All the Rage: Thoughts on Upcoming Jane Austen Adaptations

Hello, long-lost friends! Well, technically I am the one who is long-lost, I suppose. But with two new Jane Austen adaptations in the making (or having recently come out), I couldn't resist the opportunity to post, however busy I am.  (Plus, I sort of worked it out so this is a project for one of my classes. Win-win.)

Why the period at the end? I'm confused.

First, let's talk about Emma, which is coming out in February of next year.  My original thought when hearing there is to be a new adaptation was "Huh?? But we don't need another Emma. We already a great miniseries and two mediocre movies." And my opinion as far as that goes hasn't really changed much.  However, until an absolutely, 100% perfect adaptation of a Jane Austen novel comes out, I'll always be willing to give something new a try. Even if I do think that a good Mansfield Park or Persuasion would be much, much more beneficial to the fandom and the world at large.

Then the trailer came out, and I had many more thoughts, which I will now discuss in detail.  I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!

Note: all screenshots below are taken directly from this trailer.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse

via

I could be more pleased with the choice for Emma, that's for sure.  Her face is definitely not what I picture Emma to be.  It's a bit too modern-looking, and kind of... sour?  Also, she is not what I would personally consider "handsome."  But I am trying to keep an open mind.

Anya is currently 23.  I was shocked to discover that for the first time, a Jane Austen heroine is being played by someone who is younger than I am.  But it's fine.  I'm only slightly freaked out.  Don't worry about it.  In any case, it's refreshing to have an actress so close to the character's age.

Anya hasn't done much in the way of period drama in the past, but it looks like she was in a recent film called The Miniaturist, which is set in the 17th-century, and looks pretty creepy.  Interestingly, Romola Garai (Emma from the 2009 miniseries, a.k.a. my favorite) played a significant role in that movie as well!

Costume Study: A&E Emma 1996

Costume studies were not in my original plans for blogging in the near future, but suddenly I just wanted to do it.  So do it I shall.

The reason?  Actually because I am starting on a new Regency dress.  Did I say that in the last post? I can't remember.  Oh dear.

Anyway, since store-bought patterns can only allow for so much (and everyone else who makes Regency dresses will be using the same patterns, haha), I decided to look to some of my favorite Jane Austen films, costume-wise, for inspiration for both day dresses and ball gowns.

Costume Captures is a lovely place to look for these, but they only have costume studies for two of the movies in this era I really care about (Pride and Prejudice 1995 and Northanger Abbey 2007... oh, they also have Miss Austen Regrets, and I did like some of those costumes so I might have a look at that later).  The Dashwood Sisters, a blog I used to frequent but which is no longer updated, also has a gorgeous study of Wives and Daughters, including tips on making the dresses.  Not what I'm looking for at present, but y'know. Just in case you were curious.

The 1996 Emma (popularly mis-categorized as 1997) is visually one of my absolute favorites for costumes and hairstyles.  Well, Emma's hairstyles.  I think that the whole thing has a wonderfully historically-accurate feel.  Although, of course, overall my favorite is the 2009 one.  (I also love those costumes, even if they feel a little more consistently vibrant than is realistic.)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I don't know about you, but around my house we start decorating the day after Thanksgiving (which was nice and early this year!), and decorating the house reminded me to decorate my blog, too.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. :D

The new header is from Emma (2009)--I was going to do one with people more visible or else more of a scenery shot, but that just struck me as so cozy and Christmassy that I had to use it. :) Hopefully it's not too dark.

The lovely background is provided by Miss Laurie--I am quite delighted with it. Thank you, Ladybird!

Now tell me. When you see the colored words on my blog (that is, the links) do you see more green or more red? Because I want you to see more red, since the background is green, but *I* see more green since it would seem I've visited nearly all the links... anyway, do let me know, if you can, and I may end up switching them. :)

I suppose I should have taken a screenshot of the old header and background, but I forgot. Oh, well. Here's the header I had:

And just for fun, this is the header I had last Christmas:

(It's not that I'm stuck on Emma, folks, it's that it has such swell screencaps.)

