Friday, February 12, 2010

You lose, Mr. Darcy...



The first time I read Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen didn't seem like the wonderful writer I had heard her to be. I was, after all, 11 at the time. Apart from the fact that I didn't get much of her sense of humour, I really didn't understand what was so great about Mr. Darcy.

Then I saw the movie (with Aishwarya, I remember), and was bowled over. I saw all the chivalry Darcy was known for, and resolved never to criticise Jane Austen again.

A few days ago, I read Sense and Sensibility. It is one of Austen's lesser known works, but it is much better than Pride and Prejudice. Don't get me wrong--Pride and Prejudice has its very own place in every girl's heart. But Sense and Sensibility is much more...sensible. Or perhaps "realistic" is the word I'm looking for. It has no perfect gentleman Mr. Darcy, no just-enough intelligent Elizabeth Bennet, and no super-rich suitors. It has just ordinary characters, and though Elior is too patient sometimes, Marianne Dashwood's character is the best-drawn. It showcases all sorts of human hypocrisy and folly, and Austen's place in my list of "Best Authors of All Time" is reserved. I am currently reading Northanger Abbey, and I must say it is the best satire written during Austen's times. Highly recommended.

46 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. You were warned...I'm calling my lawyer.

    P.S: ***K Jane Austen!

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  3. I curse you...your lawyer will turn out to be a fan of Jane Austen.

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  4. i tried to read PnP once....
    i slept off after the first page itself.....
    wat a bore.....

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  5. only u english freaks can get wat she writes...

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  6. I don't think Sense and Sensibility is better.I know it is better and Jaai...you read Pride and Prejudice when you were 11.Try reading it once more..now.Btw...who is the dumbass shadeslayer? Who the heck is Arjit? Does being provocative come naturally to him or is he doing it deliberately? The movie was very well adapted.That is why it got a nomination for the Oscars.But I'm telling you.Read Pride and Prejudice once more!! Its an entirely different experience since the hormonal balance is better now!!

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  7. Mansfield Park bhi pad.Jane Austen rules!!( Saying that she rocks doesn't do her justice).Mr.Shadeslayer...since you are an insensitive male..I completely understand why you find Jane Austen boring.You have my sympathy and I will refrain from abusing on this blog since the right to speech has kept me bounded.

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  8. you won't be surprised to know who shadeslayer is...
    :P
    as for the hormonal balance, it's just twisted. :(
    and I have read Pride and Prejudice again...many times...
    Emma is good too..waiting for the Sonam Kapor wali movie...I hope they don't make crap out of it...
    as for arijit, well...

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  10. @Aishwarya Who am I? B|
    I'm the one whose only reaction is overreaction.
    You should try it yourself, feels good.
    Now may I ask who you are, Aishwarya?

    (And stop using my most-favorite-actress-of-all-time's name as your own, or I might start hitting on you helplessly)

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  11. Arjit- You are the one whose only reaction is stupidity and insensitivity.( Offense intended).I will not and need not try it.And as for using the name of your favorite actress...I can't help it and even if I could... I wouldn't.
    Jaai-- Who IS shadeslayer by the way??? Please don't tell me he is who I think it is!..... aur tune PAP akhri baar kab padi thi???

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  12. Arjit-- I'm dying to know what u posted before Jaai removed it.

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  13. He posted the same thing he's now posted and then deleted it...whimsical.
    Shadeslayer is...arey bhool gayi kya...club shopping?

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  14. @Aishwarya I maybe a lot of things, but not insensitive. :(
    I once fed an adorable little bunny with big bright eyes. It died (not my fault). But it does prove I have a heart. And I'll never take offence from what you say as along as you use that angel like, totally-captivating name of yours. But the second you use a pseudonym... WATCH. OUT. B|

    Anyway, how've you been? :]
    You don't want to stop using her name? It's okay. I understand *wink* What are you doin' this Saturday?

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  15. She's attending the weekly meeting of "People Against Isensitivity". Don't hit on my friend, I love her and wouldn't want her life to be all ruined.

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  16. *Thanks Jaai for her concern* *Laughs at Arjit's comment inspite of not wanting to do so*
    Arjit--- Did u poison the bunny or something??
    I'm thinking of using a pseudonym.Can u suggest something?
    :) I've been just fine.Thank u Mr.Jane Austen f****r

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  17. Now, now children...mellow down the abuses a bit, will you?

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  18. Aishwarya, I couldn't help notice how you've misspelled my name over & over. It makes me feel like you care enough to do that on purpose (please don't give me false hopes). :(
    Yes, I do have a couple of pseudonyms which might save you from my wrath if you switch from Aishwarya. Here they are: Emma Watson, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway & Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong aka Dido.
    However, I suggest you use your original name. It works! *wink*

    @Jaai I humbly requested your friend not use Aishwarya's name, but she chose to stick with it anyway. Now I'm helpless. B)
    She must be hit on! :)

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  19. Misspelling your name is the only thing I'm sorry for.(Like the Earth needs more Casanovas..yeesh!)

