To help celebrate Mother's Day, why not enjoy a couple of articles about representations of mothers in Jane Austen's works?

• Here's an "oldie but goodie" from our very own Mary Margaret Benson:  "Mothers, Substitute Mothers, and Daughters in the Novels of Jane Austen," published in Persuasions, #11, in 1989. The full article is available online to read here at http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number11/benson.htm
• Here's a recent blog post on the Jane Austen Info blog, "Cassandra Leigh, Jane Austen's mother, and representations of mothers in her novels," available to read online here at http://janeausteninfo.wix.com/blog#!Cassandra-Leigh-Jane-Austens-mother-and-representations-of-mothers-in-her-novels/nbptv/56dc065d0cf2cacdc4254c52​

Here are details for the March 13 meeting to the reading group, from our discussion leaders Nelson and Robin Bridwell.

This meeting will be an opportunity for all of us to become better acquainted with Jane Austen’s extended family. Please feel free to prepare yourself for as many of the following activities as you find appealing.
 
Destination: Golden Globes
 
The head of the studio has just called you to complain that they have totally exhausted every conceivable Jane Austen movie plot, and consequently need you to come up with a film script that centers upon another member of her extended family. Present a brief pitch for a new film about another member of her family that you feel could be a box office hit and a significant contender for motion picture awards. At the meeting, the group will vote on “Jannie” awards for the best drama, romance, and comedy.
 
What’s my line?
 
In this variation on the 1950s television quiz show, you can volunteer to play the part of a member of Jane’s extended family. Around the room, other members of the group will take turns asking you one yes/no question until someone has identified who you are.
 
An Austen Weekend
 
As everyone knows, amazing, surprising, and sometimes tragic things happen in bucolic English country estates, especially in Hampshire! As luck would have it, you find yourself invited to spend an idyllic weekend at such a place. Which Austen family member would you bring along with you, and why?
 
Trivia Quiz
 
In this activity, a series of facts will be stated about various members of Jane’s family. For each fact, everyone will be invited to identify which family member this fact applies to. The person who first identifies the correct family member for each fact will win one point. At the end, the person with the most points will win a nifty prize.

This link comes from member Debbie Guyol and is really interesting! The title of the article is called "Jane Austen's Collection of Critical Feedback From Her (Sometimes Harsh) Friends and Family" and is online here at http://alturl.com/ycvje.

This is a transcript of JA's personal compilation of various readers' opinions of Mansfield Park. The manuscript of the same for Emma is also linked in the article, but not transcribed. Fascinating!

At our September meeting, Regional Coordinator Kim Higgins mentioned an interesting article online about Jane Austen's aunt, Jane Leigh-Perrot, who had been arrested for shoplifting in August 1799. The article was written by author Paul Emanuelli. 

Despite her personal wealth, Jane Leigh-Perrot was arrested for "grand theft," accused of stealing white lace from a shop in Bath. The lace was valued at four times the five shillings that carried the death sentence at that time! 

For more on this interesting case, please visit the article, "Law & Order and Jane Austen's Aunt" at the Jane Austen's World web site. The direct link is http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/law-order-and-jane-austens-aunt-by-paul-emanuelli/.