Jane Austen discussion

I was thinking about which out of the Austen heroes are the most realistic and achievable in real life today.

Personally I think Knightley as he is 'the boy next door' and he doesn't do anything majorly heroic to gain her affection like save her family etc (except moving in with her ;) )
I think Darcy would be the most unrealistic really...

I suppose a lot of Darcy's actions are centred about his position in society, his money, his responsibility to his estate, etc. and that is not really an issue in the modern day, so I agree.

Edmund - a cousin - that's not really realistic these days either!!

Edmund HAHAHA definatley not!

ooh...I agree that Knightley could be realistic. I think different aspects of others are too, like Mr. Tilney's sarcastic humor, or Wentworth's rise to fame.

Sadly, I think a lot of the villain's are far too realistic in real life today :[

and OH! definitely not Edmund!! :D

I agree -- Knightley is definitely the most modernly realistic of Austen's heroes. Good thing he's one of my favorites, huh... ;)

most realistic nowadays, hmmm


Mr. Tilney. Honestly, Tilney was a cool guy. Thinking of him now, he did not have much tra la la la in the novel. I mentioned him because he stood against his father to marry Catherine. Some may see that as manly and super attractive. He loved to read, so a book lover may fall for him. Plus, he is not big on the swooning, Catherine was the one who starry eye. For girls who do not want the kissy dissy love Tilney would suit fine.


Mr. Darcy would be like a celebrity. He would be rich and dashing and some of the girls may die for that but since he sticks so hard to rich family norms he would pick his Kate Middleton( I do not know why I brought her up, I guess the whole love story of she and the prince.)

Girls may go for Knightely. I agree with you Soph, he is like a boy next door but most of the time, only the girl who once lived next door will sort after him. She will see him one day in the grocery aisle and have flashbacks.


For girls who age does not matter, Colonel Brandon would be their pick. Colonel Brandon is the sweet lover. He is the type where you go 'holy moly, I love him, I didn't realize until now.' The stick with you forever kind of guy.

For the stubborn girl who can never get over her first love Captain Wentworth would be their pick. He would be like a high school sweet heart. You moved on but you really did not move on. He will be gone on the high seas but the marine, army and navy wives bear it today.

the whole society status thing is so much like ur popular im not or ur rich and im poor a lot of the same social barriers :)

Great descriptions Marren!

And Nicole the villains are SOO realistic!

Tilney would be the most realistic I think. He struggles to live his life (in some way, he isn't the first son at all), he didn't fall for Catherine, neither at the beginning nor in the end. He just thought she's the right one for him, that simple. Also he's strict for the right and has virtues that make him a real gentleman.

Now I think most men don't have such virtues, so I'm saying that Mr Collins would be the most realistic one. :) Ill-mannered, rude and ass kisser people are everywhere!

Marren wrote: "...For girls who age does not matter, Colonel Brandon would be their pick. Colonel Brandon is the sweet lover. He is the type where you go 'holy moly, I love him, I didn't realize until now.' The stick with you forever kind of guy..."

True... He's a favorite of mine too! :)

Elif wrote: "Tilney would be the most realistic I think..."

I love Tilney's character!

I agree mostly Elif! ;) Tilney yes! (He wasn't the first son, that was Captain Frederick Tilney) and also I think he did sort of fall for Catherine by the end, but not at the beginning no. :)

Mr Collins unfortunately yes.... *eww*

Elif wrote: "Tilney would be the most realistic I think. He struggles to live his life (in some way, he isn't the first son at all), he didn't fall for Catherine, neither at the beginning nor in the end. He jus..."

Soph wrote: "And Nicole the villains are SOO realistic!"


That is true and sad. The place is crawling with Wickhams, Willoughbies, Thorpes etc.

Marren wrote: "That is true and sad. The place is crawling with Wickhams, Willoughbies, Thorpes etc. "

Yeah, I forgot to mention them. You're right unfortunately.

I really like Marren's ideas. Nice. :)

Soph wrote: "Great descriptions Marren!"

I agree.Marren those was great.You did a wonderful job of making the Austen heroes translated into modern guys.

I sometimes wonder if Mansfield Park isn't as popular because the hero and heroine are cousins.

I do think that might have a bearing. It was acceptable then but I still think people might have a problem with it. Which is a shame. It doesn't bother me!

It bothers me, haha. I cannot wrap my head around that relationship *oh well*

It is weird now. But it doesn't bother me because of the time period - it was done. :)

hmm, ok I understand your point of view :)

Nicole D. wrote: I sometimes wonder if Mansfield Park isn't as popular because the hero and heroine are cousins.

I think it has more to do with Fanny. Austen's mother called her "insipid." For me, she's just not as interesting and likable as Austen's other heroines.

ah, hmm, Fanny is my second favourite heroine but Mansfield is my fourth favourite book. You have a point, I have seen comments about folks disliking the book because of Fanny. She is one of the reason I like it, hmmm.

