Gentle Readers, Laurel Anne from Austenprose and I were chatting the other day about this, that, and the other, for we are both a bit Jane Austen nutty (if you haven’t noticed.) As you continue reading, you will need to know only one thing: we are just a wee bit longer in the tooth than Jane’s young heroines:
LA: Vic and I were chatting on the phone today. Over the course of our three plus year Austen-inspired friendship we have mostly emailed, so this was a treat. She has the most infectious laugh which made me laugh too. Of course we were talking about our favorite author and she remarked that Austen excelled at humor and the amazing secondary characters she developed. Somehow it just popped out and I boldly asked her what Jane Austen character she most identified with. Without hesitation she replied, Lady Russell from Persuasion. “Lady Russell?” I replied in surprise! “Well, yes.”
Jane Rus.., er, Mrs. Russell
She then revealed that she is often wrong about the advice she gives people. At work she gathers the young-uns around her and freely offers opinions, whether they are solicited or not. When she gives wrong counsel – which she admits is more often than not – she torpedos herself in a most spectacular fashion. “The error of my ways does not go unnoticed by this unforgiving crowd. Unlike Lady Russell, I will own up to a misteak, er, mistake or two, and apologize for having interfered, but I hold the line at groveling.”
Another reason why she identifies with this character is her independence. Lady Russell is a widow with a healthy income and she has no intention of remarrying and being subjugated by a man. “I am a divorced woman who has discovered the joys of living singly on my own terms and by my own schedule. Ah, what total, selfish bliss!”
Vic further admitted that at a party, or when she lets her hair loose, she starts to resemble Mrs. Jennings. You know the type: a bit vulgar, out for a good time, giggling at precisely the wrong moments, and making those with a more composed nature feel uncomfortable with crass jokes and loud language. “Like Mrs. Jennings, I have a good heart. But I can be out there and in your face too. I might seem unseemly to a quieter person like Elinor, and be totally disliked by the likes of a Marianne, but my friends and family get me, and that’s what counts.”
Oh Vic! You are such a card. Lady Russell and Mrs. Jennings? She then turned the tables on me. “Now, who do you identify with in Jane’s novels? Are you like me, a bossy and interfering carouser? Or are your a bit more sedate and ladylike?”
Harriet Smith (Tony Collette) patiently poses for Emma
Vic: “Sedate. A total Harriet Smith,” LA replied. Many years ago a dear Janeite friend tagged her as a Harriet to her Emma. “It seemed appropriate since I was often asking for advice and was very mailable to change.” In her view, Harriet was a bit of a ditz and gullible which she has been accused of too. The thing she liked about being a Harriet is that Austen gave her such a great ending. She is resilient, and after being tossed about in love no less than three times in a year, Harriet gets the man she wanted in the first place and proves Emma, with her self-important airs, was totally clueless about the human heart. “I like having the last laugh, and being right.” ;-)
Sir John Middleton (Robert Hardy) and Mrs. Jennings (Elizabeth Spriggs)
Lately LA thinks she has evolved into Sir John Middleton from Sense and Sensibility. He was the Dashwood’s cousin and landlord of Barton Cottage. He is very gracious and likes to pop in and make sure his tenants are comfortable and entertained. He is a bit of a bore and talks too much about things that are not of interest to his young companions, but he likes dogs, has a good heart and loves to laugh. “As an enthusiastic bookseller, I like to inform customers of their choices and make suggestions. I am also a bit of an organizer and enjoy planning events on my blog, and orchestrating the 23 authors in my anthology. It is like herding cats, but I like being the boss of my own world!”
One man’s ways may be as good as another’s, but we all like our own best. Persuasion, Ch 13
Now our question. Which Jane Austen character do you, estimable viewer, most identify with, or which character are you afraid of becoming? Feel free to leave your comments!
Jane Austen's World 
It’s a toss up between two women either Catherine Morland or Eleanor Dashwood. But I do tend to find myself more towards Catherine Morland.
