There is something about the bygone era that soothes the soul. Recently started binge watching period romances and I must say, they got me hooked. Began with Jane Austen's Persuasion. I had read the classic and loved it as well, so decided to watch the 2007 BBC version. The smouldering looks of Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth combined with the subtle performance by Sally Hawkins as the female protagonist Anne Elliot made it a delightful watch.
It made me wonder that in the current scenario of short term loyalties with patience hanging on thin thread is it actually possible 'to love even when all hope is gone'. But then some do,even today (and I am not referring to the one sided stalker kind, of not taking no for an answer; Heavens forbid). Anne was persuaded to reject Wentworth by her family, her friend Lady Russell as according to them he had no future prospects because he was just in the starting phase of his career. On the other hand Anne was the daughter of a baronet, Sir Walter Elliot. I did not like him much. He is too vain, completely impractical and devoid of any fatherly affection. I almost felt sorry for Anne. Sample this;-
It made me wonder that in the current scenario of short term loyalties with patience hanging on thin thread is it actually possible 'to love even when all hope is gone'. But then some do,even today (and I am not referring to the one sided stalker kind, of not taking no for an answer; Heavens forbid). Anne was persuaded to reject Wentworth by her family, her friend Lady Russell as according to them he had no future prospects because he was just in the starting phase of his career. On the other hand Anne was the daughter of a baronet, Sir Walter Elliot. I did not like him much. He is too vain, completely impractical and devoid of any fatherly affection. I almost felt sorry for Anne. Sample this;-
[Sir Walter speaks] "It cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in greater danger in the navy of [...] becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any other line. [...] I shall not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age."
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| Anne's father Sir Walter Elliot along with her sisters Elizabeth (middle) and Mary |
He is talking about the life of a naval officer here. Being the wife of one, after reading these lines I felt Like knocking his own head, if that was possible, which sadly isn't. Many times while reading the book I wondered if there was no one as sensible or tolerable as Anne in the entire lot of characters, but i guess this was her perk being the central character and all. But nevertheless, loved it from starting till the end, though i thought that all the running around which Anne did in the end of the movie version, was not needed. It was aptly termed as the 'Bath Marathon' in one of the movie reviews. But anyways my love for Miss Austen's all works continues .
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| All's well that ends well |