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  20. Can u help but use the name 'Arijit'??

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  21. You people are boring me terribly. Go canoodle somewhere else.

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  22. Tu chup kar.At least ur blog is getting some comments.

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  23. Aishwarya: What name would you like me to use? Abishek? The one she married for his name & money. :x (Money can't buy love, but sure helps facilitate it.) I ain't changing s***! :)
    Now, as for the 'hitting on you' part: I couldn't help notice how my comments stir up these emotions in you. Not that I'm insinuating anything, but could it be...?
    Anyway, I'd love to hear more from you. Keep in touch, RIGHT HERE! (lets annoy Jaai till she deletes this blog account).

    Jaai: Blog-flirting can seem dull to an author who isn't good at it. But I'd like to thank you for befriending a girl with such a mesmerizing name. Not that your name is any less spellbinding but, but her name somehow calls me more.

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  24. Well, I don't care if you don't find my name mesmerising. Plenty of people do, and after all, I wouldn't want to steal what is rightfully Aishwarya's. Best of luck with her!
    P.S. : Respect Bharatanatyam as an art form. It'll help you.

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  25. Aishwarya: Have I ever told you how much I dig Bharatanatyam as an art form? I dig it to the extent that I'm not even smiling while typing 'Bharatanatyam as an art form'. Because I respect it... as an art form. :)
    P.S: Thanks Jaai.

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  26. You're welcome. Also, respect Jane Austen, and do not call Archie comics childish...and I'll think of more ways of torture soon enough.

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  27. Lets see...Jaai knows me pretty well...to an extent.I don't care if u dig B'natyam or not.I still think hitting on a person because her name is mesmerizing is extremely shallow.Don;t u think we should restrict our idle chatter to facebook??
    Oh no...then I will have to add u which I am certainly not willing to do ,u undesirable casanova.

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  28. Jaai-- You certainly should not care whether Mr.Shallow/Wannabe Sarcastic finds your name mesmerizing or not.There! He finally has a pseudonym!
    Yours Sincerely
    Aishwarya aka Angelina Jolie aka NOT Emma Watson, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway & Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong aka Dido.

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  29. I fail to understand what the subtle suggestion behind "Don;t u think we should restrict our idle chatter to facebook??" was.
    But I don't think we should socialize anymore. We're at the verge of being the hottest couple EVER!! It's best we stop before we get tagged with a name like 'Brangelina'.. like 'Aishwajit' or 'Arishwarya' or somethin.. then its gonna get hella corny! Please try to resist me. I will try to forget you too. :'(
    So long...

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  30. Aishwajit?
    Arishwarya?
    Are you drunk or something?

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  31. In grief... this was a hard decision to make. But its for the best. :'|

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  32. I really don't know what to say.Its good that I cannot shout out loud and you can't see my face while typing.

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  33. My moods are ranging from annoyance to amusement to fascination right now.I am fascinated by how desperate the human male can be and hide his desperation in supposedly 'witty'remarks.
    Arijit@ Are u superbly ugly or something?

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  34. No, he's just bored and already looking for someone else to hit on.

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  35. Ohh sorry...that was an honest mistake.(Not out of ignorance though)
    Ahhh.....Just like a true male!Or..as I put it,an undesirable Casanova.

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  36. Annoyance? Amusement? Fascination? It's amazing how you still won't say how you really feel. I guess you've accepted the truth as well. It's a cold, cold world indeed. Nice knowing you Aishwarya, even though it was for a brief period, it felt like a lifetime. Thank you.
    Yours Truely,
    Undesirable Casanova.

    P.S: Yes, I'm butt-ugly. Not everyone is Abishek Bachan, you know.

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  37. Jaai: he's just bored and already looking for someone else to hit on? How could even say a thing like that? Misunderstood as always, I see.
    *sigh*
    How does Shadeslayer keep up with thee?

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  38. How does Shadeslayer keep up with me? Very nicely indeed! The fights are bad, but the making up is great!
    :P

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  39. I'm glad that everyone isn't Abhishek Bachchan.But that still doesn't mean that people have to be butt-ugly! Ugh!Glad u accepted that it IS a cold,cold,frigid word indeed.
    P.S: It felt like a lifetime for me too.
    *sigh*
    *Blinks coyly*
    and btw, Jaai has a very ugly habit of being frank and straightforward.Don't forget truthful.
    *Gleams murderously*

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  40. I knew it was a cold, frigid world long back when "somebody" reject my friends request on facebook. I understand it was only because I was a complete stranger, as I am now. But I want you to know, the reason behind that move was the same as it was here - Your name. Yes, maybe it WAS shallow. But how profound is life anyway if you have it all figured out? I don't want you to have the wrong idea that I'm some e-swinger or an e-Casanova who goes around doing whatever you imagine an undesirable Casanova would do. Because now I've learned that not everyone is as amiable & spirited as Jaai. Au revoir. :)

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  41. Gee, thanks!
    Amiable and spirited...wow. What gave you the idea?

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