Posted by Kathy F. on July 10, 1997 at 22:01:42:
In reply to Re: Stand up aith your sister posted by Jane E. on July 10, 1997 at 16:44:32
] How about women dancing with women? I just finished the new Myer bio of Austen and she refers to "standing up" with another woman (and how grim it was when a lack of male partners forced it). One can assume this is what Mr. Bennet means in his admonition to Kitty after Lydia's elopement.
I had always thought it was referring to her being under the observation of her sisters--sort of a form of house arrest--sister arrest!! She could not stir without her sisters. Thank you for the better knowledge. :-)
Is there anywhere I can go to find euphamisms that JA used in her novels? I saw on HC's page that in P&P when talking of Lydia, the Meryton people thought that perhaps she might "come upon the town"--I always thought the town referred to was Meryton--I didn't realize it was referring to the possibility that Lydia might become a London prostitute. Also "taking the waters" in Bath. I know there must be others, and therefore, I'm reading the novels without understanding those expressions. Instead, I am forced to think of it almost as though JA's English were a second language--and translate the words literally, rather than idiomatically. :-(
Kathy F.
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