I'm here to read this book with the Love of My Life

[Weems]

Anne waits for seven years in mental and physical solitude with no guarantee of anything. She has had men in her life--one who has proposed and another who recently is showing interest. Yet she remains true to herself. It does not matter whether she is in Kellynch, Bath, Lyme or Uppercross, she does not allow physical or emotional access.

I can truly identify with that!! It does not matter where I am or who I am with, my heart belongs to just one and I do not allow any other emotional or physical access or exploration. It's just how I am now. So whether I'm in the Northwest, the Far East, the Middle East or the high desert, I remain true to just one person. I like it that way. And even though I have hurt that person in the course of life, more than once, I will not back away. That person may, but I won't. There will be no "exploration", "bending" the rules, "covering" mistakes or "exploring" the new no matter where my travels take me. I won't be showing anyone or giving access to a dam thing.

So as I read this I am reminded that while others are in Anne's life, she is singularly focussed on the love of her life. That's how I am.

[LizzyBennet]

You made me smile and laugh-- A major feat for the mood I am in today. However, even I, a total stranger, know that people can't deliver everything they promise. After all, this is reality.

[Weems]

What little reading I've done today has been from page 111....

[LizzyBennet]

I am on page 124 now. I can't believe the developments! Benwick in love with Louisa?! Anne won't consider Mr. Elliot?! (although I can see why!) Where is Wentworth when we need him???!!!

On page 114. I see a sentence with the term "au fait" in it. There's a Corinne Bailey Rae song with those words, and I never understood it. Can anyone explain? In Persuasion, it seems to mean "being with it" or "in the know."

I love the paragraph about Mr. Elliott and Anne's opinion of him at the bottom of page 118 and top of 119. It relates to not caring for his temperament. I feel the same. I also prefer the "frank, open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still." I prefer people who have expressive emotions. Forget the bland, repressive and emotionless types. Give me something to grab hold of. I want the full gamut of emotions and expression!

[Weems]

I will read to pg 124 and repond to your thoughts today. If you read beyond that tell me! I'll look up Au Fait today!...

[Weems]

You are right! And I'm smarter now!

Adj. 1. au fait - being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge; "kept a breast of the latest developments"; "constant revision keeps the book au courant"; "always au fait on the latest events"; "up on the news"

[LizzyBennet]

Excellent! Good work!

[Weems]

Why thank you, Miss!!

[LizzyBennet]

I missed you before, but I'm back now! And so are you! I'm not finding any time to read today. Tonight will be better. Generally, I don't have time to read during the work day.

[Weems]

Understanding human nature has been an important part of the leadership skills and experience of my life both on and off the battlefield. Austen has a great but short summary at the top of 115.

''Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial, but generally speaking it is in its weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick chamber; it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity and fortitude, that one hears of.''

Then in the next sentence I find another one of those nuggets in life: ''There is so little real friendship in the world!--and unfortunately (speaking low and tremulously) there are so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.''

What a big WOW! on all three accounts! Human nature being mostly foussed on the negative, rare real friendship (opposed to the many ''acquaintances'' we all have that we call friends) and the levity and silliness we see among most people all of the time.

Austen pegs three life issues in one paragraph that are still present 200 years later. DO NOT expect them to change across the board. It requires individual enlightenment and wisdom and maturity to transcend these conditions. When people are comfortable, they seldom appreciate anything. Consider this: Why don't you count the number of homeless people asking for help on a sign at an intersection who have written ''God Bless'' on their piece of cardboard.

Mrs. Smith, who was speaking to Anne, goes on to make me laugh at her own understanding of how people opperate when she makes fun of Mrs. Wallis, a mere pretty, silly, expensive, fashionable woman who will have nothing to report but of lace and finery, by stating that she will make her profit by selling all her high-priced things she has recently made.

[Weems]

Miss Bennet, I have read your comments about Mr. Elliot's temperment. I agree! Now tell me, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, if you did not notice the last sentence of that paragraph and tell me if you did not identify again with Anne beyond her initial explanation of temperment: ''She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.''!

[Weems]

Carriages are important. And the kind of carriage is important too. I'm going to start tracking the kinds listed in the book. On page 128 a barouche is mentioned. Here's what I've learned about the barouche: -a four-wheel fancy carriage with a fold-up hood at the back and with two inside seats facing each other. It was the fancy carriage of the first half of the 19th century.

In P&P Mr Collins mentions Lady Catherine's tiny phaeton and ponies: A light four-wheel carriage with open sides and drawn by one or two horses.

[Weems]

I'm at the top of 130. The reread from 111 to 124 was wonderful and I had a lot of thoughts and lots of notes in the margin. Here's one of them on Mary's letter to Anne:

Mary is SO negative in the original letter. I underlined 21 negative comments. I find Jane Austen using this letter from Mary to underscore the weakness, selfishness and impatience of Human Nature described on P115.

In her continuation, Mary's tone changes the instant there is anything exciting to report, especially if it involves love!

Another is how snotty Sir Walter is about Admiral Croft on 122. The 2nd and 3rd paragraph's of 124 make me laugh as Croft settles the matter. The Croft's could care less about Walter Elliot while Walter thinks they do and Walter talks and thinks of them way more than they do of him!!

Anyway, the quiz: On page 127, Admiral Croft speaks of James Benwick and uses the word piano to describe him. What does it mean and what is the origin of the word? You have 5 minutes from now and must answer in a minimum of 5 paragraphs!...

[LizzyBennet]

I think piano means he is too soft or quiet.

I think you misunderstand Mrs. Smith's discussion about human nature on p. 115. I think she is talking about what human nature is for people who are sick and recovering or always bed-ridden. People in that situation are usually not strong and generous. They are selfish and impatient. They want to get better, and all they can focus on is themselves and their discomforts. One reason Anne likes Mrs. Smith is that she does not seem thus affected by her condition and remains positive and interested in what is going on in the world around her--being "au fait."

Yes, I noticed that last sentence of the paragraph on page 119 and purposely did not include it. I don't think she means that it is okay to be careless about saying things that hurt people. I think she is referring to giving opinions about this or that and not hiding your true thoughts on things. Instead of "The food is perfect!", she trusts "I don't care for these potatoes!" She means that she trusts the opinions more of people who are not always saying just the right thing or always making the perfect compliment. She trusts people who come right out and give their real opinion. I guess I should have included it so that I could be sure to explain it!

[Weems]

Correct on piano! It's Italian in origin and is used extensively in music for expression and dynamics.

Oh! on the rest of your explanation!