“Sense and Sensibility”…..HOW EXCITING!!!

Hey everyone

It is daylight Savings Time over here, so I am up at the equivalent of 6:30 am and quite enjoying it….no one else is up. A lot of times I actually will get up at six o’ clock anyways. Daylight Savings Times is always strange, because the clock in here says 7:30, but you look outside and it is still a little dark. Wow, I’m rambling. I guess the time change is affecting me (and I didn’t think it would). I was just kidding about it affecting me (I can get a little dramatic early in the morning). The time change doesn’t bug me. In fact, I feel quite awake, although I did work the late night shift last night. Today’s my day off though, so I am feeling quite good.

Anyways, I just finished Jane Austen’s book “Sense and Sensibility” and I found it quite thrilling……sounds weird, but it is quite true. I about had a heart attack when “Edward Ferris” came back to “Elinor” after she thought he was married. “Sense and Sensibility” runs along pretty much the same lines as “Pride and Prejudice,” but in certain ways it isn’t like it at all. It is about these three girls (in the 18th century) whose father dies and all three of them are left to their own devices (with their mother taking care of them). Now in those days all the money from the father went to men. So, that is exactly what happens, their brother receives the dough. In this book the sisters “Elinor”, “Marianne,” and “Margaret” are out learning to be themselves and maybe fall in love. “Elinor” falls into a pretty healthy relationship….until she finds out he is engaged. “Marianne” falls into a bad relationship with this guy who is just using her for his own sport. It all turns alright in the end, but it is one bumpy ride into the human psychology.

“Elinor” is a great character in itself, because she is so kind. She sees the good in everyone. She is also the more level-headed of all the characters. Probably one of the only characters in the book that you would  consider well-rounded. My favorite character in the book is “Marianne.” She has great spirit about her, but she can get very mired down in her circumstances. What I love “Marianne” for is that she gets out there, shows her heart and tries, although she falls pretty hard when she doesn’t get what her little yearning heart asked for. As far as the guys go….they are never quite as strong in a Jane Austen book, but that is sort of how men were back then. Plus, we have to take into account that the book was written by a woman and, therefore; understood the girl characters over the male. ”Willoughby” is one of the stronger characters. He is the one that basically seduces “Marianne” for his own means (so he can satisfy his ego). Selfish and haphazardly to the core, he brings me back to a a couple of people I have known in times go by. Then there is “Colonel Brandon” who is my absolute favorite guy character. He falls quietly in love with “Marianne” and is great friends with her sister “Elinor.” He is a little older than all the guys, but he is honorable, kind, and a good friend. The most interesting part of the characters in this book is that they are so interesting psychologically. I think part of that is that the book takes part in another place and time (for me anyways).

Has anybody ever seen the movies? If I were you I would see the version with Emma Thompson (”Elinor”), Kate Winslet (”Marianne”), Hugh Grant (”Edward Ferris”), and Alan Rickman (”Colonel Brandon”). I absolutely love it. As a plus side it is not six hours (like “Pride and Prejudice”), it is a regular length movie…….although my favorite part of “Pride and Prejudice” is that it was a six hour movie….I know, I am a Jane Austen freak and I am proud of it. The movie was very good, but naturally there is not enough time to show everything that is happening in the book. There was a lot of different versions made of the movie, but take my word for it that this is the best. I think there was even a 1930s version. I can’t be sure on that….

As far as themes go for the book….guess! That’s right, sense and sensibility in society. “Elinor” is our pivotal character in this theme, because she is the one that represents sensibility in this book. Her only way she falters from that point is because she is in love and she refuses to see how the one she loves has done her wrong. “Marianne” is our character to represent sense. She is everything about falling into the way you feel about everything around you. She is our emotional character and, therefore; represents part the part of sense. The book is about finding a balance between the two. We need to feel with our hearts, but we also need to use our heads to check it. When they do, in the book, “Marianne” gets “Colonel Brandon” and “Elinor” gets “Edward Ferris.” What a great read!

Anybody who has not tried Jane Austen has to try this book at least once. You will fall in love with the characters and Jane Austen will make you care about everything that is happening to them. My favorite Jane Austen book still is “Pride and Prejudice,” but if you are a Jane Austen virgin then “Sense and Sensibility”is a good start for you.

Also, I am really excited, because I just picked up two books. I am reading one on the lead actresses of the studio era (yay) and “The Untethered Soul,” because my mom told me I absolutely have to read it. So, read it I will (she’s got great taste in books).

I’m off to a nice relaxing day……even if the family circus is in town (that’s right my brothers are coming ). Anyways, I will talk to you all later.

Have a great day