Speaking of last Christmas! I was sort of advertising a Christmas CD last year, and if anyone is interested, it is still available.

Merry Christmastime! :)

Several Guest Posts

I've done two guest posts in the past few months that I never posted about here, and now I've been helping out with two others, so here's a list of them all from newest to oldest--and as for the older ones, if you hadn't seen them yet, I do love comments on old posts! ;)

Emma Comparisons--A 4-part comparison of the 1996 Miramax film and the 2009 BBC mini-series, along with Miss Woodhouse and Miss Elizabeth, over at Elinor, Elizabeth, and Emma. 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |

Persuasion Comparisons--Comparisons of the 1995 and 2007 film versions of Persuasion, with Miss Dashwood, Miss Laurie, and Miss Elizabeth. This is also a 4-posts comparison, and can be found over at Austenitis. 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |

Road to Avonlea (TV Show) Review--Now this is from Miss Dashwood's Anne Week (at Yet Another Period Drama Blog) all the way back in March. It's an overview of the entire 7-season series, which I hope to review season-by-season on my own blog sometime soon-ish.

The Dickensian Heroine--This guest post was during the Charles Dickens Birthday Week at Old-Fashioned Charm.

Emma Week Tag & Contest Entries

I can rarely resist tags when they have to do with Jane Austen! Here's an original one, with the usual survey-ish questions, and a few trivia ones thrown in! You can find it here at Elinor, Elizabeth and Emma.




Did you read the book or watch an adaption first?

I watched an adaptation first (which was the 1996 A&E version). I think it's best to read the books first, but unfortunately I didn't achieve it with any of the Jane Austen novels. I'm a rather slow reader and once I saw Sense and Sensibility (1995) I wanted mooooore! Heehee.

How many times have you read Emma?

Yep, snagged this from Miss Laurie. (With her permission. :P)

Two times. Surprisingly, it's the only Jane Austen novel I've read all the way through twice. (At this time. Before the year is out there should be two or three others.) I finished it in early 2011 for the first time (enjoying it thoroughly), and then again in November and December for school. What fun schoolwork!

Your favorite adaption is?

The BBC mini-series from 2009. It's SUPERB. 

Do Emma’s matchmaking ‘skills’ annoy you?  

Of course, a little; but in a comedic sort of way, and the more I am familiar with the outcome of the story, the less I am annoyed.

List three minor characters you like in the story.

Like... how minor are we talking here? Hmm. Okay, I'll try for as minor as I can.

--Mr. Weston. He's a bit flighty, but he is likable. 

--John Knightley. He can be annoying, but he's not in it enough to make me too annoyed... just enough to make me laugh, because he is funny. And kudos to him for giving Emma a heads-up about Mr. Elton! 

--Anna Weston. Who's she? She's the baby Mrs. Weston has at the end. How do I know I like her? I don't, really... but she's a baby. Heehee.

Which character is the most annoying of the three? Mrs. Elton, Mr. Elton or Miss Bates? 

Mrs. Elton. Mr. Elton is super annoying too... Miss Bates is so well-meaning, I can't call her "annoying." But Mrs. Elton is VERY annoying. EERRMMM. One day I should do a post about the annoyingness of Mrs. Elton... I do like some of her quotes, though. "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." (Indubitably!) "Without music, life would be a blank to me." Although she's not sincere when she says either of them... but they're still good quotes. Oh, wait, that's attributed to Jane Austen... okay, Mrs. Elton, I have no reason to like you. (Though you do make me laugh. Only because I don't have to know you in real life.)

Have you seen any Emma spinoffs? (meaning modern adaptions like the original story)

Noooooooo. 

Unless the 1996 Gwenyth Paltrow version counts. 

(Cough, cough. Sorry.) 

