In which I ponder Austen heroes
Yesterday was the anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, and when I tweeted about it, inevitably Darcy's name came up. And of course that got me thinking about Austen heroes besides Darcy. We do love Fitzwilliam devotedly, don't we? We talk about him almost to the complete exclusion of all other Austen gentlemen. Sad, really. (Although we really have to blame Jane Austen for creating such a delectable character.) But she fashioned some other rather intriguing men as well. Willoughby and Wickham do have some bad boy glamour, but they are ultimately disappointing, revealing themselves to be feckless and unreliable. (Sad really, that Willoughby is more memorable than either of the actual heroes of Sense and Sensibility, no?) And the less said about Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, the better. Don't mistake me, there is no such thing as BAD Jane Austen. But for the purposes of commanding and virile heroes, these fall a little shy of the mark.
No, I think if we put Darcy aside, we have to turn to Knightley and Wentworth for inspiration. Knightley has an admirably firm hand with Emma--a tremendously attractive quality in smallish doses. And Wentworth, well, any man who can write that letter--you know the one--is deserving of our swoons. So, I wonder, readers, which Austen hero curls your bonnet ribbons? Besides, Darcy, of course...
No, I think if we put Darcy aside, we have to turn to Knightley and Wentworth for inspiration. Knightley has an admirably firm hand with Emma--a tremendously attractive quality in smallish doses. And Wentworth, well, any man who can write that letter--you know the one--is deserving of our swoons. So, I wonder, readers, which Austen hero curls your bonnet ribbons? Besides, Darcy, of course...
Comments
I have to join the Henry
I have to join the Henry Tilney contingent here - of Darcy it is noted that he has yet to learn to laugh at himself (good luck with that one, Lizzie), and as much as I adore Wentworth, he did indulge in a lengthy petulant strop with Anne that nearly ruined both their lives, not to mention that he'll be off to war again not long after the close of the novel. So it's Tilney all the way - smart, funny, strong and loyal (he risks his father's wrath for Catherine)- all I need to do now is manage to identify more with Cathy and keep the image of J.J.Field firmly in mind...
Wentworth, Wentworth! Gotta
Wentworth, Wentworth! Gotta love a man in a uniform!
I nurture a passion for
I nurture a passion for Colonel Brandon too. Strong, silent, passionate without being forward. Sigh.
Darcy aside, yes, I agree
Darcy aside, yes, I agree with you. A man who can write a letter such as that one deserves our respect and shameless love.But remember I said Darcy aside.
Mr. Knightly, although I feel
Mr. Knightly, although I feel the unfaithfulness of keying in another name than Darcy's. BTW and slightly askew from topic: British author Julian Stockwin's new book introduces a minor character based (tightly) on Jane Austen's actual brother. The character refers to his sister's scribbles and blesses her heart for wanting to be a published author. I really did laugh out loud at that one.
Another Northanger/Tilney
Another Northanger/Tilney lover here. I'm also a huge fan of Mansfield Park, but I agree that Edmund is not the greatest hero. I love Mansfield for all the dark ideas simmering just under the surface. It leaves me to wonder what Austen would have come up with had she lived longer.
Another Persuasion fan here.
Another Persuasion fan here. Captain Wentworth is a wonderfully sexy and romantic figure. The letter alone won him huge romance points. As for the films though, I have to say I prefer the Ciaran Hinds/Amanda Root version. It may be my favorite Austen adaptation ever. Such a beautiful film.
Austen stud--I have died. I
Austen stud--I have died. I am totally using that one.
Persuasion is one of my
Persuasion is one of my favourite books so Wentworth has always been my Austen stud. Anne and Frederick aren't as glamorous and larger-than-life as Darcy and Lizzie but their romance felt more real to me. That letter just killed Mr. Ten-Thousand-A-Year :p
I actually really liked
I actually really liked Northanger Abbey. Because it's a satire, I guess I never considered Catherine as the heroine, so much as the author/narrator. I feel like because the author addresses the reader so many times, she should be considered a character, and for me, she's the real star of the novel. Her witty and sardonic comments made me laugh out loud and completely overshadowed the actual characters. Since the book makes fun of Catherine and the Gothic novel, I don't think Catherine is supposed to be seen as a sympathetic character but rather a silly one. Joslyn
Captain Wentworth for sure. I
Captain Wentworth for sure. I could not believe it when I finally got around to reading PERSUASION. What an absolute gem. It rivals P&P;, IMO.
I think I will always prefer
I think I will always prefer Mr. Knightley. Partly this is because Emma is my favorite. I haven't read Persuasion (it's on my list) but the 2007 version definitely gave me an appreciation for Wentworth (and Rupert Penry-Jones).
I remember weeping after
I remember weeping after reading Captain Wentworth's letters. As much as I had adored Austen's other leading men (...except for Edmund Bertram), this was the first time any had elicited such a reaction! I think what was even more fantastic was the fact that Anne and Wentworth persisted in--despite their best efforts NOT to--loving each other, even after what they had been through and the time that had passed. So for pure curling of bonnet ribbons...it's the Captain, hands down. Thanks for the fabulous post. :)
Marianne's Colonel Brandon is
Marianne's Colonel Brandon is a fine hero. He is steadfast, mature, sensible. Qualities that Marianne doesn't appreciate at first. But certainly excellent husband material! And he is a true romantic. My second favorite is also Captain Wentworth. This is a subject near and dear to my heart!
Knightley has always been my
Knightley has always been my favorite. Probably because he is the most sensible of all the Austen men. I love the other Austen boys, but each one of them had a fault that irritated me. Darcy wasn't forthcoming until nearly the end, Wentworth was bitter, Brandon was gloomy, Edward F. was trapped, etc. Though each of these issues is overcome before the end, Knightley is the only one who seems to have it the most together. I'm not the biggest fan of Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park is a little too all in the family (if you get my meaning) for me. So if I could pick my Austen hero, Knightley is my man. Now if I could be an Austen girl, Eleanor Dashwood for sure.
I have always had a soft spot
I have always had a soft spot for Frederick Wentworth and his lovely words: You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me that I am not too late.
I do love Captain Wentworth.
I do love Captain Wentworth. I'm sorry to say that is was only this year I read Persuasion but I have already been to my favorite parts to re-read. I did enjoy reading Northanger Abbey and J.J. Fields was fantastic as Henry Tilney in the movie.
Captain Fredrick Wentworth
Captain Fredrick Wentworth from Persuasion. I liked him a lot in the book, I mean, the man can certainly write a love letter (what other possible response can there be to "You pierce my soul" but to fall at his feet?), but then I saw the BBC's 2007 version with Rupert Penry-Jones in the role and that was it. Darcy is great, don't get me wrong, but Capt Wentworth is my guy.
Mr. Knightley. In fact, I am
Mr. Knightley. In fact, I am about to go home to visit my parents for the holidays and to see the cat I got in high school. His name? Mr. Knightley. (We had a golden retriever named Emma too, but she passed away)
What, no love for Henry
What, no love for Henry Tilney? The nimble-minded, kind, and above all FUNNY Mr. Tilney? I dreamed of marrying a Henry someday, and once my husband found out, he promptly named our beagle Henry. He doesn't know that he is, in fact, my Henry.
When I hear the name, Darcy,
When I hear the name, Darcy, I see Colin Firth ... and can't seem to separate the two :)So it is still Darcy for me.And Colin Firth ^_^Journey