I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed reading all your inciteful comments. I know it's no secret but I have such a love of good literature. It's wonderful to know you are taking the time to experience Jane Austen. I marvel at her wit, her ablility to turn a phrase, but most of all her uncanny understanding of human nature. We relate to her because she relates to us. Even though the social mores, language and customs change, people really don't and that is what makes her stories universally loved. Every single character reminds us of ourselves, or someone we know, someone we love, someone we admire or someone we dislike immensly. She causes us to reflect on our own personalities, our own strengths and weaknesses, and our own relationships. My favorite character is Elinor because I admire her. She is selfless and the personification of the phrase, "Quiet waters run deep." Edward has the depth of character to appreciate who and what she is, a woman of substance. Lucy would have made him miserable and he knew it yet he would have married her rather than breach his contract. Marianne was not interested in money or she would have jumped at the chance to marry Brandon as many in her situation would have. Interestingly, through her hearbreak she became a worthy partner for Brandon, who like Elinor was completely selfless. Willoughby is a tragic character. He is the perfect example of "where much is given, much is expected." He was raised to be a gentleman, he knew better. That was his regret, he knew he gave up the brass ring through his own stupidity.
I would like to share some of the writings of Sterling W. Sill on books:
"Charles Kingsley has said, "there is nothing more wonderful than a book. It may be a message to us from the dead, from human souls we never saw, who have lived thousands of miles away, and yet these little sheets of paper speak to us, arouse us, teach us, open our hearts, and in turn open their hearts to us like brothers. Without books God is silent, justice is dormant, philosophy lame, and all things are involved in darkness."
Charles Lamb said, "I love to lose myself in other men's minds." Through books we may enjoy with Shakespeare, and think with Emerson, and pray with Jesus. We can see into the mind of Moses, feel the faith of the Apostle Paul, and live the visions of John the Revelator. It is much easier to make our lives productive if we have some good books to help us. Erasmus said, "When I get a little money I buy books and if any is left over, I buy food and clothes."
Thank you all for allowing me to join you, I look forward to experiencing the genius of Jane Austen with all of you.
