Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message


In Ch. 1 Anne is described as haggard...   Written by Moni (10/11/2008 12:55 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, A Blooming Question, penned by JanELT
Are you new?

oddly enough. Mary is described as "coarse". I looked up the meanings for "haggard" in SJ Dictionary, and found some strange references. I don't know if any of them particularly fit, so I am curious about the strength of these words used to describe how the family had become:

"It sometimes happens, that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been ***neither ill health nor anxiety***, it is a time of life at which scarcely any charm is lost. It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago; and Sir Walter might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be deemed only half a fool, ***for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of every body else***; for ***he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance were growing***. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of crow's foot about Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him."

It also appears this description comes from the thoughts of Sir Walter, so it seems overblown, if I can use that word! I don't know that it was a reliable kind of description. It seems to favour above all, himself and his favourite Elizabeth.

There is one entry for "haggard" that says it labels "anything wild and irreclaimable."

http://books.google.com/books?id=6aARAAAAIAAJ&pg=PT669&vq=haggard&source=gbs_search_r&cad=0_1#PPT558,M1 - Link.

Food for thought, anyway.


Previous message | Next message | Board index

All messages in the thread


Password:

Groupread is maintained by Myretta with WebBBS 3.21.


View thread | Previous message | Next message
Board index

Group Read Board Pride & Prejudice Board Emma Board Sense & Sensibility Board Persuasion Board Mansfield Park Board Northanger Abbey Board Austenuations Board Jane Austen's Life & Times Board Lady Catherine & Co. Board Library Board Virtual Views Board Ramble Board Meetings Board Newcomers' Board Milestones Board Help Board Pemberleans Board





- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index Home Site Map JAInfo

© 2004 - 2012 The Republic of Pemberley

Get copyright permissions

Quantcast