She isn't as spirited as some others but that is her character and the point of her characters in the novel so .... :) I don't mind her, but I do prefer the spirited heroines like Elizabeth

I think people these days have trouble understanding/identifying with Fanny. Sadly, many modern women have more in common with Mary Crawford and Maria.

Louise wrote: "I think people these days have trouble understanding/identifying with Fanny. Sadly, many modern women have more in common with Mary Crawford and Maria."

I think that is true too.A lot of people like Mary better then Fanny.Some people have even argued that Mary is the heroine of Mansfield Park.

Marren wrote: "ah, hmm, Fanny is my second favourite heroine but Mansfield is my fourth favourite book. You have a point, I have seen comments about folks disliking the book because of Fanny. She is one of the r..."

Fanny is my second favorite heroine or tied with Elizabeth Bennet.I can never deside.Mansfield Park is my second favorite of her books.I LOVE it and am one of it's biggest supporters.I love Fanny because I do connect with her.Her shyness and her being told by Mrs.Norris(for me it wasn't an Aunt but a Teacher)that she is worthless are things I can really connect with her about.

Plus I can never understand that people like Emma better then Fanny.

I can never understand why either. I prefer Fanny a thousand times more because of her character. I wanted to punish those who belittle and because like you Nicole, I was told those exact things by many people(family members included).

Fanny just needed some more self confidence and the people who should help her were the ones bringing down her self esteem. Edmund was her only friend.

I do agree with what is being said and I do admire Fanny's characters - I reckon I prefer Lizzy and Catherine (and Marianne) because I relate to them a lot.

It is so true about Mary and Maria! There are plenty of them out there! I can't believe Mary would even be considered the main character.... And the HEROINE! What is there heroine like about her!?

Hehe, Soph your last sentence sent me into a fit of giggles :D. I will certainly agree with you on this stance: Fanny is definitely the heroine, plain, blank and simple.

Yes!

I read an article in which the author analyzes Austen's heroines. He groups them in two groups.

1. Those who make serious errors in judgment: Elizabeth, Emma, Marianne, and Catherine (of NA)
2. Those who do not have this flaw: Elinor, Anne, & Fanny

I wonder if I prefer the flawed heroines because they seem more realistic and/or it gives me comfort to see the heroine make a serious mistake or two and yet still get her happy ending.

He also wrote about how Mary Crawford is much more like Elizabeth Bennet than Fanny is. (!)

Interesting article...
http://jasnama.org/FannyPrice.html

Thanks for the link!

I prefer the flawed ones (Lizzy Emma Marianne and Catherine) because they are flawed and more realistic, to me. :)

Thank you Diane very much, the article engaged me in a manner that I really liked! First I was "oh he did not" and then I was "ohhh I understand" hmmm!

My three favourites heroines are Anne, Fanny and Elinor. They are more realistic to me because I identify with them better than the rest.


By the way I never imagined a comparison to point out similarities between Elizabeth and Mary. I understand Mary and Lady Susan to a certain but Elizabeth? I understand the comments about beauty and wit but Elizabeth motives contrasted significantly with that of Mary. Mary wanted to get attached to a handsome wealthy man. Tom would do but he did not care for her and eventually she grew a soft spot for Edmund. She played with his feelings and she tried to change what he wanted to be. Elizabeth never played with Mr. Darcy's feelings. Well since he is rich, so I cannot contrast that. Elizabeth wanted Mr. Darcy to change the behaviour she thought he had. Immediately when she realized that he was not the jerk she thought, her cheek grew crimsoned.

I agree, I don't see a similarity really between Lizzy and Mary...

I agree with you both.Lizzy and Mary no.But reading Lady Susan she reminds me of Mary in some ways.I do think Lady Susan is crueler and more cold hearted then Mary.Lady Susan only cares for herself.Mary at least loves her brother Henry and her sister.

I agree Nicole, Lady Susan is more cold hearted and Mary does care for Henry and Mrs Grant. I feel sorry for Frederica, having a mother like that.She was such a sweet girl, she reminds of Miss Georgiana (for some reason)

Mary does care for her brother and sister, I give her that! And doesn't anyone think she did actually grow to admire and care for Fanny a little even if she sometimes didn't show it in the right way? I think she did.

Sometimes I ask myself, why did she show an interest in Fanny. Is it because she was genuinely concern for Fanny because she(Fanny was caring and sweet) or is it because she saw Edmund's concern for Fanny? Did she want to be in Edmund's good grace by being nice to Fanny?

It's been so long since I've read the book, I don't know if it's in there or just in the 80's adaptation, but there are several instances where it is clear that the Crawfords do not like the way Fanny is treated by her family, whatever their own failings I think they did see her worth over the others and like her for it.

That isn't to say Mary didn't use her friendship with Fanny to further her cause with Edmund of course.

I agree with you both. I think there was genuine concern and feelings, along with the wish to be in edmunds good books!