Bennett fearlessly refused the ridiculous marriage proposal she was offered
in Pride and Prejudice. And conversation between Anne and a male friend (in Persuasion).
As he tells her that how all books, songs and proverbs talk on woman’s
fickleness and inconstancy, to which she very calmly replies “weren’t these all
written by men”. Her exact words being “Men have had every advantage of us in
telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree;
the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.” She
ends the conversation saying, “all the privilege I claim for my own sex, is
that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone!” Just wow!!!!
I will fall short of
words if I start describing the astounding male characters of Jane’s books. I
have read, re-read her books, watched and re-watched her movie adaptations and I
fall for them, their words, their actions, every single time. Be it Fitzwilliam
Darcy (Mr. Darcy) from Pride and Prejudice, Frederick Wentworth from Persuasion
or George Knightley in Emma, Jane Austen’s words had given the characters such romantic
contours and sparkling charms that I cannot help but fall for these characters
who are fictional. Jane’s precise timing of the principal (male) characters’
specific words, gestures and actions makes me wonder “can he be any better”. Romance,
so beautifully crafted, it gives me goosebumps and butterflies in stomach. The
passion between the protagonists, the tension, the confusions, the hidden and
unacknowledged romantic connections and the strong yet uncertain emotions, all
these overwhelm me. The curves of “will they end up together” or “won’t they
end up together” inching towards the climax, feels like an exciting, emotional
roller coaster ride to me. And she captures the helplessness of someone fallen
in love, so beautifully, you simply fall for the characters.
Jane Austen also has one
most sought out endings, common in most of her books, “happy endings”. She
proves that a book to be called as classic, doesn’t necessarily means should
have a tragic end.
Jane Austen is one of my
reasons I prefer female writers (English) over males. Sadly, she died at a very
young age of 41. Most of her work was acclaimed after her transition. Two of
her books were published posthumously. Some of her books still remain
unfinished. Unfortunately, most of her fame came after her. Today, we have
numerous adaptations (movies, plays, books) on Jane Austen’s work and I
sincerely follow all of those. But somehow I feel that just 6 novels from her
were just not enough for us.
Ending on one of the most
loved love confessions of all times. Because if you mention Jane Austen, you
have to acknowledge Pride and Prejudice. These words soaked in love, from Mr.
Darcy to Lizzie, are my all-time favorite. “My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from
you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have
to tell you, you have bewitched me, body and soul and I love...I love... I love
you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on”.
See, how can you not fall for a character who says these words and the
author who wrote these characters J
Forever,
A Jane Austen Admirer
To know more about the blogger Niharika Chaturvedi, visit www.niharikachaturvedi.com.
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