LolPeriodDramas at Sink Me!: What do we want?

If you are following Miss Dashwood's Sink Me! blog, you may have seen that I have submitted a caption:

Sink Me! Post

The quote is from the Disney movie, Mulan.

If you like Period Drama Humor, I recommend you check out Sink Me! It is excessively diverting!

 God Bless,
  

Letter #2: Period Drama Advice Event

The second letter has now come in! This week's letter is from a Mr. Edward Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility).

Dear Period Drama Advice Column,

Mr. Ferrars is perplexed.

I find myself in a predicament. Four years ago, I became secretly engaged to a woman named Lucy Steele, the niece of my tutor in Exeter. I thought myself in love, but it was a foolish, idle inclination on my side. I have recently met my sister's sister-in-law, Elinor, and I like her a great deal. I find myself in love with her, but I cannot break my commitment to Lucy. If I were free, I would tell her that my heart is and always will be hers. Her friendship has been the most important of my life. My mother also wants me to marry the rich Miss Morton with 50,000 pounds: all I want, all I've ever wanted is the quiet of a private life, but my mother wants me distinguished. Do you think I am doing the right thing in keeping my promise to Lucy despite all of this?

Sincerely,

Edward Ferrars

How would your character(s) respond to this letter? When you post your final letter to your blog, make sure you post the link to this post! 


There are still three buttons/banners up for grabs! Good Luck!


 God Bless,
 

LolPeriodDramas: Sense and Sensibility, Emma

Added these to the Tumblr page a little while ago. Some more humor.

Oh, I also fixed my background at my Tumblr page. It is ready for viewing!


 God Bless,
 

LolPeriodDramas

Years ago, my sister introduced me to Lolcats. I didn't understand it at first, but now I've grown an appreciation for it.

In case you have never heard of Lolcats, let me tell you what they are. Basically, they are pictures of cats with captions. Usually these captions have very horrible grammar that looks like internet lingo (or lolspeak). The captions purposely have misspellings and bad grammar (which could be one of the reasons that I didn't get it at first: I'm very grammar conscious).

People have done Lolcats pictures with non-cat pictures. It really could be anything: dogs, TV shows... maybe even Period Dramas?

I've been experimenting with making Lol captions with period dramas. Let me know what you all think.

Who knows, if these are a success, I may start up a blog about them... but that might not be for a while.


 God Bless,
 

Sense and Sensibility Week Questions

 As I have been saying, Miss Georgiana Darcy is holding a special blog week for Sense and Sensibility! To get everyone involved, there is a little tag with questions about Sense and Sensibility! Here are my answers!

1: When did you first read Sense and Sensibility?  Have you reread it since?  I first read Sense and Sensibility about three years ago. I haven't reread it since, but maybe one day I will.

2: When did you first watch Sense and Sensibility? Which adaptation was it?
Oooh! Not quite sure when I first saw my first adaptation. It must have been a couple of months before I read the book (Yes, I saw the movie before reading the book). I think I saw my first adaptation during the summer and started to read the book in late fall of the same year. My first adaptation was the 1995 movie and I loved it!

3: If you have watched/heard of more than one adaptation which one was your favorite? I've seen both the 1995 movie and the 2008 miniseries. I've seen a couple of minutes of the 1981 version and we own the DVD for the 70s version, but haven't watched it yet, so I can only comment on the 1995 movie and 2008 miniseries. While the 2008 version is closer to the book plotwise, it didn't capture the tone of the book well; while Sense and Sensibility isn't as bright and happy as Pride and Prejudice or Emma, it's not Wuthering Heights either. It's more of a serious book with some humor in it, but not a dark book. The 1995 movie captured the tone a lot better: it was much better lit than the 2008 version.


4: Which three S&S characters drive you crazy?
Willoughby -- He is probably one of the characters I dislike the most. He doesn't take consequences and pretty much got away with his behavior towards Eliza Williams and Marianne. He was mean to Colonel Brandon behind his back and influenced Marianne to think badly of him:
Elinor then heard Willoughby say, in a low voice to Marianne, "There are some people who cannot bear a party of pleasure. Brandon is one of them. He was afraid of catching cold I dare say, and invented this trick for getting out of it. I would lay fifty guineas the letter was of his own writing."
"I have no doubt of it," replied Marianne. (Chapter 13)

Fanny Dashwood - She shows no sensitivity to the Dashwood women when she takes over Norland. Mrs. Dashwood lost a husband, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret lost a father, they don't get much of an inheritance and they have to find a different home to live in: yet Fanny shows no compassion. Sure, she allows them to stay at Norland for a while, but she didn't try to ease their pain - she just wants them to get out.

Lucy Steele - I hated the way she held her engagement to Edward over Elinor's head. That was the only reason she even mentioned her engagement to Elinor: just to hold it over her head. It was very wrong.