The perfect sum-up of Mr. Knightley is?
HUH???
Okay, that question is almost like an oxymoron. I can't just "sum up" Mr. Knightley! If you want to know what I think of him, you can read my posts about him. ;-) 

Described what you think of Emma herself in three words or less.

Exasperating, endearing... um... Emma.

Harriet Smith receives a proposal from ____?
Mr. Elton.
(If all went according to Emma's plan, that is.)
Real answer: Mr. Robert Martin. 

Your most enjoyed scene is?

Book or movie? I'll just do both... book: Chapter 49. The proposal scene. Movie: the dance scene. Though I like the proposal scene in the movie, too. And the ending. And...lots.

The villain is?

Frank Churchill. I know I'm going against the grain to say that, but I'm saying it anyways. Frank just seems to have more in common with the usual Jane Austen villains, whereas Mr. Elton seems to fit better into the category of annoying characters (such as Mr. Collins).  If you want to know my opinions on this subject in greater detail, you can read this post, as well as this one (and the comments), but there will be spoilers. 
Anyways, Frank or else a combination of him AND Mr. Elton. 

Jane Fairfax is engaged to be married to ____? 

Mr. Dixon.
Muwahahaha.
I'm kidding. But that's top secret information, people; if you don't know the answer, you should go read the book. ;D

Miss Taylor was Emma’s ____?

Governess; but also friend, mentor... combination between an honorary sister and a mother-figure. 
{end of tag}
___
And now for my contest entries. First, we have an Emma-themed Caption Contest at "Miss Emma Woodhouse." Here are mine...

Quote: Emma (2009)

Picture: Pride and Prejudice (1995)

(Mr. Collins' real quote in that scene is "Upon my word, this puts me in mind of a small breakfast room at Rosings," and it reminded me of Mrs. Elton always talking about being reminded of Maple Grove. :P)

Quote: A paraphrase of Mrs. Jennings in Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Picture: Emma (1996, Miramax)

(Emma was complaining to Mr. Knightley about Jane Fairfax not telling her anything about Frank Churchill in this scene.)

Next, the "Keep Calm and Quote Emma" posters. I am limited as to number--only three. ;-) So here are my three.

(So that you might not be so uneducated compared to Jane Fairfax! Heehee.)

I think that's all! If you like Emma, be sure to get in on the fun! 

My Favorite Jane Austen Quotes

 I know my posts have been shockingly scarce lately (which would encompass the past five months, I suppose), and I've very little excuse besides lack of inspiration. Ever since I finished my Jane Austen novel series thing, I have been wanting momentum. I've been working on a hopefully-interesting post next in which my readers can be involved, but I knew I needed something new now, and I thought to do something I've never actually done--compile a list of my very favorite Jane Austen quotes to date. So, here they are.

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” ~Mr. Tilney, Northanger Abbey

"Mama, the more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!" ~Marianne Dashwood, Sense & Sensibility

"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?" ~Mr. Bennet, Pride & Prejudice

{Those top three are probably my Very Most Favorites of All. And that sentence was not supposed to be grammatically correct.}

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment." ~Mr. Darcy, P&P

"Those who do not complain are never pitied." ~Mrs. Bennet, P&P

"Laugh as much as you chuse, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion." ~Jane Bennet, P&P

"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. --Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." ~Mr. Bennet, P&P

"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!" ~Caroline Bingley, P&P

"Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." ~Elizabeth Bennet, P&P

"Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you!" ~Lady Catherine de Bourgh, P&P

“Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! … You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” ~Mr. Darcy

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (If you do not automatically know what that's from, I pity you. Heehee.)

