It must be the fourth time that I am rereading Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. And about the second time I watch the 1995 produced series starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.
But I always asks myself what it may be that always drags me to these novels. Why don’t I read a modern romance or just anything else? Would it not be easier for me to identify with someone who lives around the same era, is as old as me, has the same problems etc? How can it be that I, most often deterred by historical novels and cheesy romances, are undeniable in love with Austen’s work and every hero/heroine she created?
Jane Austen’s novel are not only wonderfully romantic and never too cheesy but also utterly realistic and written in the most loveliest language there is. Phrases such as “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” make my heart melt every freaking time I read it . (Well it can be that this phenomenon is due to me being not an English native speaker but still)
Her Heroines are all very different and they are each perfectly imperfect as they have great features and fortes but also faults.( Although their imperfections only make them more realistic, lovably and easy to identify with.) I admire Lizzy and Emma and Elinor and every other for how inspirational they are and I feel like I could learn so much from them and their life. Jane Austen gifted me friends and idols and well one of the most amazing lovestories there are.
And so it goes with the heroes – I dare say that her creations can be counted as the most desirable men in the whole era of literature. Who does not dream of marrying a Mr. Darcy or being loved by Mr. George Knightley (who appears to be my soulmate due to the results every of the billion quizzes I have taken.) Mr. Darcy is everything but perfect and yet I cannot help but love him.
Every time I feel in need of some love and romance (because being single does not satisfy me) I put either one of her books or one movie adaption and it is like therapy. When I start, I am always lonely and maybe a bit sad, but afterwards I am filled with this great feeling of joy and content. I started to call it “the Austen-Therapy”, something I can rely on that it will cheer me up no matter how down I am. It’s like a very precious gift that I found something, an anchor, that will be there for me and comfort and console me no matter what. That will always satisfy my desires for men. That makes me fall in love with hundreds of people but without the possibility that my heart could be broken.
Jane Austen is like a psychiatrist for me, who takes me into another world and makes me forget my problems. I am so grateful that she has written those amazing novels and I feel deeply sorry for all of those who do not experience her magic first hand.
Lebenspodium 