Jane Austen discussion

Story by Elsa Solender in the collection Dancing with Mr. Darcy

Solender's story takes a look at a private event in Jane's life that we are familiar with -- her declining a marriage proposal that she had just accepted from Mr. Bigg-Wither. We have all wondered why, but this story explains it in terms we can commonly understand I think. She doubted their mental and emotional compatibility. She so doubted if he could value and pursue the things in life which were important to her. She doubted if he could make her laugh.

When considering a possible match, are these questions you have asked yourself in your own life possibly?

Oh, definitely, I have asked myself the same questions. I think it's normal, even in our world today, where women have many more opportunities to provide for themselves and grow as individuals than they previously had. If you're not compatible, you're going to end up like Charlotte Lucas, encouraging your husband to do activities away from you because you can't stand him. I take it a sign of respect for herself, not indifference to the plight of others, that Jane did not sacrifice her happiness for mere money.

This story didn't strike me as particularly that creative. It reminded me a little too much of the Miss Austen Regrets film and all the biographies I've read to date. I didn't see anything "new" in it, which I was expecting from entries is a short story competition.

Good point, Sandi. I did not like it as well as some of the others. And the story of Jane's second-day refusal is not new, but I thought story-wise it was a well-written short story.

I really feel that the selections for the book were also motivated by the editors wanting variety. As I look over the collection I see a mix: male perspective, the "historical" Jane (like this one we are discussing), lesbian relationships, very modern working women (like in Jayne), etc. Also one thing that Waters says is the stories also could reflect more of the importance of books and reading -- like one of my favorites toward the (I forgot right now the title).

So they may have been selected for variety rather than utmost original take on the world of Austen.