Showing posts with label Sense and Sensibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sense and Sensibility. Show all posts
8.01.2018
8.04.2017
RIP Robert Hardy
Actor Robert Hardy passed away this week.
Besides all his wonderful rolls he portrayed General Tinley in the 1987's Northanger Abbey and Sir John Middleton in 1995's Sense and Sensibility.
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| Robert Hardy as General Tinley |
With his instantly recognisable voice and British bulldog manner, Robert Hardy enjoyed a distinguished acting career which spanned eight decades.
By the time he endeared himself to television audiences in the BBC's All Creatures Great and Small, he had already carved out a reputation as one of Britain's most versatile actors.
While his earlier career gave him a firm grounding in the theatre his best known roles were in front of the camera - particularly in television, a medium he obviously enjoyed.
He became something of a specialist in the role of Sir Winston Churchill, playing the great man on half a dozen occasions as well as being in demand to reproduce the wartime leader's voice.-From BBC's Obituary for Robert Hardy. You can read the full obit here.
Besides all his wonderful rolls he portrayed General Tinley in the 1987's Northanger Abbey and Sir John Middleton in 1995's Sense and Sensibility.
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| Robert Hardy as Sir John Middleton |
8.31.2016
6.19.2015
Book Beginnings - Sense and Sensibility b
In honor of our meeting tomorrow and our discussion of Sense and Sensibility here is the beginning of the book.
CHAPTER 1
The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister. But her death, which happened ten years before his own, produced a great alteration in his home; for to supply her loss, he invited and received into his house the family of his nephew Mr. Henry Dashwood, the legal inheritor of the Norland estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman's days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. The constant attention of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood to his wishes, which proceeded not merely from interest, but from goodness of heart, gave him every degree of solid comfort which his age could receive; and the cheerfulness of the children added a relish to his existence.
By a former marriage, Mr. Henry Dashwood had one son: by his present lady, three daughters. The son, a steady respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. By his own marriage, likewise, which happened soon afterwards, he added to his wealth. To him therefore the succession to the Norland estate was not so really important as to his sisters; for their fortune, independent of what might arise to them from their father's inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds in his own disposal; for the remaining moiety of his first wife's fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life-interest in it.
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew;—but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest. Mr. Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son;—but to his son, and his son's son, a child of four years old, it was secured, in such a way, as to leave to himself no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision by any charge on the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods. The whole was tied up for the benefit of this child, who, in occasional visits with his father and mother at Norland, had so far gained on the affections of his uncle, by such attractions as are by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise, as to outweigh all the value of all the attention which, for years, he had received from his niece and her daughters. He meant not to be unkind, however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece.
Mr. Dashwood's disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine; and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, lay by a considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement. But the fortune, which had been so tardy in coming, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.
His son was sent for as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters.
Mr. John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family; but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr. John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently be in his power to do for them.
He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties. Had he married a more amiable woman, he might have been made still more respectable than he was:—he might even have been made amiable himself; for he was very young when he married, and very fond of his wife. But Mrs. John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself;—more narrow-minded and selfish.
When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds a-piece. He then really thought himself equal to it. The prospect of four thousand a-year, in addition to his present income, besides the remaining half of his own mother's fortune, warmed his heart, and made him feel capable of generosity.— "Yes, he would give them three thousand pounds: it would be liberal and handsome! It would be enough to make them completely easy. Three thousand pounds! he could spare so considerable a sum with little inconvenience."— He thought of it all day long, and for many days successively, and he did not repent.
No sooner was his father's funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband's from the moment of his father's decease; but the indelicacy of her conduct was so much the greater, and to a woman in Mrs. Dashwood's situation, with only common feelings, must have been highly unpleasing;—but in HER mind there was a sense of honor so keen, a generosity so romantic, that any offence of the kind, by whomsoever given or received, was to her a source of immovable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband's family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.
So acutely did Mrs. Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it, that, on the arrival of the latter, she would have quitted the house for ever, had not the entreaty of her eldest girl induced her first to reflect on the propriety of going, and her own tender love for all her three children determined her afterwards to stay, and for their sakes avoid a breach with their brother.
Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;—her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.
Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.
Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister's sensibility; but by Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and cherished. They encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought for, was created again and again. They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future. Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention; and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to similar forbearance.
Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humored, well-disposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne's romance, without having much of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life.
6.17.2015
5.06.2015
4.06.2015
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Tutored read: Sense and Sensibility
This is a meme hosted by Book Journey.
