Wood Elf, thanks so much for starting this group. I hope you don't mind if we talk about the film adaptations as well as the books. Because Sense and Sensibility was not one of my favorites until the Ang Lee/Emma Thompson film... I just absolutely loved the cast in that movie. Kate Winslet made me love Marianne (because she sort of annoyed me in the book) and Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon made their romance believable. What did you think?

I think we should absolutely share our knowledge about film productions as well. I am always looking for new movies based on 19th century literature. PBS, BBC and A&E always seem to produce quality films. Did you view the PBS series of Jane Austen films? I thought that version of Sense and Sensibility paled in comparison to Thompson's. Her screenplay writing is so delightful and humorous. I own the DVD of Thompson's Sense and Sensibility and watch it often enough that my family groans when I say, "How about Sense and Sensibility?" Although I am not a fan of Hugh Grant in general, I think his performance as Edward was charming in a bumbling sort of way. I agree with your comment about Marianne in the novel. Kate Winslet made her endearing in the film. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Thompson wrote screenplays for the other Austen books? I have to say, though, that I really enjoy the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy) and Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet). Maybe that should be another discussion.

Well, you have prompted me to do some rereading. I am a teacher and will go back to school in just two weeks, so I'll have to enjoy reading another Jane Austen novel or two during this time.

Did you ever find out about the Jane Austen conventions? I didn't know they existed!

Are you more like Elinor or Marianne? Explain why. Yes, it is okay for men to possess the characteristics of these women.

The following post is from level.

I was a little disturbed by the cavalier acceptance of Willoubhy's fathering an illegitimate child and doing nothing to maintain it.

An interesting parallel between the conversations here and in P&P revealing the true nature of (the villains)?

Having read some Thirkell recently I was also struck by the real gulf between the 'gentry' and the serving classes in Austen's time. It was as if they hardly existed for Miss Austen. I think there are two instances of direct conversation between master and servant in S&S. Witness the lack of mention of another horseman accompanying the Colonel as he rides up. That individual only exists to take the horses to the stable.

I think I am beginning to understand the true reasons for the desctuction of the middle classes by the socialist governments following WWII. Wasnt it Neitsche who said the lower classes don't want to be like the upper; they want to drag the upper to their level?

I must apologize for not having the book handy to verify my statements.