We'd love to hear which Austen hero/heroine is your favorite, and why. Please comment below.
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Nov 1Meet Mother & Daughter Duo. Kathy Rogers & Anne Rogers Kathy Rogers JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN? Kathy Rogers: A girlfriend told me about some “strange” people at her work who belonged to a Jane Austen club. I was intrigued. After learning about the details and attending my first meeting, I was hooked. JASNA-MN: How long have you been a JASNA-MN board member and how did you get there? Kathy Rogers: I joined the Board as Treasurer in January 2019. As a recently retired accountant it seemed a natural fit. I have an easy job compared to the rest of the board. I am amazed by the skill and creativity that I see in the other board members. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite thing/moment about being a JASNA-MN board? Kathy Rogers: I just finished the year end financial reporting for the chapter, and it was fun to put my “green eyeshade” on again. I like presenting financial data in a way that helps people make decisions wisely. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies? Kathy Rogers: Well, of course, I love the book and the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I also really like Mansfield Park. I know it is not as well regarded as some of the others, but the dialogue is so rich, and the characters are so dense. Mary Crawford is my favorite character in all the books. I have the audio book versions of all the main novels. I have three versions of Pride and Prejudice alone. I listen at night to lull myself to sleep. Over the years, I have probably listened to each book 20 times. Except for key parts (like the first proposal scene in Pride and Prejudice) I find them soothing. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies, hidden talent, etc. Kathy Rogers: I am a news junkie (not always a good thing…) I also enjoy history and listen to a lot of books on European, World and Economic History. This is one of the reasons why I like Jane Austen so much. It is comforting sometimes, to take the long view. Anne Rogers – (Kathy Rogers’ daughter) JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN?
Anne Rogers: My mom was involved in JASNAMN prior to me. She told me about the group and brought me to the holiday meeting last year - a ton of fun! JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies?
Anne Rogers: A bit cliché, but I'm a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, book and series. A strong memory from my childhood is watching and rewatching the 1995 BBC miniseries on VHS (I blame my mom for starting this). I really connected with Jane and love how it portrays the different relationships between the sisters. JASNA-MN: What was your favorite meeting/event so far? Any idea what fun stuff we should do?
Anne Rogers: I really enjoyed the dance meeting - even though I have no rhythm! I would be in favor of any event/lecture around how life was back then (embroidery, etiquette, other topics around the culture). JASNA-MN: How long have you been a member?
Anne Rogers: I'm new! I just attended my first meeting as a member this month. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies? hidden talent?
Anne Rogers: I love to craft and sew. My mom and I both created dresses for these meetings. JASNA-MN: Thank you Alicia & Anna for your times! See you at next meeting... *If you are interested to be our next featured member or would like to nominate someone Please email us at jasnamnmarketing@gmail.com
Pick a favorite child? Banish the thought! <G> But if I must choose, I choose Anne Elliot. She allowed others' opinions to persuade her against following her heart but given a second chance, she goes after the future that could have been and succeeds in her goal. She is kind and generous to her querulous family. She does not allow them to run her life a second time. She is smart enough to ask the second questions about William Elliot and to encourage Captain Wentworth just enough so that he could proclaim: " You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope."
On this Valentine's Day Eve...........sigh.
I agree with Janice. Anne Elliot is brave, strong, and kind. Oh, and so eloquent.
I also really enjoy Emma. In my opinion, she’s a shoe-in for most improved player. She makes some pretty large errors, but she’s such a delight, and she learns from her mistakes.
I've learned to appreciate EMMA much more with reading it over a few times. The genius of Austen...breath taking in her abilities. She shone brightly while here but oh, that we might have had a bit more. <G>
While I think it easy to say Elizabeth Bennet for her spunk and strong-willed individuality, Anne Elliot's unwavering love (in the face of such adversity) really calls to me hopeless-romantic heartstrings.
But alas, if I'm really honest, I'd say it's Captain Frederick Wentworth. He is the epitome of a gentleman in his good manners, he's well-respected by all that know him for his bravery and good sense, and he's able to overcome pride to admit that he never stopped loving Anne...but not without first offering some entertaining struggles during that transformation.
What can I say, I love a good "boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" story.