Sense and Sensibility, October or November?

Writing about the Sense and Sensibility's Bicentennary, I came across a discrepancy in the first edition publication's date. Reading Jane Austen: Facts and Problems, by R. W. Chapman I found the following date in the Chronology Index:

1811 Nov. Sense and Sensibility: A Novel. In three volumes. By a Lady. T. Egerton.

In the edition (2006) of Sense and Sensibility by Cambridge , with Janet Todd's presentation, she mentions Deirdre Le Faye's chronology, with the month of October. The precise day is October 30:

1811
February JA starts planning Mansfield Park.
30 October S&S published.
? Winter JA starts revising ‘First Impressions’ into Pride and Prejudice.

Perhaps there is a study on these dates, but I could not find it. And that is why I am asking your help. Thank you all!

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Jane Austen Throwdown: Mrs. Ferrars' Parenting Style

Mrs. Ferrars, Jean Marsh

While aware that almost all of Jane Austen's parents have their character flaws, I have chosen one parent who has been on my mind lately: Mrs Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility. Which child was the most negatively affected by her lack of parenting skills, whether by personality or economic circumstance or choice of mate?

Which sibling was most affected by Mrs. Ferrar's motherly style?

Fanny, Claire Skinner

Mrs. Fanny Dashwood

As snobbish as her mother, Mrs. Dashwood thinks only of her own consequence and comfort. She convinces her husband to disregard his promise to his dying father of making sure his step family is financially secure, and is manipulative and cruel in her actions towards the Dashwood women after Mr. Dashwood's death. Fanny echoes her mother's sentiments about Edward's choices in life, and favors Robert,  Meanspirited, self-absorbed, and myopic about her own fortune, this bitter nut did not fall far from the matriarchal tree.

Edward, Dan Stevens

Edward Ferrars

As eldest son, Edward is commanded to do his mother's bidding. He felt that had he been given some employment and something useful to do in his earlier years, his 18-year-old self would not have had the time to pursue his romantic inclinations towards Lucy Steele, and that he would have soon gotten over his tendre towards this most unsuitable woman. He is disinherited by his mother when she learns about his engagement to Lucy, and must make his own way in the world on a barely livable income, watching his brother reap the financial rewards that were his by right. Imagine what good deeds Edward and his thrifty Elinor might have accomplished had his mother approved of his marriage to a more worthy woman than Lucy ( which she failed to see) and provided him with a larger income.

Robert, Leo Bill

Robert Ferrars

Robert, an effete snob if ever there was one, is as mean-spirited as his sister. Although he is recipient of his brother's fortune, he lack of empathy for Edward's situation. He also lacks his sister Fanny's instinct for self-preservation, and makes the mistake of marrying Lucy Steele. After sitting in his mother's proverbial doghouse for a while, he and Lucy are welcomed back with open arms and her full support. But Lucy is as calculating and manipulative as ever and makes his life hell, so that soon all the couple does is quarrel. In Robert's case, beware what you wish for.

Which sibling was most affected by Mrs. Ferrars' motherly style?
	Fanny Dashwood
	Edward Ferrars
	Robert Ferrars
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Jane Austen Duel

This week's post asks you to examine the weapon Willoughby would have preferred when Colonel Brandon challenged him to a duel. The practice was already out of favor when Jane Austen wrote Sense and Sensibility, and outlawed in England in 1840. Colonel Brandon was quite cryptic in his description of the event to Elinor:

Pistols being readied

... when he returned to town, which was within a fortnight after myself, we met by appointment, he to defend, I to punish his conduct. We returned unwounded, and the meeting, therefore, never got abroad."

Duels were fought in isolated areas at the break of dawn

And so we ask you, which weapons do you think Willoughby chose? Sword or pistol? Did he want closeness during the fight, or distance?

Which weapon did Willoughby choose to fight Colonel Brandon in a Duel?
	Sword
	Pistol
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Jane Austen Etiquette Throwdown

In your estimation, which of Marianne's etiquette faux pas in Sense and Sensibility was most egregious?

Willoughby cuts a lock of Marianne's hair

Which of Marianne's etiquette faux pas was most egregious?
	Allowing her rudeness to show to people she dislikes.
	Allowing Willoughby to cut a lock of her hair.
	Visiting Allenham alone with Willoughby.
	Mocking Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Jennings and the Middletons behind their backs.
	Accepting the gift of a horse from Willoughby.
	Writing letters to Willoughby when she arrives in London.
	Making a spectacle of herself when she sees Willoughby at the ball.
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Marianne accepts the gift of a horse from Willoughby

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

Two of Jane Austen's heroines have been on my mind lately. Known for their restraint, they must bear their burdens silently before love comes knocking at their door.

Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility: Poor Elinor. Not only did she have to endure her sister, Marianne's, histrionic outpouring of grief over her loss of Willoughby, but she had to offer her support while keeping Edward Ferrar's engagement to Lucy Steele a secret. Lucy, a creepy and manipulative woman if ever there was one, targeted Elinor as her confidante on purpose, repeatedly pouring salt in the wound as she shared secrets that Elinor was honor bound to keep to herself. Not only did Elinor bear her sorrow silently as Marianne accused her of a lack of romantic feeling, but even her ally, Colonel Brandon, caused her great pain by asking her to inform Edward in person of Colonel Brandon's gift to him of a living at the parsonage at Delaford. While Elinor's heart was breaking, she had to tell Edward that he now had the means to marry Lucy.

Anne Elliot, Persuasion: Long-suffering Anne. For seven years she has regretted her decision to break off her relationship with Captain Wentworth at the urging of Lady Russell, who meant well. For seven years, her spirits have flagged, even as she lost her bloom. Suddenly he walks into her life, rich, successful, and handsome, and begins to court the Musgrove Sisters. Anne endures the situation in silence, not realizing that the Captain, while still mad with her, is in equal agony. With no one to turn to, not her selfish sister Mary, not her arrogant father and older sister Elizabeth, not even her good friend Lady Russell, Anne must endure the presence of the handsome captain, knowing she has lost him and that he will belong to someone else soon.

Gentle readers, for which lady does your heart ache more? Elinor or Anne?

For which Jane Austen heroine does your heart ache more?
	Long suffering Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
	Long suffering Anne Elliot, Persuasion
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Silent Monday

This year marks the 199th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen showcases her wonderful dry wit over and over in this novel, as exemplified in the following passage:

After breaking up with Willoughby, Marianne grieves his absence quite publicly. She,  Elinor, and Margaret wander about the village of Allenham when they unexpectedly encounter Edward Ferrars, who has arrived for a visit. Marianne asks how dear, dear Norland looks.

Fall in Missoula. Photo from @The Uprising

"Dear, dear Norland," said Elinor, "probably looks much as it always does at this time of year. The woods and walks thickly covered with dead leaves."

"Oh!" cried Marianne, "with what transporting sensations have I formerly seen them fall! How have I delighted, as I walked, to see them driven in showers about me by the wind! What feelings have they, the season, the air altogether inspired! Now there is no one to regard them. They are seen only as a nuisance, swept hastily off, and driven as much as possible from the sight."

"It is not every one," said Elinor, "who has your passion for dead leaves."

Image from I Love Fall in Shelley's The Uprising. She has contributed book reviews to Jane Austen Today and Jane Austen's World.

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Curious readers: 199 years and one day ago, Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility was published. Oh, joy!  Last week we featured Marianne Dashwood walking in the rain in two film adaptations (Kate Winslet won hands down). This week we ask you: "Which man carried Marianne in his arms in a most romantic way?Willoughby or Colonel Brandon?" Let the votes begin!

Greg Wise as Mr. Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility 1995

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility 1995

Dominic Cooper as Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility 2008

David Morrisey as Colonel Brandon on his wedding day in Sense and Sensibility 2008

Who carried Marianne Dashwood in the most romantic way?
	Greg Wise as Willoughby
	Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon
	Dominic Cooper as Willoughy
	David Morrisey as Colonel Brandon
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Jane Austen Movie Throwdown: Which Actress Walked Best in the Rain?

Ah, Sense and Sensibility. There are many scenes in the last two film adaptations that simply are not in Jane's novel. Nevertheless, they make for great cinematic melodrama. Take the reason for Marianne's illness, for example. Jane describes the onset of her illness at Cleveland as being a tad less dramatic than the rain walks depicted in the films:

Kate Winslet quotes Shakespeare in the rain as she gazes longingly at Willoughby's house

Two delightful twilight walks on the third and fourth evenings of her being there, not merely on the dry gravel of the shrubbery, but all over the grounds, and especially in the most distant parts of them, where there was something more of wildness than in the rest, where the trees were the oldest, and the grass was the longest and wettest, had—assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet shoes and stockings—given Marianne a cold so violent as, though for a day or two trifled with or denied, would force itself by increasing ailments on the concern of every body, and the notice of herself. Prescriptions poured in from all quarters, and as usual, were all declined. Though heavy and feverish, with a pain in her limbs, and a cough, and a sore throat, a good night's rest was to cure her entirely; and it was with difficulty that Elinor prevailed on her, when she went to bed, to try one or two of the simplest of the remedies.

