The question of why I was forgetting Jane was forming somewhere in the recesses of my mind, but before the question had time to become fully formed I had tripped over the springs and mirrors operating Miss Bates.
Author: Serene Sargent
I make jewelry and try to read everything on the US Civil War and Reconstruction that comes out, (thereby knowing many smart people.) I know a bit of law, care about Beatles historiography and love the Nagras. Jane Austen whispered her Emma secrets to me across many miles and 200 years. ✨ My father was Bill Sargent, the Pay Per View Beatles guy. #DYRBRY
The Miss Bates Traveling, Talking Circus: Chapter by chapter
It wasn’t until later—once the unmistakable pattern was clear—that I went, “OH MY GOD, THE LETTER! Of course! That little minx has been toying with us all along!”
Miss Bates is a circus. Miss Bates is a blind.
Like, I know Jane Austen didn’t literally say, “I will write a circus, and I will call her Miss Bates,” but I am going to pretend that she did, and you can’t stop me.
Austen’s Insidious Poisoners – Mr. Collins: the spider
Can anyone believe that he meant the nice things wrapped up in knives early in the book, but not the ones later in it? That his cruelty is a new affliction?
Jane, Jane! What’s in a name? Mrs. Elton’s most unpardonable sin.
What Mr. Knightley cannot fathom is that anyone—even Mrs. Elton—could address someone with the dignity and pride of Jane Fairfax like an inferior to her face. And by calling Miss Fairfax “Jane,” Mrs. Elton is indeed “continually insulting” her.
The conversation between Mrs. Weston, Mr. Knightley and Emma about why Jane Fairfax “consents to be with the Eltons” in which Emma calls EVERY SINGLE POINT right can lead me into what I need to say about Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’
I like it not only because it’s a very particular way of bringing forward points that the author wants us to be aware of—like the conversations in Pride and Prejudice at Bingley’s when Jane is sick—but also because half of what Mr. Knightley says needs the “rules of address” translation tweak to be properly understood, plus the bonus to make it all perfect, because Jane Austen counterintuitively allows Emma to be very precisely and exactly right on every point in her summation. (And you need her saucy lead-in to make the perfection fully sparkle.)
AKOM “Fine Tuning” Episode 6: A prolonged jealousy
Another really excellent episode that I will have to listen to at least two more times to fully ingest, despite having lots of diffuse, unconnected notes where I ranted about most of the same text. They really backed up and gave it context and meaning, including adding a lot of things that I didn’t have…
Regency Dinner Parties and Mrs. Bennet’s “two full courses”
WTF does Mrs. Bennet mean by “courses”? Your intrepid reporter went in search of answers.
“…she had the consolation of thinking that Mr. Bingley would be soon down again, and soon dining at Longbourn; and the conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that, though he had been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two full courses.”
Journal entry. New Year’s Eve 2022
Thinking about the “you always start things and then quit them” knock against so many, including, yes, me.
This is a good thing. Or can be.
Being insatiably curious is GOOD. Trying new things is GOOD. Moving on, taking those bits of knowledge and experience with you: GOOD. …This criticism should be more ridiculous on its face. It’s like criticizing someone for trying on clothes.
John in the Star Club Tapes: No Mr. Lewisohn, he is not charming
“John— we need to talk about John Lennon on this recording. These recordings. Because he’s uh— he’s- he’s- he’s belligerent. Um, he’s under the influence of— I’m sure he’s under the influence of Prellies. Probably drink, as well. Um, he’s beguiling, he’s rude. He’s still charming. He’s— I mean he’s not horrible. He’s just —yeah— he’s just edgy!” -Mark Lewisohn
Exact Words 