The Men of Austen: Edmund Bertram

While the women of Jane Austen’s books are undoubtedly the main characters, the plots would not make it very far without the role of the male characters.  So here continues my incomplete series on the men of Austen.

Let’s talk about Edmund.  He is supposed to be the hero of Mansfield Park.  The kind, chivalrous, moral compass of the rag tag cast.  My Book Club buddy Kayla asked earlier in our reading if Edmund was too good to be true.  After finishing the book, I would say yes.  He reminds me of cotton candy- pretty and sweet, but has a bitter aftertaste and is all fluff when you really need something of substance.

Edmund and Fanny Price, our “heroine”, were raised as brother and sister from an early age.  He is described as her only advocate, the only one who shows any care for her wellbeing or respect for her worth.  Austen tells us, “Edmund’s friendship never failed her.”  He consistently builds her up, and after describing her qualities, said, “I do not know any better qualifications for a friend and companion.”  He defends her to his family, sees to her needs when she is being ignored, and encourages her to see her own value.  He calls her “the perfect model of a woman.”

Yet despite all of this, who does he fall in love with?  Who is the “only woman in the world whom he could ever think of as a wife”?

Mary Crawford.

Mocking, manipulative, materialistic Mary Crawford.  She vocally wishes that Edmund had more money.  Multiple times she speaks her mind against his decision to become a clergyman.  She makes fun of his career and belittles the role of faith in daily life.  At one point, she basically wishes his older brother Tom dead so that he can inherit Mansfield.  She does not support him or share his beliefs.  She rarely speaks to him without mocking him in some way.  And yet, she is who he wants to marry.

I just don’t understand.  The same man who thought, “Fanny was worth it all; he held her to be worth every effort…” doesn’t actually want her for himself.  He encourages her to give Henry Crawford a chance, even though his morals are highly suspect and she feels nothing for him.  No matter, Edmund has a plan and he sticks to it- that is, until his sister runs off with Henry, messing everything up.

Low and behold, he can’t have Mary.  So whose shoulder does he cry on? Fanny’s.  Who consoles him and acts as a voice of reason?  Fanny.  Who does he find to be beautiful and indispensable?  Fanny.  Who appreciates and supports his calling as a clergyman?   Fanny.

So who does he marry?  Fanny.  But instead of feeling triumph and satisfaction at the end of this book, I was annoyed.  Fanny is not my favorite Austen character, but I can’t help but be defensive for her.  The one man who had advocated for her to stop being treated like a doormat her whole life, ends up using her as a doormat himself.

 

Clearly, I am no Edmund Bertram fan, but maybe I shouldn’t have read Emma first.  Mr. Knightly has ruined me forever. :)

S & S- Favorite Quotes

Book Club, I challenge you to post about some of your favorite quotes from the book.  Share the quote, maybe a picture, and a thought or two.  It doesn't need to be long, but it might prove to be entertaining.

Here's one that I really liked:

"The gentleman offered his services; and perceiving that her modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary, took her up in his arms, without further delay, and carried her down the hill."

I just love the language of the chivalry of this line.  Now, I know that the chivalry was on the part of a good-for-nothing money grubber, but the thought was nice.  Too bad the act of manly compassion didn't work out for Marianne.

Oh wait, it did...just with a different guy.

Amen for chivalry.

-Katie

The Men of Austen: P & P Today

The men of Pride and Prejudice certainly are something else.  We got to wondering...what would they be like in today's world?  Here's our take on the modern day equivalent of these Jane Austen characters.

• Mr Bennet- Works hard enough at a boring desk job to get by.  Comes home and secludes himself in his den playing video games channel surfing.  Can't be troubled to set boundaries for his children when it comes to dating, cell phones, or online social media, resulting in lots of scandalous behavior.  Would divorce his wife, if it wasn't so much work.   
• Wickam- Suave.  Never admits this, but can't actually hold a job for more than a year.  Dresses like a model out of GQ, but has credit card debt up to his ears.   Practically has multiple personality disorder making every woman love him.  Somewhat regularly attends a church to keep up appearances, and the nice old church ladies think he is the cutest thing.  Acts like a wealthy businessman, but actually never finished college.  Is about to have his Hummer repossessed.  Can smell a single girl all the way on the other side of the crowded, swanky clubs that he frequents every night.
• Bingley- The perfect "Mr. Nice Guy." Has enough money to live in a McMansion in the burbs, but still goes home so his mom can do his laundry.  Great socializer, but oblivious to the need to actually pursue a girl in order to win her.  Has lots of buddies.
• Collins- Lives in the online world.  Holds several advanced degrees, but still cannot share that knowledge being condescending.  Maybe even a stuffy college professor. Closet Dungeons & Dragons player.  Would have actually have proposed to Charlotte through a text message. 
• Darcy- Engineer, hence some trouble communicating with the real world.  Partner in the successful and lucrative family business, and everyone thinks that it is just an honorary position, but he is actually the most talented one there.  Runs in the right social circles, drives the right car, and lives in the right neighborhood, but is tired of fake people.  He is not looking for a wife- he doesn't need one judging from the ridiculous women he encounters or the divorce rate prevalent in his family.  Travels all over the world supposedly on business, but has actually started a mission in Uganda which he supports and visits monthly.  We think that Elizabeth is a lobbyist that starts fighting against something his family business is doing.  She is so set apart that she makes him reconsider everything he thought he used to know.

What do you think?

