My Opinion
Posted by Stephanie S on June 23, 1998 at 18:24:49:
In response to Feminist?, written by Chris on June 23, 1998 at 12:42:16
] ] I hear your plea, and I do not pretend to say that she is not a good writer when it comes to other subjects. However, there is a big problem with her doing JA sequels: when doing a sequel, one is supposed to follow the internal logic of the characters. That includes defining their future actions in relation to the timeline the characters live in (Regency here,) a detailed analysis of the characters, their past actions and the few projections in their future that JA herself had made (like Marianne, in time, loving Brandon as much if not more than she had loved Willoughby,) and the intentions of the author who originally wrote the work.
] I see your point. However, I believe E.T. did change them purposely in order to make people think and clarify her claim, that in those days and even today, it is always the woman who has to take herself back and subdue her desires to those of her husband.
Excuse me? I can't speak for all women, but I definitely do not subdue my desires for those of my husband! And I don't appreciate the comment either! My husband and I, like many other couples today and even many couples BACK THEN, are equal partners in a relationship. Given the temperaments of the characters in S&S, I don't think their relationships were unhappy or very unequal.
] ] Let me follow your take and ask myself why would Ms. Tennant writes such things. My opinion is that she writes these sequels with an agenda. Her agenda is to superimpose her modern view of feminity/feminism to JA's in order to discredit some of JA's work. From a feminist point of view of nowadays, JA's works can be considered as showing heroines in a very traditional role (husband catchers, so that they can live in a traditional, comfortable style.) However, these heroines, despite their living in the traditional role assigned to women at the time, still manage to capture the imagination of women nowadays through their strength and willpower.
] It is a fact that women in J.A.'s work are not equal to their husbands or other men. This is probably what led E.T. to continue J.A.'s work as she did. The role of women in society and in marriage is certainly the central point in E.T.'s work. I really don't think that wanted to write a genuine continuation of J.A.'s novels. You are probably right in accusing her for abusing J.A. for her own, feminist, purposes. This however, does not mean that she is necessarily a bad novelist. She may have deceived you for writing something you did not expect, but still we should award her our respect as writer.
If Ms. Tennant didn't want to write a true continuation of JA's works, then don't call the books sequels - call them modern feminist translations or something like that. . . .
] ] Some of the admiration we have for those heroines rests on the assumption that they did live successful lives after their respective marriages, and that therefore, marriage, dependence on a man for one's happiness and welfare can be justified at times, if one has chosen the right partner in life.
] Why do people get divorced then? I believe that even the heroines of J.A. will have difficulties in adjusting themselves to a married life and therefore the have to live through some rocky time. I believe it even more realistic as a fairy-tale ending where they live happily ever after.
If you have chosen the RIGHT PARTNER for life, you do not get divorced. . . One of JA's underlying messages in all her works is that you will be happy if you make a good choice for a life partner. . . .
] This is your personal opinion. I do not know what I should like better J.A.'s characters or E.T.'s, but I found it a nice try to give the whole thing a feminist approach. I wonder how you would have responded, if the whole thing had been published 15 years ago?
What difference would it make if the book had been published 15 years ago? It still is NOT a true sequel to JA's book in that it does not retain JA's characters' personality traits. . . . Again, this is all just my opnion too. . . .
- LOL! Martine 09:52:53 6/24/98
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