5: Which heroine are you most like: Elinor or Marianne?
I'm probably a mixture of both. I'm not a romantic like Marianne, but I don't keep a stiff upper lip like Elinor all the time. I'm probably have a little more Elinor in me since I tend to use sense rather than sensibility to make decisions.

6: Who would be most enjoyable: (or bearable) Mr. Palmer or Mrs. Palmer?
Maybe Mr. Palmer. You could probably have an intelligent conversation with him. Though if you wanted a laugh, Mrs. Palmer would be okay.

7: What would be your reaction if you saw a re-write of Sense and Sensibility where it was Elinor who married Colonel Brandon?
No! No! No! It's not right! Elinor has to marry Edward and Marianne has to marry Colonel Brandon! End of story! And (like my other bloggers have said) what would become of Edward and Marianne! They can't marry each other!

8: Where does Sense and Sensibility rank in your list of favorite Austen novels?
2nd. It's very close behind Pride and Prejudice. There are so many similarities between Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, they almost go together. They have a lot of things in common.

God Bless,
 

Sense and Sensibility Limericks

For Sense and Sensibility week, there is a fan-fiction contest that includes poems. I'm usually not one for poetry unless it is humorous and clever, but I gave a try to writing a couple of limericks about Sense and Sensibility. I'm afraid that I'm not very good at poetry (or I just hadn't had enough practice at it), but I'd like to know what you think.

Mrs. Jennings

Mrs Jennings, two daughters married,

Needed something new that varied.

She found two girls named Dashwood

Of which marry they should,

So that from them flowers down the aisle would be carried.

Edward and Elinor

Elinor meet a man named Edward,

which was something his sister abhorred.

Though, Edward was engaged

to a girl that his heart would have plagued,

To Elinor his heart soared.

Willoughby's Departure

Willoughby was a charming fellow

That some would have even called mellow.

From Marianne did he depart,

from which broke her heart,

And caused grief to bellow.

Margaret Dashwood

Margaret Dashwood was a child

That some may have thought to be wild.

She found it to be at adequacy,

That our only option be piracy.

Those around her would have smiled.

Which ones are you favorite?


 God Bless,
 

More Icons!

There are 15 more icons made! Enjoy!









 God Bless,
 

Jane Austen: The Music (Piano Sheet Music)

Last January, I started to learn how to play the piano. I still a beginner, but I'm on the lookout for new sheet music. Yesterday, this came in the mail...

Jane Austen: The Music! It features music from both Pride and Prejudice (1995) and Sense and Sensibility (1995).

I love how for Mr. Collins's theme, it says to play it "Pompously"! 

There were also pages talking about the plot of both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. It kind of irritated me, though, that they were calling Edward "Edward Ferrar". IT'S FERRARS!

But alas! There wasn't a picture for Pride and Prejudice!

The music is a bit advanced for me, so it will be a while before I can play anything (I can only play part of treble cleft for a lot of the songs). But anyone who loved the music in Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and who can play the piano will really enjoy this book. Here are the songs in there (and a good list of songs it is!):

From Sense and Sensibility
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
A Particular Sum
My Father's Favourite
Patience
All the Delights of the Season
Steam Engine
Willoughby
Excellent Notion
Combe Magna
There is Nothing Lost
The Dreame

and, from Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice (opening theme)
Elizabeth Observed
Canon Collins
The Gardiners
Rosings
Farewell to the Regiment
Pemberley
Thinking About Lizzy
Lydia's Wedding
Double Wedding 

View on Amazon!

 God Bless,  

Lists: Top 10 Favorite Heroes

Due to the great response to my "Top 10 Favorite Heroines" post, I put together my Top 10 Favorite Heroes! Enjoy!

1. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) 
Probably a very obvious answer from me! I didn't always like Mr. Darcy (c'mon, he was a bit of a jerk at the beginning of Pride and Prejudice), but after a while he grew on me once his character improved, and now he's my favorite hero! Yes, he was a bit arrogant at the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, but his arrogance decreases as the plot progresses; he's also a good brother and takes it upon himself to bring about the marriage of Lydia and Wickham after their scandal.

To me, Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy, period. He has the look of arrogance in the beginning, but then as Pride and Prejudice goes on, he has that more of a caring look. He also did all of Mr. Darcy subtle looks really well.

2. Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility)

While reading/watching Sense and Sensibility, how can you not feel sorry for Colonel Brandon? All the stuff that he had to go through and yet he doesn't complain about it. As much as I like Marianne Dashwood, I still thought she was really mean about Colonel Brandon (Willoughby made fun of him and she went along with it). He was able to act like a gentleman while Willoughby was apart of the party.

I did like David Morrissey's Colonel Brandon, but it seemed like something was missing for him in the 2008 Sense and Sensibility. To me, Alan Rickman did a better job in the 1995 movie.

