My dear Jane,
Please allow me the impertinence of considering you a close, and intimate friend. I have read your words so often, I feel as if we've experienced all the joys and sorrows of life together. You've cheered me, you've consoled me, you've made me laugh and taught me that not all disagreeable gentlemen are, in fact, disagreeable. And so, on this wonderful, glorious day - the 200th birthday of Pride and Prejudice - I beg the indulgence of telling you my Jane story ...
... I met you as a wide-eyed sixteen year old, whose English professor handed over the 6-part BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. You know, the infamous "Wet Darcy" version. After being mesmerized by the story playing out on screen, I read the book. And then I stumbled across Sense and Sensibility. And then there was a gap of a few Jane-less years, until the Kiera Knightley Pride and Prejudice released, which reignited my interest. Mr Darcy walked back into my life when I needed him most, and escorted me into a world of manners and elegance. Not to mention very dashing heroes.
As the years rolled by, it's now eleven since that first encounter, I've read your novels. I've read the spinoffs and variations and paraliterature. I've seen the movies. I have quite an "Austenia collection" of my own, both book and video. I've met amazing people, and come to know myself better by visiting a more graceful time. Jane, looking back over the years, I'm not sure how I would have traversed them without your gentle humor and searingly beautiful stories.
To that end, dearest Jane, I thank you. For bucking tradition and fighting the norms, for writing. For letting your observations of human nature be distilled into such clarity, and creating heroes (and heroines) who give hope and courage. (And perchance a little romance).
Happy anniversary, Jane Austen, and a million thanks for Darcy and Elizabeth, Jane and Bingley, even Mr Collins and Lady Catherine! I raise a mug of cocoa in your honor, and snuggle in for a winter's night spent time-traveling through Regency England.
With much love,
Sincerely me
I love your letter, Rebecca! I wish I could be that creative!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful P&P Anniversary Day!
I love your second to last paragraph, Rebecca. Yes, thank you Jane for writing, for showing that women could do more than just stay at home with the children. Jane was a career woman long before Rosie the Riveter made it socially acceptable, and I will always love her for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, your letter was really fun & easy to relate to.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if anyone "thanked" Jane when she first wrote...did her family and friends really tell her how great her work is...or as with family you assume they know so you never really say until it is too late. I hope someone made her feel her work was of value..She would be amazed at her success..200 years and going strong..
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful letter. I always wonder what she would think of the women who feel such close kinship with her. We can only imagine. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the truth that our journey to that time...a time of grace...has changed us all so very much! Lovely letter. Thank you so very much for participating in this event and helping us celebrate 200 years of "Pride and Prejudice" together!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Stiletto Storytime
Yes! I too am glad the Austen wrote and used her observations to develop such wonderful characters. Great letter, and writing style of your own.
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