The Genteel Reading Circle For Ladies

[EverySongbirdSays]

In which like minds will discuss Jane Austen and other such 19th Century Classics sparked from an unhealthy interest in the sex life of one Mr Collins, parson to her ladyship Catherine De Bourgh of Rosings Park

First up : Sense And Sensibility

Bring your love of Dashwood, Brandon, Willoughby, Farrars, and Emma Thompson's weird crying noise here!!!

Sorry, killed thread!

I was wondering about the story of Eliza, and Eliza's daughter, who both fell foul to evil men. I think it is quite unusual to have illegitimacy so close to the main characters, IYSWIM? I can't think of another Austen novel where you have it. Maria Bertram maybe?

Harriett Smith was illegitimate in Emma. Although that relationship wasn't truly one of 'equals', but rather benefactress and protégée.

As a rule, though, I'm sure there was quite a social divide between 'nice' and 'fallen' women (and their offspring).

As Emma thinks, when she discovers Harriet's father was a tradesman, rather than the nobleman, or even gentleman, that she had assumed - 'The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed'

In Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell the main character has an illegitimate child. It's quite a tedious novel though as Mrs Gaskell has to keep emphasizing how 'good' and basically 'virtuous' the character was despite her terrible sin.

Loved S&S, book and Emma Thompson film. I thought Alan Rickman was perfect in the role. All good IMHO.

If we're moving on to Elizabeth Gaskell I thought the adaptation with Richard Armitage had all the elements of success but fell short of it. The female lead was wooden and the ending was stupid rubbish. I much preferred the book.

Oh yes I had forgotten about Harriet! Yes interesting that Emma is 'allowed' to associate with her (tho as Across says, only in an unequal relationship).

'The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed'

That is such an Emma-ish thing to say. I love Emma :)

Elizabeth Gaskell was quite a pioneer I think writing about the poor and dispossessed etc? I guess Dickens was doing it at the same time but he wasn't so good at writing women.