As for me, the more I read “Mansfield Park – and I must admit that I favour this novel a great deal – the more I am convinced that I identify with Fanny.
Actually, many years ago, this fact made me dislike Fanny a lot, because you really don’t want to find your reflection in a book unless it is something witty and dashing. But I have long since changed my attitude.
Though we have grown in completely different circumstances, we share a lot of common traits: low self-esteem, shyness, modesty, primness and strength of character among a few.
She may be quiet and timid, but she knows what she wants and once her opinion is settled, it never wavers. She is obliging and it is easy to push her around, but when she knows that something is wrong, she will not proceed, despite the pressure.
She is kind, sympathetic and earning for knowledge. She is often afraid to trust her own opinion or even her voice among others, but once she opens up to a person there’s a whole world to explore.
I like Fanny and I’d like to think I’m a bit like her… especially the way you describe her, Farida … she may seem timid and shy but she has integrity. I kind of like the fact that she doesn’t like to be appreciated just for her looks (at least the way it’s portrayed in the film version w/ Frances O’Connor) and is quick witted and a great writer. Yes, I like that she trusts her own judgment but is also curious about the world. Plus she’s loyal in love even when she’s unsure she’d be loved back.
What a challenging exercise which will take some considerable thought. I must admit, however, that each time I start to re-read Emma, the sentence which jumps off the paper and onto my back is found on the first page:
…”and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteemed Miss Taylor’s judgment, but directed chiefly by her own.” (so cleverly expressed.)
I know that if there were two categories to fall into, a Harriet Smith type or an Emma, that I would be in the second one!
Both have their pitfalls…
Barbara
At this point I tend to confuse my favorite characters with those portrayed in the many Jane movies. I like to give advice mainly about health related matters and nutrition but also once in a while about romance, so the character I identify with is Emma. The movie Emma that I like is with Jeremy Northam totally because of his performance, not “Emma’s”
The Austen character I most identify with — since age 13 to 14 — though I’m a little old for this one so I’m talking about inner life, is Elinor Dashwood. As a model in my mind she has helped me hold onto my sanity. The character I fear I’m most like is Miss Bates. I’m not very good at social clues and do run on.
I am very partial to Mrs. Croft in PERSUASION. She’s not afraid to say what she thinks, although she is not pushing. She chose to go with her husband as much as possible, even
though it had to have been a very difficult life (especially for a woman) in many ways, and spoke of the advantages and the travel, not the hardship. She and her husband seemed to have managed a marriage that was more of an equal partnership and a friendship than any of the other marriages portrayed in Austen.
I also like Mrs. Gardiner in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. She is an intelligent woman, who is also a realist. She gave Elizabeth very good advice, and was very straight forward. She and her husband also seemed to have a well-balanced, happy marriage.
I’m Mrs. Croft (wife of the Admiral in Persuasion). Definitely.
Lauren, Kelly, Mrs. Croft? Most definitely! But I am just too … out there. Still, she would be my best friend.
Thank you for sharing your conversation Vic and Laurel Ann.
I have the good fortune of being a near fellow-Janeite neighbor to Laurel Ann, so we go for lunch every so often and her conversation is not at all like that of a John Middleton. ;)
I’m a bit of a mix when it comes to Austen characters: Anne Elliot in that I’m observant, reserved, diplomatic, and a good listener. Emma Woodhouse in having a high opinion of myself, Fanny Price in how I’m firm in my beliefs of what’s right and wrong, and Eliza Bennet in believing myself to be a good judge of character.
I am Emma and wish I were Elizabeth Bennett but alas no Mr. Knightley ever took pity on me
I’m sometimes afraid to admit that I sympathize with and perhaps resemble most Mary Crawford. But surely someone will agree with me that Mary gets a bad rap! Is she really that much more mercenary than Lizzie Bennet? Tactless than Emma? She’s a flirt and she’s strong-willed, but she’s also very loyal and intelligent and I believe her motives are mostly good. I always kind of wish Fanny had just gone ahead and hooked up with Henry and Mary had snagged good old cousin Edmund—he needed some shaking up, anyway!
