Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Austen Thoughts

Would you like to have lived during this time period? Why or why not?

Although there are many time periods that would have been far worse to live in, I don't have any particular desire to live in the 19th century. I'm accustomed to my lifestyle, and I think it would be very difficult to suddenly find myself in a time with completely different social customs, fashion, and technology. To be perfectly honest, I still haven't even deciphered the social protocol of my own time. 
Also, the Bennet's are a wealthy family (Does Mr. Bennet even have a job?), and the comfortable life that they life isn't shared by most of the residents of England in this time period. The rigid, monetary hierarchy of the 19th century defines their society, and finding a suitable husband seems almost impossible. One man makes too much to even consider you as a potential wife, while another man is too poor to be worth your interest. How on earth is anyone expected to get married? Even their chauvinistic views toward women can't compare to this stupidity.
I suppose the previously mentioned topic of marriage was what bothered me the most. Besides that, I can't find much wrong with the way they live. I enjoy the way they talk, it sounds so sophisticated! I can't even imagine being expected to sound so refined and elegant during normal conversation. I'm not quite sure if my mind could keep up with them though. I often find myself rereading particularly challenging bits, so I suppose I'm content admiring their language from afar.
  All in all, I wouldn't be too thrilled if I was suddenly required to live during the time of Pride and Prejudice. I do, however, admire various aspects of their culture, and I wouldn't be completely opposed to living there.






(Also, they have these side-burn curls...)



















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