"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart." ~Emma Woodhouse, Emma

"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort." ~Mrs. Elton, Emma

"Without music, life would be a blank to me." ~Mrs. Elton, Emma

"My dearest Emma, for dearest you will always be whatever the event of this hour's conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma..." ~Mr. Knightley, Emma
{Hmm. Maybe I should just do an entire post with most of Chapter 49. Heeheeheehee.}

"I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other." ~Emma Woodhouse

“But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way.” ~NA

“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.” ~NA

"...and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk, and you are two very nice young ladies. Oh! It is a very nice word indeed! -- It does for everything. Originally perhaps it was applied only to express neatness, propriety, delicacy, or refinement; -- people were nice in their dress, in their sentiments, or their choice. But now every commendation on every subject is comprised in that one word." ~Henry Tilney, NA

"If there is anything disagreeable going on, men are always sure to get out of it." ~Mary Musgrove, Persuasion

“One man’s ways may be as good as another’s, but we all like our own best.” ~Admiral Croft, Persuasion

“My sore-throats, you know, are always worse than anybody’s.” ~Mary Musgrove, Persuasion

“What wild imaginations one forms, where dear self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken!” ~Anne Elliot, Persuasion

“But there certainly are not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them.” ~Mansfield Park

"We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be." ~Fanny Price, MP

Quotes from Jane Austen's letters
"I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal."

“I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, & how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know.” (about Elizabeth Bennet)

"Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying without affection."

“Here I am once more in this Scene of Dissipation & vice, and I begin already to find my Morals corrupted.” (letter written in London) 

"If I am a wild Beast I cannot help it. It is not my own fault."

"I am not at all in a humour for writing; I must write on till I am."

What are your favorite Jane Austen quotes?

A fun tidbit about Jane Austen movie actors

Period drama fans such as myself always take delight in spotting actors in one movie as being such-and-such character in another. Here are a few fun connections I discovered a while back, where two actors who are in the  cast of one period drama both play the same character in two different Jane Austen adaptations. That probably won't make any sense; it's hard to explain, but not once I show you. Read on.

First, we have Mrs. Weston from Emma. 

She was played by Jodhi May in the 2009 mini-series and by Greta Scacchi in the 1996 Miramax version, and both those actresses were in...

Daniel Deronda (2002) as Mirah Lapidoth and Lydia Glasher. 

Then, there is Captain Wentworth from Persuasion. 

Ciaran Hinds played Captain Wentworth in the 1995 film, and Rupert Penry-Jones portrayed him in 2007. Well, they both acted in...

Jane Eyre (1997) as Mr. Rochester and St. John Rivers.

The other one I noticed was Edmund Bertram from Mansfield Park (though I have seen neither of the adaptations about to be mentioned).

Jonny Lee Miller was Edmund in the 1999 slaughtering version, and Blake Ritson played him in the 2007 misrepresentation movie.

Well, they were both in Emma (2009), playing [their correct Jane Austen characters] Mr. Knightley and Mr. Elton.

I'm sure there are other such coincidences, but these are just the ones I noticed for the actors in Jane Austen adaptations. Which are my specialty, as it were.

The latter one is especially interesting I think, as both the actors had portrayed Edmund Bertram before being cast in Emma. I wonder if they talked about it on set...

Have you ever noticed any of those, or any other fun actor-double coincidences? 

A Valentine Post

The thought of doing a Valentine's Day post didn't even occur to me before, but I was planning on watching my favorite romantic scenes from Emma (2009) and Pride and Prejudice (1995) to mark the day and decided to e-mail them to a friend as well (who, if she is reading this, will probably go "heehee!"). Then I thought I might as well stick the scenes in a post for your enjoyment too! And after that you will find another Valentine's Day bit as well.

And now that I've said all that boring stuff, I shall proceed. 

Scenes from Emma. I love the proposal scene, but I'm limiting myself to two scenes from each movie.

This might be my favorite scene in any Jane Austen movie... (I'd start at 1:25)

{video has been removed}

Note: mentally add in the "Brother and sister? No, indeed." quote and it's perfect.

Now for the beautiful ending! I intend for you to start at 7:30.

{video has been removed}

Now for P&P. I love the second proposal scene, but the Pemberley scene is always so romantic (tehe), and the Wedding makes me feel happy. So those are the two I should include here.

