31: Caught in the Middle

After finish reading Chpt 3 of Vol 2 in NA, I realized that I was caught in the middle of a girl conversation. Isabella’s confrontation to Catherine regarding John Thrope’s affections did not go as smoothly as I think it should have. Reading actually felt awkward…

“I certainly cannot return his affection, and as certainly never meant to encourage it.”

Classic female response, I’m sure. Morland’s misunderstanding or misinterpretation regarding Thrope’s actions and feelings (I believe) is common for women. Now… with that in mind, I don’t think Thrope convey his feelings accurately or clearly… a common (and in some cases reoccurring) mistake that men often make with women.

I remember trying to tell my wife that I liked her after 6 months of being friends in college… it was awkward and uncomfortable. I try not to bring up my failed attempts of woo-ing her… they lead to total embarrassment.

I loved how Isabella said, “Circumstances change, opinions alter.” And Catherine’s reply of “By my opinion of your brother never did alter; it was always the same. You are describing what never happened.”

How many times do we have someone in our lives who describes something about us that never happens???

26: Jane Austen Book Club Movie

I caught the last 15 minutes of The Jane Austen Book Club movie on television today as I was flipping channels. I had no clue what was going on, but there were all these women discussing Jane and what she would do. It seemed extremely complicated… especially this one girl asking her husband to read Persuasion. Didn’t really seem like a healthy relationship… let alone a healthy marriage. I may need to rewatch this from the beginning…

Another post about my Northanger Abbey reading is on its way…

04

As I venture into this unfamiliar literary realm, I’m already discovering some peculiar themes.

1. Previous readers of Austen fall on either side of the love / hate spectrum.

2. People feel strongly about Jane and the order in which her novels must be read.

3. By people, I mean women. So far, a majority of my comments have been from females.

I have 20 days to prep myself before I start reading.

My wife asked when my Austen Adventure would begin. I replied w/ April 1^st… does that make me a fool for taking on such a literary, experimental challenge?