The Jane Austen Quiz

I'm back on the Brits.

I had gone off them for several months, I found them a bit too snarky, oddly protectionist, boring. The last few times I visited London, I was dismayed by the proliferation of American mass-culture icons everywhere. Where was the London of my university days, smaller and quirky, funny and charming? I know it's there, but the city center smacks of big-box consumerism, more like Chicago or Denver, with blocked off walking malls. And never mind the cost, the pound-to-dollar value. Egad.

Every so often, Jane Austen's stories recapture my imagination.

The recent feature film remake of Pride and Prejudice has caused a slow, consistent burn in my consciousness these last weeks. It almost caught me by surprise, but after repeated viewings, including the director's voice-over analysis cut, I find that I am mesmerized by the Mathew MacFadyen twists and turns his hands, clenching, fiddling, splaying them, as a way to convey Darcy's inner turmoil.

I returned to the BBC/A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, by way of comparison, and found almost as delightful, and certainly more didactic, more complete.

It's all about the relationships among the women, isn't it?

Just as Emma or Sense and Sensibility are. Jane Austen's themes are recurrent, and I find no need to belabor them. I did, however, find several Jane Austen character quizzes on-line. In contemplating my inner circle of girlfriends, I wondered, how would each of of us score? With which Jane Austen character would we most align? I put it to the test, and asked them to take the quiz and report.

The quiz can be found here. There are many versions, but this inventory seemed the most complete.

A fast synopsis of the characters - that we approximate:

Elizabeth Bennet (the heroine of P&P): As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Lizzie represents what most women would like to be: strong, independent, and loyal. She has her shortcomings: for all her smarts, she is often times too stubborn and too quick to pass judgment - both to her detriment. Rather than own to her errors, she will take time alone, preferring the outdoors and reading. Still, she remains intelligent, witty, and warm-hearted, and is able to sort her way through ill-conceived first impressions.

Jane Bennet (P&P): Eldest of the Bennet sisters, Jane is beautiful, good-natured, sweet, selfless, and universally well-liked. She refuses to judge anyone badly, and instead will make excuses for others' bad behavior or character flaws. Her tenderness and forgiving nature allow others to sometimes take advantage of her generous nature. Nevertheless, her opinions of others are often exactly correct.

Emma Woodhouse (Emma): "Handsome. clever, and rich," Emma is used to getting her way. She holds herself in high self-regard, and is possessed of a healthy self-esteem. She is a meddler, and although well-intentioned, her actions sometimes result in foibles and hurt feelings. She is clever, however, and through successes and mistakes, she learns to be more considerate, aware, and over time, comprehends the real meaning of love.

Elinor Dashwood (S&S): Eldest of the Dashwood sisters, she has a great awareness and obligations of social decorum - and common sense. She is an adept people-person, and tempers her own emotions and judgments with discretion and reason. That is not to say that her feelings do not run deep and powerful - they do. She keeps her innermost feelings private, and takes pains not to burden others with her personal problems.

Marianne Dashwood (S&S): Younger sister to Elinor, Marianne is impetuous and romantic. She lacks her older sister's sense and discretion and says exactly what she feels, holding nothing inside. Elinor often must apologize for Marianne's behavior - since she does not conceal her contempt or derision for those she dislikes, and often disregards politeness and good manners. She has a good heart, but her exuberant behavior is sometimes embarrassing.   

Herewith the results of us:

Hot Momma scored as Elizabeth Bennet, with Jane Bennet as a close second. I tend to think of her more as Jane, since men seem to fall for her the instant they meet her, and because she is kinder by far than I am - or so I believe.

Striptellectual came in as Elinor Dashwood, as did La Latina and Liz Taylor, Jr. By far, this was the most popular outcome - although Liz may have taken the quiz more than once, and the second time yielded a different result.

The Voice of Reason turned in as Emma Woodhouse. So did Surfer Girl - a surprise, until you think about it. I thought the quiz might melt or self-destruct as she took it. But Emma? Yes, it fits.

Datomantrix weighed in as Marianne Dashwood. But of course.

And me? No surprise. Lizzie Bennet all the way (and Liz Taylor Jr., too on one of her tries).

I think a marathon movie night/girls night in is on the near horizon. Champagne toasts to the almost-bicentennial of Miss Jane Austen.

Comments

[Kim]

I've always thought I was a Lizzie Bennett, but it appears I'm a Marianne Dashwood with no close second. But then I always thought I was a Jo March, but when I say that, my friends all look at me in astonishment and say "You're SUCH an Amy".

Must go crimp mah hair and write some knee-jerk love letters.

[La Latina]

Wow, I didn't realize I was in such great company!!!!