But the videos are being troublesome and so I shall simply link to them.

The Pemberley Scene (4:30-7:31)

The Wedding (7:08-end; although the proposal scene is there too, if you want to watch it. hehe)

Am I the only one plagued by silly sighs and giggles after these scenes??

*clears throat loudly*

And now for something else. A dear friend of mine gave me a book called The Language of Flowers a few years ago for my birthday, which is absolutely gorgeous. For each flower there are beautiful old-fashioned pictures, poetry, and information. I thought it would be an interesting Valentine's Day activity to look and see which flowers mean or have something to do with love. 

Chrysanthemum: "I Love"

Specifically, that is what red chrysanthemums mean. Yellow means "slighted love" and white means "truth".

(When I think about the word 'chrysanthemum', I hear Anne Shirley in my head: "c-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-h-E *piercing and proud look at Gilbert*-m-u-m.")

Forget-me-not: "True Love"

I've always thought forget-me-nots are quite romantic. Just look at the name. (But I must keep writing this post instead of thinking up some romantic story involving forget-me-nots...)

Lilac: "First Emotions of Love"

I do love the scent and color of lilacs. 

Rose: "Love" 

And here are some specifics:

White Rose - Purity and Spiritual Love

Yellow Rose - Decrease of Love and Infidelity (what's up with the yellow flowers?)

Cabbage Rose - Ambassador of Love

Musk Rose - Capricious Beauty

Single Rose - Simplicity 

Tulip: "Declaration of Love"

Although it is a red tulip that specifically means that.

Other meanings are: 

Variegated Tulip - Beautiful Eyes

Yellow Tulip - Hopeless Love

Here are some others with lovely meanings:

Bluebell - constancy

Camellia - perfected loveliness

Daisy - innocence

Honeysuckle - sweetness of disposition

Jasmine - grace and elegance

Lily - purity

Violet - modesty

Water Lily - purity of heart

(Though Lavender may be lovely, I do not recommend you give it to your beloved as it means "distrust". ha)

And these are only the ones I found in my book, which must, of course, be limited. (No scarlet pimpernels: sorry, fans.)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Emma Sings: movie comparison

Of all the Jane Austen movies, it seems to me that Emma is the one with the most number of major movies; there are three which are well-made and tolerably faithful to the book. I rather like to compare them all.

Looking at the movies as a whole, my favorite is the 2009 BBC mini-series with Romola Garai; but it is fun to take specific scenes and compare them, because each movie has some good points that the others do not.

There are really a lot of different things to compare in the scene where Emma sings (Frank joining right in) at the Cole's dinner party, including the featured song. I'm going to present all 3 here, and have multiple polls at the end in which to vote.

1: "Silent Worship" from the 1996 Miramax film

Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma and Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill

Thank you, Miss Laurie, for the sound file!

Lyrics:
Did you not hear My Lady / Go down the garden singing / Blackbird and thrush were silent / To hear the alleys ringing
Oh saw you not My Lady / Out in the garden there / Shaming the rose and lily / For she is twice as fair.
Though I am nothing to her / Though she must rarely look at me / And though I could never woo her / I love her till I die
Surely you heard My Lady / Go down the garden singing / Silencing all the songbirds / And setting the alleys ringing.
But surely you see My Lady / Out in the garden there / Rivaling the glittering sunshine / With the glory of golden hair.

Song information:
The Italian version of this song was originally from an opera by Handel, but the version in this movie was adapted by Arthur Somervell in 1928. Had Emma been a real person she never could have sung that in her time. Wikipedia informs me that the original aria was recorded in one of Jane Austen's songbooks which leads me to imagine that's why they used it; but I've done no further research on the subject.