3. George Knightley (Emma)
Oh, Mr. Knightley. He tries to help Emma by telling her that she is wrong, but she doesn't listen (well, most of the time). Mr. Knightley is very caring, a great brother-in-law to Emma, a great uncle to John and Isabella's children, and (we can be sure) a great husband for Emma. He helps out his neighbors whenever he can (sending Mrs. and Miss Bates food, saving Harriet during the dance when Mr. Elton snubbed her, etc.). Overall, Mr. Knightley is a great guy and a gentleman!

Johnny Lee Miller is my favorite Mr. Knightley. I did also like Jeremy Northam's Mr. Knightley, but I think Johnny Lee Miller's was closer to the Mr. Knightley in the book... at least to my memory.

4. Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey)

When you first see Mr. Tilney in Northanger Abbey, you might find him a little odd (I know I did), but in a good way. When you get to know him more, you can see that he likes to tease his sister Eleanor and Catherine a little bit in a friendly way. Once you know more about him, you can see that he's a caring brother and a great husband for Catherine.

I've only seen the 2007 version of Northanger Abbey (unless the Wishbone episode counts), and despite the problems it had with the screenplay, the actors were well cast. J.J. Field's Mr. Tilney was very well done.

5. Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit)
I like how Mr. Clennam tries to help out the Dorrits: he's trying to right a wrong that he thinks his family business may have done, and how many people would go through the trouble of finding out who they wronged? Plus, when he loses all his money and is in debt, he doesn't run away from his obligations, but faces them and is accountable for them. He messed up and took the consequences of it. In this world where people tend to run away from their responsibilities and obligations, Arthur Clennam is a good example of what people should do: accept responsibility and face the consequences of your actions.

I've seen both the new and older version of Little Dorrit, and I think Matthew McFayden's Arthur Clennam is the better one. His was much better acted than Derek Jacobi's Arthur Clennam, plus Derek Jacobi was just too old.

6. Edward Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility)

I don't like that Edward had Elinor like him when he wasn't supposed to, but I will say that he does do the honorable thing by staying engaged to Lucy even though he doesn't love Lucy anymore, but instead loves Elinor. He sticks to his duty even when it becomes very hard.

I prefer Dan Stevens's Edward to Hugh Grant's. Hugh Grant just looked too sickly for the role.

7. Septimas Harding (The Barchester Chronicles)
Mr. Harding was such a sweet old man! I felt sorry that in the first part of The Barchester Chronicles that Mr. Bold was going to sue him because of his salary. He was almost instantly likable, which is what you need in a series/miniseries/movie/etc. in order for people to like it. And, considering The Barchester Chronicles is an 80s miniseries, the acting has to be very good since there aren't the effects that newer period dramas have. Donald Pleasance played Mr. Harding very well. I'll definitely have to watch The Barchester Chronicles again to see what I've missed.

8/9/10 (Tied). Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham (Downton Abbey)

I've got three heroes from Downton Abbey that I like, but couldn't choose in what order. Robert is a great master of Downton. He cares for all of his employees and the surrounding area. He doesn't mope around about the entail, but instead teaches the way to run Downton to his third cousin and heir of Downton, Matthew Crawley. He also tries to be a good father to his three children and a good husband to Cora.

Hugh Bonneville played Robert in Downton Abbey. Hugh Bonneville does a very good job acting here. I can't wait to see what's in store for Robert in Series 2

8/9/10 (Tied). John Bates (Downton Abbey)
Poor Mr. Bates... He arrives at Downton with a limp and most of the staff thinks he can't do his job... But he persists at his job and he gains everyone's respect (well except for a few). He's almost in an Edward Ferrars position except he's actually married instead of engaged: he loves Anna, one of the maids, but he remembers his duty to his wife. He tries to do the honorable thing while at Downton. I wonder what will happen with him in Season 2 (I'm hoping they don't ruin his character like what sometimes happens when series go on).

John Bates is played by Brenden Coyle. I first saw Brenden Coyle in Lark Rise to Candleford as Laura Timmins's father, Robert. I must say that I like John Bates better than Robert Timmins: Robert became too much of a jerk after awhile.

8/9/10 (Tied). Matthew Crawley (Downton Abbey)

At first, you have to warm up to Matthew a little bit since he tries so hard not to change (and since the Crawleys at Downton Abbey are one of the first characters we've seen, it might be a little easier to side with them). But then when Matthew gets settled in near Downton, he really tries hard to learn how to run the estate. He takes an interest in fixing up the cottages in the surrounding area and as Robert's family likes him more and more, we start to like him more and more.

Dan Stevens, who also played Edward Ferrars in the 2008 Sense and Sensibility, plays Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey.

I will say that I started to read Mansfield Park a little while ago and Edmund Bertram looks promising. Maybe he might bump someone off the list in the future? But as for now, this is the list of my top favorite heroes!


What do you think of my list? Are there some heroes in my list that you would include in your top favorite heroes? Who would you include in your list? Leave a comment!

 God Bless,