LibraryThing member lyzard hosts Tutored reads of Jane Austen novels. Here is lyzard's explanation of a tutored read:
"For the benefit of any newcomers, a tutored read differs from a group read in that it is led by the nominated "tutee", who sets the reading pace. There is the opportunity for detailed questions and answers about anything in the text. Everyone is welcome to participate, and more than welcome to ask questions of their own. However, we request that (i) no-one posts about anything in the novel that occurs beyond where the tutee is up to, and (ii) that all posts are headed by a chapter number in bold. This is so that we can both navigate, and avoid the possibility of spoilers."Since we are discussing Sense and Sensibility this year I thought some of you might like the tutored read to help you through the novel. Sense and Sensibility Tutored Read
3.20.2015
Fun Friday - A Hugh Grant Poll Results
The results are in and the winner of favorite Austen related roll for Hugh Grant is:
With 63% of the votes, Edward Ferrars won out over Daniel Cleaver!
With 63% of the votes, Edward Ferrars won out over Daniel Cleaver!
12.03.2014
11.19.2014
10.22.2014
10.01.2014
8.13.2014
9.24.2012
12.02.2010
Living in Sense and Sensibility
This post courtesy of Design*Sponge:Sense and Sensibility is such a sparkling Austen adaptation that I kept forgetting to pause it to take movie stills for this post. The Dashwood sisters steal your heart right from the get-go, thanks in no small part to Emma Thompson’s fluid screenplay and director Ang Lee’s warmth and honesty. Sensible Elinor and flighty, impulsive Marianne are complete opposites and it’s a true testament of my fan-girlness that I mark my personality evolution in terms of Austen heroines. I started off as a die-hard Marianne but am slowly turning into a snooze-worthy rendition of Elinor.
1. Griffin Library Pillow, $295; 2. Resin Cutlery Set, $56; 3. Antique Wooden Birdcage, $2,400; 4. Cashmere Scarf, $143; 5. Beeswax Taper Candles, $11+; 6. Harrison Table, $895; 7. Frances Palmer “Summer Vase”, $895; 8. Leather Envelope, $75; 9. Wildflower Bouquet, $5; 10. Vintage Gilded Silhouette, $18
Wildflowers, English cottages, homespun linen and ironstone pitchers plus, ahem, a healthy dose of Col. Brandon make Sense and Sensibility a worthy object of aesthetic obsession. I may not have the cottage or the Colonel, but lord help me, I will pick wildflowers every chance I get (even if it means snooping in the back alleys of Brooklyn).
1. Vintage Oushak Rug, $1,795; 2. English Bird Print, $65; 3. Natural Sea Sponge, $14; 4. Iron Sconce, $34; 5. Brooks Brothers Linen Handkerchiefs, $60; 6. Natural Horn Comb, $9; 7. Vintage Ironstone Pitcher, $17; 8. Vintage Dutch Cup and Saucer, $24; 9. Hungarian Grain Sack, $48; 10. Shaker Peg Rail, $77; 11. Wooden Tabletop Mirror, $175
4.05.2010
Sense and Sensibility Marvel Comics
If you enjoyed the Pride and Prejudice Marvel Comics, you will probably be pleased to learn that they have created Sense and Sensibility as a comic strip book. It will be available on May 10, 2010. To link to their site you may click here.
3.22.2010
Update on Three Weissmanns of Westport
The Three Weissmanns of Westport is a playful, loose-jointed homage to Sense & Sensibility. The author is Cathleen Schine and you have to check out her website & read her blog. http://www.cathleenschine.com/.
Her favorite book is Emma & her blog dated 2/12/10 Austenolatry talks about her visit to The Morgan Library. She writes, "To deny Miss Austen's marvelous literary skill would be simply to convict oneself of the grossest stupidity."
2.12.2010
Sense and Sensibility, the Musical
Those of you attending the "Inspired by Austen" symposium on March 6, 2010, will be entertained by a new Sense and Sensibility musical composed and written by Gemma Cooper-Novak and Joshua Tyre. Check out their website here or go to JASNA-NY's website's events page
by clicking here.
by clicking here.
8.02.2009
Meet "Fanny Dashwood" with JASNA-NY
JASNA-NY writes: Have you ever wondered why Fanny Dashwood is so mean? If so you will want to read Harriet Walter's story of Fanny Dashwood's life before she is introduced to us in Sense and Sensibility. Ms. Walter graciously accepted our invitation to speak to JASNA-NY members on Friday July 10, 2009 and read "her" Fanny Dashwood to her delighted audience. You can read the story by going to http://www.jasnany.org and click on Past Events/Fanny's Story or click here.
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