Some thoughts on the clip:
   Right before this scene, Mr. Cole asks Emma to perform; she says she fears she lacks the talent, to which Mr. Cole responds "Perhaps I should ask Miss Fairfax." The next second shows Emma playing. I always find this amusing.
   I love watching Mr. Knightley's reaction in each version when Frank starts singing!
   When I watched Frank Churchill in this scene the word 'imp' kept coming to my mind. By the way, that Frank really does need a haircut.
   This song and performance seems more sentimental than the others.

2: "Father, Father Build me a Boat" from the 1996 A&E adaptation
STARTS 0:38, ends 1:28

{Note 1/16: Video not currently on YouTube.}

Kate Beckinsale as Emma and Raymond Coulthard as Frank

Lyrics:

It was early in the month of May, / Down by the green hills I chanced to stray. / I heard a young maiden sigh and say that the man she loved / Had strayed away.

Oh, father, father build me a boat, / For it's over to Ireland I'm yearning to float / To search for my true love through tempest and storm / For I know in his arms / I'm safe from all harm.

Song information:

Most things I read say it's 'traditional', but some things list Herbert Hughes as the composer. He was also a collector folk songs as well as a song writer however, so he might not have actually written it; if he did it wouldn't have been around when Emma was set, as he wasn't even born until 1882.

Some thoughts on the clip:

   There seems to be much less of a focus on this scene than in the version with Gwyneth Paltrow. 

   The Mr. Knightley in this version is so scowlish! 

   I still can't decide whether I like Rupert Evans as Frank better than Raymond Coulthard or not...

3: "Bluebells of Scotland" from the 2009 BBC mini-series
STARTS 6:04

 

Romola Garai as Emma and Rupert Evans as Frank

Lyrics:

Oh where, tell me, where is your Highland laddie gone? / Oh where, tell me, where is your Highland laddie gone? / He's gone with streams of banners where noble deeds are done / And my sad heart will tremble till he comes safely home. 

Oh where, tell me, where did your Highland laddie stay? / Oh where, tell me, where did your Highland laddie stay? / He dwelt beneath the holly bush beside the rushing Spey / Where your blessing followed him the night he went away.

He dwelt beneath the holly bush beside the rushing Spey / And many a blessing followed him the night he went away.

Song information:

It's a Scottish folk song. From what I can find out, it was composed after the time period of Emma as well. *Sigh* So much for authenticity. 

I was having an immensely difficult time finding lyrics online to match the words in the movie, so what's up there is directly from the subtitles. I suppose these words are different than the ones generally used.

Some thoughts on the clip:

   I like the lightheartedness of this one. It seems so Emma-ish. And Frank-ish, for that matter.

   Did you notice this is the only one where Emma doesn't stop singing when Frank starts?

   Poor Mr. Knightley...

Conclusion and polls

Even after writing all that, I still don't have a favorite. I'm going to make a number of polls and whichever version gets the most votes total will get the ending vote! :-) I hope you have fun voting, too. And don't forget to tell me what you voted! I will probably do so in a comment.

Favorite Emma singer

Gwyneth PaltrowKate BeckinsaleRomola Garai

pollcode.com free polls

Favorite Frank singer

Ewan McGregorRaymond CoulthardRupert Evans

pollcode.com free polls

Best Emma and Frank duet

Paltrow and McGregorBeckinsale and CoulthardGarai and Evans

pollcode.com free polls

(I don't like using people's last names only, but I didn't want to bother writing out their full names and felt funny using only first names...)

Favorite song choice

"Silent Worship" "Father, Father, Build me a Boat""Bluebells of Scotland"

pollcode.com free polls

Best Emma and Frank acting

1996 Miramax1996 AandE2009 BBC

pollcode.com free polls

As you're probably getting tired of all the polls, I will refrain from making one or two about Emma's hairstyles and dresses.

Favorite 'Emma Sings' scene overall

Miramax 1996 filmAandE 1996 movieBBC 2009 mini-series

pollcode.com free polls

Now. Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to see more comparisons of particular scenes from the Emmas? Which of the versions have you seen so far?
Oh, one more thing. I would appreciate your vote on the sidebar poll if you haven't already voted.