SarahC’s Comments (group member since Jul 22, 2007)

SarahC’s comments from the Jane Austen group.

I have posted the last sections for our reading discussion. Again, I am sorry I have delayed the postings. I feel this point, I will not be able to rejoin the discussion. Some real-life ups and downs have continued, and, as of yesterday, some health problems of my mother-in-law have worsened -- she has broken her hip.

I would like to carry out some of the ideas I had in some small things to celebrate the commemorative Austen 2017 year and to celebrate our group especially. I love this group and it is a great comfort to me in all days, not just difficult ones. So I will keep shooting for some special things, just not to be in the next coming weeks.

This section concludes the Mansfield Park discussion.

ends with Fanny still in Portsmouth; Henry has left Portsmouth; Fanny receives letters from Edmund about Mary and from Lady Bertram about Tom's serious illness

ends with Sir Thomas hoping to remedy Fanny's proposal situation by sending her with her brother William to Portsmouth (before he ships out) to stay with her Price family for a period of time.

Hannah wrote: "I don't know that the Bertram ladies had any less exposure to society than anyone else in a country area at the time. They hadn't been to town, but they'd certainly been to lots of balls, and there..."

I think as we go into the next reading section, we can discuss this more as the story goes along...but is Edmund fascinated by Mary's boldness and modernity? These parts of Mary seem in conflict with who Edmund is, but is that the thing? -- which, to me, is a separate thing from beauty and intellect. The is blunt. I also have been thinking that she puts herself forward in a room or a gathering of people. That action of a woman was very unknown to him probably. I have known of people sort of curious/fascinated/attracted/shocked by another person and who pursued a relationship due to that mix.

I am finally in the discussion -- so glad to be here. You are all thinking about the same points as I have been with these characters. I like examining that Sotherton trip also. So many things play out here to start building the structure of these relationships. Yes -- the barouche ride. The rivalry between sisters, where we clearly see that Maria is now feeling that a relationship with Henry might unfold. And the misery and jealousy she experiences as Julia sits beside Henry for the whole trip. Good job Jane Austen for this fine episode on this Henry-Maria-Julia subject.

There is also the scene with undercurrents when they discuss the upcoming wedding while in the small Sotherton family chapel.

And the tension is introduced regarding Mary's disapproval of Edmund's future as a minister. Also, the jealousy of Rushworth comes out with his "In my opinion, these Crawfords are no addition at all. We did very well without them."

I have just posted 2 more discussion sections at the same time in order to pick up the pace. Again I apologize for being slow at my duties. I hope that things have now settled down with some recent issues going on with me lately.

ending with Fanny's receipt of a proposal which she hopes to stop at its early stage

ends with focused preparation of a ball given by Sir Thomas to honor Fanny, and the gift of a chain necklace

Commemorating the day, everyone. Share your own thoughts and reflections also.

I am traveling due to family concerns; I apologize...this and my delays in posting were unexpected. I will fall in with you lovely people as soon as possible.

this is the next discussion section. (corrected from my preliminary comments which stated thru 13)

introduces Fanny Price at 10 years old and moves forward to her 18th year, living at Mansfield, which is the home of her aunt and uncle, cousins, and additional aunt nearby; most of the main characters are introduced in this section; it ends with the arranging of a visit to Mr. Rushworth's estate, Southerton, and the travelers getting underway

I will post the first reading discussion section tomorrow. The divisions are based upon the Vintage Classics edition, 2007, reflecting chapter numbers of 3 volumes of the novel. I thought it would be helpful to present the entire division of the discussion in this comment, even though only the first will be posted tomorrow. We will probably see what pace to take the discussion in the first week or so.

Here are the discussion sections:
vol 1, ch. 1-8; introduces Fanny Price at 10 years old and moves forward to her 18th year, living at Mansfield which is the home of her aunt and uncle, cousins, and additional aunt nearby; most of the main characters are introduced in this section; it ends with the arranging of a visit to Mr. Rushworth's estate, Southerton, and the travelers getting underway
vol 1, ch. 9-13; ends with Fanny, the Bertram cousins, Rushworth, the Crawfords, and Tom's friend Yates producing a private play at Mansfield -- which causes its own private family theatrics

vol 2, ch. 1-8; ends with focused preparation of a ball given by Sir Thomas to honor Fanny, and the gift of a chain necklace
vol 2, ch. 9-13; ending with Fanny's receipt of a proposal which she hopes to stop at its early stage

vol 3, ch. 1-6; ends with Sir Thomas hoping to remedy Fanny's proposal situation by sending her with her brother William to Portsmouth (before he ships out) to stay with her Price family for a period of time.
vol 3, ch. 7-12; ends with Fanny still in Portsmouth; Henry has left Portsmouth; Fanny receives letters from Edmund about Mary and from Lady Bertram about Tom's serious illness
vol 3, ch. 13-end

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Link for the thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

I have put in the request to feature our group. We will keep a watch and see if that happens. :)

And your plan was very smart to donate your books after reading at your vacation location. I love that and shows we are all one reading community I think, regardless if we are travelers or locals.

Thank you Louise and Carol!

Thanks, and I will look at that Carol. Good idea :)

Please hop into the discussion any time. I know you messaged you were tied up in June, so I understand you may be wrapping up other things. I am glad you will be with us.

Hi members,

I did not intend to extend our "review period" of the Mansfield idea this long, but due to my own technical difficulties I have.

I would like to start a Mansfield reading discussion on July 1. I hope that as many of you can join in as possible. I know that is just before our big holiday in the U.S., but I was concerned that extending it another week out would lose our momentum.

Another note: We remember the 200 years since Jane Austen's passing in July. Additionally, I have been working on some small celebratory activities to mark July as the completion of 10 full years of this Jane Austen group here on GoodReads. For me, our group and others like it recognize and live out Jane's legacy to us humble readers... always perpetuating, always edifying. So for the coming months, along with remembering our Jane's passing, I would like to celebrate her readers and this group. More on that ahead.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Sarah,

I've been following the discussion about the movie, though think I've only posted once.

Both of these threads (move and Fanny character) made me conclude I should reread Mansfield Park.

I..."

Good!