I am a total Janeite, and have been studying Jane Austen literature and her life after falling in love with Emma. I am currently finishing my third novel in my new Jane Austen literature hobby, Pride and Prejudice, and it’s my favorite of all. The film version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and […]
I’ve recently finished reading Persuasion, a beautiful novel by Jane Austen. It tells the tale of a 27 year old woman who finds herself once again in proximity with the handsome, ambitious man whose proposal she turned down eight years prior, at the persuasion of her family and a family friend. He is now advanced […]
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Persuasion is my favorite of the Austen novels, very much for the things you point out. Austen herself is a wonderful writer – Amazing, isn’t it? how 200 years later, human nature does not change, however much cultures and social issues do.
I’m delighted you’re reading these wonderful books. Northanger Abbey is next on my list, then all that remains in my current read-through is Emma, which I’ve left til last because she annoys me so.
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Oooh, I should look into “Persuasion.” The only Austen book I’ve read is “Pride and Prejudice”
I’ve been married over four months now, maybe the four best months of my life. I am married to a man I love, respect, and greatly admire. He is my hero! My whole life changed after we got married, in many different ways. I now get up more than two hours earlier every day to […]
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I came across you blog on Lady Lydia’s blog. Congratulations on being 4 months married. I love your post on femininity below. Fascinating Womanhood has played a significant part in who I am today. I read it when I was single and again now that I’m married. It’s great.
Have a blessed day. -
Hi Penelope,
Congratulations!!! with your wedding.
Thanks for stopping by on my blog the other day.
I love your blog. It’s great !! I’ll add you to my blogroll.God bless
Becky -
Thank you, Fruitful and Becky…I am a happy newlywed.
A feminine woman has certain characteristics that others can sense, and find very appealing. She is softer, more delicate, and physically weaker then men, but she isn’t morally weaker. She is poised, refined, and confident. These characteristics are her feminine wiles, and feminine wiles have been used through out history to both please and subdue […]
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found your blog via your comment on mine! I loved your two articles on Femininity and have been slowly reading through your archives.
I noticed on your menu planing post that you do eat meat on Wednesdays or Fridays. Are you Orthodox?
I plan to link to your femininity posts on my blog today!
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Hi Emma, My husband and I are Orthodox and keep the Wednesday and Friday fast. I enjoy your blog a great deal also!
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Hi Penelope, I followed Emma’s link here. These are beautiful posts! Thankyou. I’m adding you to my blogroll, and sending this link to a bunch of my friends.
Oh, and I’m Orthodox too. I always love finding new Orthodox bloggers especially women that think like me!
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OH! AND YOU’RE ORTHODOX, TOO!! I’m just thrilled — so am I!
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These pieces are very inspiring! Thank you for blessing me with these words, I am always looking for Feminine inspiration.
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this is sort of sexist… ALOT sexist
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This article is interesting; but, you keep showing pictures of Marilyn Monroe. Although she was considered feminine by Hollywood’s standards, I can’t help but wonder if you realize that she was a depressed woman who was addicted to drugs and ultimately committed suicide. She is certainly not the role model that we should seek.
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I don’t think any woman in Hollywood is a role model by the way they live their life, but as a model of feminine beauty (and the image they portray) they are good examples. I know about her personal life, very sad (and a reason I would never want a daughter of mine to pursue acting or modeling).
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You nailed it on the physically weaker part and needing protection. My wife can barely lift a carton of milk and I do for her. She is weaker even than other women and I love that. The idea of her needing my protection and help is such a turn on.
But I want to be clear. It is a turn off if a girl pretends to be weak. But a major turn on, if she really is that weak.
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19). Words are very powerful. The Bible and many philosophers throughout history have remarked on the power of the tongue. More than any other thing, what is said has the power to build up or tear down. God himself calls gossiping […]
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Hi, I’ve read a few of your blogs, and really enjoy them. I agree with you on this topic and wish more people practiced it! I’ll be back to read more!
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I would love to read the Cat in the Hat with my son. Thanks for the chance!
I think there are a couple of considerations about women and work. No, certain work was considered beneath the dignity of a gentlewoman. Remember Mrs Bennet's protestations that her daughters never went into the kitchen? Even though she believed Lady Lucas held different ideas on the matter –
But also, living conditions of the day created far too much work for one woman to do it all, alone. Miss Austen and her contemporaries had none of the conveniences that make our lives so simple. Clothes had to be made by hand, and so did all cleaning supplies and tools (such as brooms). Heating was difficult – and it produced huge amounts of dust and dirt. There was no indoor plumbing, so water had to be hauled for everything – and chamber pots had to be dealt with. (Did you notice in the Emma Thompson Sense & Sensibility – the scene where Eleanor is telling Edward of Col. Brandon's offer of the parish – the chamber pot under the table in the background?) The tasks to keep up even a very modest home were far too great for one woman to manage on her own; a servant of some description was necessary. I believe even farm women would take in older daughters from other farms for help until their own children were old enough to pick up the difference to be of service in their own homes – and this work provided the training for the smarter ones to go "into service." It was truly a different era!
Jane Austen was such a fantstic writer. And I think you're correct the Colin Firth film version was the strongest adaptation. It was far superior to the Keira Knightley version that was released several years ago.