-Katie

The Men of Austen: Mr. Knightley

Many people -especially men- think that other people -namely single women- idealize and idolize the men of Jane Austen.  Women sigh when they read the romantic and angst filled proposals in the books.  The themes and story lines of Austen’s books have been made into hundreds of film adaptations and spin-off books that appeal to generation after generation.  We can quote the romantic lines (“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”).  And Mr. Darcy is revered as the epitome of every woman’s fantasy, right? 

As a book club, we have decided to explore the topic of the men of Austin a little further.  What is the appeal, after all?  And as Christian women seeking our future spouses (our caro sposo, right ladies? J ), what is it that we can learn from the virtue (or lack thereof) of Austin’s fictional men?  Here’s a look at what we saw in Mr. George Knightley that we found honorable and desirable in a good man.

·         Mr. Knightley is marriage-minded.  Long before he had discovered his feelings about Emma, or even openly expressed a desire for marriage, his comments and actions convey respect for Holy Matrimony.  The tone he uses in speaking of the marriages of Mr. and Mrs. Weston and of his brother and sister-in-law show his understanding of the importance of the vocation.  He hints an innate knowledge of the complementary design of husbands and wives and the Heavenly designed roles of the spouses.  He also shows deep respect for the wife he can’t even name yet, except as Mrs. Knightley.  “There is but one married woman in the world whom I can ever allow to invite what guests she pleases to Donwell, and that one is…Mrs. Knightley;  and, till she is in being, I will manage such matters myself.”  His behavior sets a model for men discerning marriage to be considering the needs of a future wife, observing and learning from strong marriages, and praying for the woman who will one day become his bride.

·         Mr. Knightley is genuinely kind.  Don’t confuse this with the “nice” guy we all brush off.  He is kind to all, even those beneath his social standing.  He cares about the needs of the people in Highbury, as evident by him hearing and addressing their needs routinely.  He gives generously.  This is not a weak niceness, but a real mindset of kindness and Christ-like love that he extends to all he meets.

·         Mr. Knightley is honest with everyone, but especially to those close to him.  He is not afraid to call Emma out on her mistakes and hold her accountable to moral behavior.  Too often we allow those nearest to us to dwell in sin without fraternally correcting them, but Mr. Knightley sees a need and challenges Emma.  A primary goal of marriage should be to help the other grow in holiness, and this cannot happen without loving, appropriate, and sometimes brutal honesty.

·         Mr. Knightley is a man of integrity.  Unlike some of the other male characters in the book, he doesn’t play games with dialog, emotions, or social graces.  He is an upright citizen, living out his high station, but does not take advantage of his position.  He never uses people or finds humor at the expense of others.  Good men like this inspire charity, compassion, and truth.

·         Mr. Knighley shows strength.  He despises Frank Churchill’s weakness.  “I can allow for the fears of the child, but not of the man.  As he became rational, he ought to of roused himself, and shaken off all that was unworthy…” He abhors this lack of strength in a fellow man, and continually shows evidence of his own strength through both actions and words.

·         Mr. Knightley delights in children.  He clearly cares for his nephews and nieces, seeks out time to spend with them, and naturally plays with them.  He and Emma together take charge of their nephews when they are visiting.  He and Emma have conversations over baby Emma Knightley and Anna Weston about their virtues and futures.  He has fatherhood written on his heart, and lives it out.

·         Mr. Knightley is a leader.  Others seek him out for advice and needs, like Robert Martin did during his pursuit of Harriet Smith.  He is looked to for wisdom, as well as for the tone to be set in social situations.  His leadership skills make him not only a man to be looked up to in the general public, but a man whose headship in his own home would be something not taken lightly.

·         Mr. Knightley is humble.  Although always showing the grace of his station, he didn’t put on false airs.  He often walked to social engagements, to the point that Emma commented that she was glad to see him finally acting like a gentleman when he arrived at a location in his carriage.  Mr. Knightley understood that gentlemanly behavior has little to do with those pretenses, but with a quiet strength that acknowledges the inherent dignity in each person he happens to meet.

·         Mr. Knightley is relational.  As evident through many of his other qualities, he cares about the people around him.  He also understands the value of relationships, and that they need to be built.  A woman’s heart is relational to the core, and he seems to understand this when he intentionally gets to know Harriet better simply because she is important to Emma.  The message is that what is important to her has become a priority for him.  That speaks volumes.

·         Mr. Knightley is a man of action.  When he finally admits to himself that he loves Emma, he pursues her despite the obstacles and possible failure.  He fears his own passivity more than her potential rejection. 

·         Mr. Knightley desired one-ness in important relationships.  When he broke the news of the Martin/Smith engagement to Emma, he said that it was the one thing that they differed in opinion about, and that he hoped it would soon change.  In a true marriage, the two should desire to become one in every possible way- not to be narrowly single-minded, but to be so alike in pursuit of God’s will that each are working towards the same mission together, supporting and encouraging each other.

·         Mr. Knightley shows self sacrifice.  After his proposal to Emma, he is willing to give up his own home primarily for the comfort of her father.  A good man knows that he is called to lay down his life, just as Christ laid down his life for His Bride, the Church.  The self sacrificial love evident by both partners in a holy marriage is fruitful and life-giving, and Mr. Knightley exhibits this trait.

Quite a list when you put all in one place- but we have to remember these traits were found all in a fictional character.  Rather than hold any man to a ridiculously high standard, let us pray for these virtues to flourish in men everywhere in our society, and specifically in those men whom God has designed for our own hearts.

-Katie