Everyone, I wish I were Lizzie – I certainly identify with her. I think Mary Crawford is quite modern and I love her character. Mostly, I must say that I love how you all are expressing Jane Austen’s various characters!
Every Austen quiz I’ve taken tells me I am Elizabeth Bennet Darcy and I couldn’t agree more. I share my opinions openly (and like hers they are sometimes wrong), I have learned over many years to become the friend of the man I married (as he has become mine). Austen seemed to be looking for men and women to grow into their relationships, and I guess that has happened.
An amusing post, this one! I’d like to think that I’m most like Elizabeth or Elinor, with wit and reserve, but in truth I’m probably more like the emotional and passionate Marianne.
Anna, I WANT to think that I identify with Elizabeth, but … LA wrung the truth from me.
I just took a quiz and I am Elinor Dashwood, which I knew, and my middle sister is MaryAnne and my youngest is Margaret, who must restrict her remarks to the weather. I always do worry about the price of beef and sugar.
–Kim
Vic – interesting to see which personalities post here. You seem to get the practical and stoic Elinor’s and Mrs. Crofts. I am being visited by a heard of Mariann’s. I am not complaining mind you, but I find it all hilarious – especially the difference in how we perceive ourselves and how others view us. Here I thought I was a Sir John Middleton, and Katherine who knows me personally heartily disagrees!!!
Now, when you told me you were Lady Russell and Mrs. Jennings, I LOL’d right back at you. I always visualize you as spirited, independent and impertinent Lizzy Bennet. Interesting observations everyone.
I was just saying on Austenprose how I have always identified with Mrs Jennings. So just now I asked my partner in crime, Lauren, who SHE thought I was. This was her response:
Lauren: Hmm
Let me think
me: yes i’m thinking on yours as well
Lauren: Marianne
me: really??
It’s interesting to know what your friends really think of you! (via Austen characters)
It so refreshing to hear your picks ladies! and your perspective on them. I’m never really good at these. It is that intense introspection of one’s self that always tends to make me uneasy; I much prefer analyzing characters. But you certainly have me thinking, and I’m quite glad to see no one thinks themselves a George Wickham yet.
I’m only George Wickham in the bedroom!
But never a hotel room ting (sorry SORRY couldn’t resist, can’t let a good jest die)
Perhaps there are some Lydias amongst your readership who, being sadder but wiser now, identify much more with who they admire and emulate, than who they resemble, to those around them.
Just a thought…
Barbara
THE CHARACTER I MOST IDENTIFY WITH WOULD HAVE TO BE ELIZABETH BENNET. SHE IS A ROMANTIC AND LOVER OF BOOKS. WHICH I AM!
The strengths that I admire most in Elizabeth Bennett are her quick wit, her resilience and her integrity!
By her own admission, “I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.”
To some extent, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
Barbara
This was fun – I am definitely becoming Sir John Middleton the older I get and I’m looking a bit like him too.
I always identified with Elizabeth and her wry way of looking at the world. However, I always got in trouble for saying things the way Elizabeth would say them, leading me to conclude that I needed lessons in seeing myself as the rest of the world sees me. Thus, I would have to say I’m most like Emma. I even christened my boat “Emma” because of that.
My username says it all. I’m Mrs. Jennings through and through. I even played her in a sketch with characters from an assortment of novels from Gulliver’s Travels, through Austen (we only read S&S in the course(, to Huck Finn.
When I was younger, I was definitely Lizzie, and always get her on the quizzes, but those quizzes don’t include Mary Crawford, Harriet Smith, or the older women.
Will anyone dare cop to being Fanny Dashwood or Mr. Eliot? :D
I would have to say that I am most like Elinor Dashwood, but with a bit of Anne Elliot and maybe even Lizzie Bennet mixed in… Is that an oxymoron?
Ya, Elinor Dashwood is a good princess. Anyway thanx jane austen for her characters.
Elinor Dashwood is a “princess” only if you don’t think that standards and ethics should control your actions.