The wind WHIPS Kate/Marianne's cape and gown

Marianne got up the next morning at her usual time; to every inquiry replied that she was better, and tried to prove herself so, by engaging in her accustomary employments. But a day spent in sitting shivering over the fire with a book in her hand, which she was unable to read, or in lying, weary and languid, on a sofa, did not speak much in favour of her amendment; and when, at last, she went early to bed, more and more indisposed...

In 2009, Charity Wakefield WALKED the walk

Such a scene would not have been dramatic enough for a film,and thus we have Marianne wandering in the rain searching for Combe Magna, Willoughby's house.

Charity as Marianne welcomes the rain drops

Who walked the walk best? Curious minds want to know.

Whose Walk in the Rain is Best?
	Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood
	Charity Wakefield as Marianne Dashwood
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Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Today is Mother's Day and I wish much happiness and joy to all the mothers who read this blog. In today's Jane Austen Movie Throwdown we ask you to consider the mothers in Sense and Sensibility, and to rank them from the best mother to the worst. I used the images from 2008 Sense and Sensibility, except in the case of Mrs. Palmer, whose image I took from the 1996 film. This week we ask you to

Rank the Mothers from Best to Worst

Janet McTeer as Mrs. Dashwood, 2008

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Mrs. Dashwood

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Rosanna LaVelle as Lady Middleton, 2008

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Lady Middleton

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Jean Marsh as Mrs. Ferrars, 2008

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Mrs. Ferrars

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Linda Bassett as Mrs. Jennings, 2008

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Mrs. Jennings

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Claire Skinner as Fanny Dashwood, 2008

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Fanny Dashwood

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Palmer, 1996

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Mrs. Palmer

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Truth or Fact? Sense and Sensibility

Did Greg Wise date Kate Winslet while they were filming Sense and Sensibility and before he married Emma Thompson?

Vote here, then check the facts.

Did Greg Wise date Kate Winslet while they were filming Sense and Sensibility?
	Yes
	No
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Read the article in this link.

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

This week's throwdown offers the least pleasing images we have ever chosen for this blog, but for a good reason. The three scenes represent a huge departure from Jane Austen's novels and they are quite egregious. Oh, there are more than three instances in which script writers changed Jane's plot dramatically, but these three stick particularly in my craw. For this week's throwdown you are asked to consider:

Which script deviation from Jane Austen's novels is the most egregious?

After reading his letter, Anne Elliot runs through Bath to go after Captain Wentworth in Persuasion 2007.

In the opening scene of Sense and Sensibility 2008, Willoughby seduces Eliza and presumably gets her pregnant.

In Pride and Prejudice 1940, Lady Catherine de Bourgh gives Mr. Darcy her approval to reconcile with Elizabeth Bennet.

Which changed scene is the most egregious deviation from Jane Austen's novels?
	Anne Elliot runs through Bath, Persuasion 2007
	Willoughby seduces Eliza in the opening scene of Sense and Sensibility 2008
	Lady Catherine de Bourgh encourages Mr. Darcy to propose to Elizabeth Bennet
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Latin Sense and Sensibility

Anne Lu - Celebrity News Service News Writer

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Latin actors Adriana Barraza, Camilla Belle, Wilmer Valderrama, Kuno Becker, and Alexa Vega (L to R) are set to star in an upcoming English-language Mexican-U.S. co-production film "From Prada to Nada."

Fina Torres, the Cannes Golden Camer-winner and Alma-nominated director, will be helming the contemporary take of the Jane Austen classic "Sense and Sensibility."

The Odd Lot Entertainment, Lionsgate, and Videocine film will follow the tale of two spoiled sisters who, after the sudden death of their father, are left penniless. They are forced to move in with their estranged aunt in East Los Angeles, where they ultimately find romance, as well as love for their culture.

Torres co-wrote the script with Luis Alfaro.

Read more: All Headline News: Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World