I thought this book seemed timely, especially considering our most recent reading discussion group! :)

This writeup about a new book coming out caught my eye, especially the title of the article, "Dating tips from Dickens, Austen and Tolstoy." I was hooked! The book, titled Much Ado About Loving: What Our Favorite Novels can Teach You about Date Expectations, Not-so-great Gatsbys, and Love in the Time of Internet Personals, was co-authored by journalist Maura Kelly and Jack Murnighan, a medieval lit scholar. 

In the interview, Kelly dishes on her views on what we can learn about modern courtship from examples in Austen's novels: 

"And even with Jane Austen — even with books written during an era when courtship was so much more formal — there’s a lot of philandering and a lot of wondering about where relationships are going that feels familiar. Maybe even more, with Austen, there are questions about finding the person who will help you become your true self, and your best self — about self-realization — which feel very relevant."

What do you think? Please leave a comment!

Last Sunday, January 8, around 30 members gathered at Shirley Walker-Jones's beautiful and spacious home to enjoy a reading group about disappointed suitors in Jane Austen's novels, a lively discussion facilitated by member Pat Fulbright. Pat began with an interesting round-up of terms related to this gentleman's pursuit, including the words courtship, wooer, and suitress. Woo is an older Anglo-Saxon word, but has been adopted by the modern marketing industry. Many of the terms, such as court and suit have Norman-French origins, as well as a strong link to political or legal usage. This makes sense in context; marriage arrangements often had, and still do have, major legal implications, as detailed in several of Jane Austen's novels.

Pat counted at least 30 courtships in Austen's 6 novels, with at least 1 failed courtship in each! The group had time to discuss courtships in Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. The most spirited discussions revolved around Pride and Prejudice, and how characters changed after those critical proposal scenes. It was a treat to hear volunteers read aloud the failed proposal scenes in Pride and Prejudice (Lizzy's rejections of both Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy; also see the YouTube video above), and Emma (the carriage scene between Mr. Elton and Emma). Did Jane Austen's inclusions of so many failed proposals serve as cautionary tales for young women (and potential suitors)? Can lessons still be learned in this day and age? ;)

Pat also passed out a helpful list of questions to consider during a proposal, reproduced here for all to ponder:

• Compatibility potential -- similarities and differences of personality, values, and interest
• Relationship skills -- communication, conflict management, and openness
• Patterns from other relationships -- both romantic and non-romantic
• Family patterns and background -- parents, siblings, social class
• Character and conscience traits -- temperament, maturity, and integrity

What is your favorite courtship scene in Austen's novels? Please leave a comment and let us know!