I wrote the following, on Virtue, almost two months ago but did not post because I have been hurt by comments I have received or heard criticizing women who embroider. I need to set the record straight. It has been my experience that some of the brightest women (and men) either embroider, tailor their own clothes, fashion drapery and bedding for the home, are involved in woodworking, or have some sort of creative outlet. It is an art to view something in your minds eye and then create it with your hands. I personally am deep in thought, relaxed (extremely focused), and usually planning the rest of my day in the early hours of the morning, five or six AM with my needle in hand. In a way it is a bit like yoga, a complete concentration on the present where you are experiencing a peaceful time of meditation. I currently am finishing Barbara Jackson's teatime basket and a matching sewing pocket 'Sweet Heart of Mine' to carry my tea service and stitching project(s) to a friends home or a local Jane Austen meeting. The pocket's verse is, 'Count that day lost whose low descending sun... views from thy hand no worthy action done'. I suppose even writers, like J.A., could find comfort in that verse. Several comments have been made in papers and at the recent AGM focused on Mansfield Park concerning Lady Bertram. The comments usually equate embroidery with sloth or a useless pastime, but as any embroiderer would know, she is escaping. At some point in the past she simply relented to the overbearing nature of her sister, Mrs. Norris, and constant interference with her family. She introverted into her thoughts and it has become a bonding time with Fanny who sees all. There......a load off my mind! I personally consider critics of embroidery ignorant of the deep connection of expressing oneself with the needle, whose roots span thousands of years. Fine embroidery is cherished in museums! Like literature, it is what binds us to who we are and where we came from. Now I can post again........ but I have updated some of what I wrote previously........
Next on the agenda..... I am looking forward to attend an event with the Eastern Pennsylvania Region of JASNA this coming weekend (June 6th, D-Day). They are hosting Sara Emsley author of a fascinating book, 'Jane Austen's Philosophy of the Virtues'. Her talk will be on women and ambition in Jane Austen's novels and whether ambition is a virtue. I came across her book, by accident, almost two years ago while planning my Austen themed 'Seven Virtues' casket. I googled Jane Austen and Virtues, hoping for some papers on the subject, and Sara's book and blog popped up. The book is a college text book, as such a bit pricey, so I requested a copy from a local college before actually purchasing it. I was floored and have to admit it did change my original plan. At the time, I was struggling with two virtues and their corresponding heroine. My second time through her book, I realized the real story is a heroines struggle with a particular virtue, anything if taken to an extreme could deceive a persons perspective and deprive them a connection in a personal relationship and true happiness. In reality today, I wonder if behaving in a virtuous lifestyle is not a handicap and cause for ridicule, but perhaps that has always been the case. The time in which you live dictates the values of your society, and you will do your best to compete in what the venue dictates.
Once I followed the struggle concept everything fell into place and my only criticism of Sara's book is that she does not give Jane Bennett enough credit for extreme temperance. Jane is so severely temperate and under control, it has enabled her to be too trusting of others. It prevents Jane to advocate for herself and as such readers and academics do not take Jane Bennet as a serious Austen heroine. Jane's extreme temperate character is unconvincing as a stand alone, her power is her ability to reign Elizabeth in and balance each other, which is the real story. Almost everything we are told about Jane's perfections are from the conversations of others. My proof is that Darcy, who we are told is critical of everyone, can only say, "she smiles to much", I believe he is actually a wit. Mrs. Bennet places Jane into an awkward position with regard to the invitation to Netherfield. The Bingley sisters bully her into the belief that Bingley does not care for her. Even when she visits her Aunt and Uncle in London, when urged by Elizabeth, she does not find an excuse to conveniently 'run' into Bingley (something Lydia would have figured out once she had arrived..... ah Lydia). I could go on and on...
Again the extreme genius of J.A. takes another form from the Greek virtues of Prudence and Fortitude (Marianne and Elinor Dashwood), and Temperance and Justice (Jane and Elizabeth Bennet). I find the coupled virtues, balanced between the sister duos, extremely interesting. Imagine J.A. toying with the concept of sister pairs, then pairing Greek virtues to decide which would make a better story-line/conflict. Next, we have the three Theological virtues from St. Paul, Faith, Hope and Charity. Each with a character who is struggling solo, Fanny Price, Anne Elliot and Emma Woodhouse. Until the Montreal AGM I did not feel that Fanny Price was a good example of Faith but if you consider she is struggling against the Sins of Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride each symbolized by a character in the novel, she does keep the faith. In fact each sin appears to have a male and female counterpart, they all have a role to play!
Another interesting observation, the earlier novels written in Steventon deal with the strong sister relationship and balance of two Greek virtues, where the later novels written in Chawton are focused on the struggle of theological virtues and the heroines long standing relationship with a man. My Proof, are Fanny and Edmund, Anne and Captain Wentworth and Emma with Mr. Knightley. Each of the men are a symbol of the the virtue the heroine is struggling with. Edmund a theologian and Faith, Captain Wentworth a sailor (an anchor) the symbol of Hope and last Mr. Knightley ('Knight' symbol of chivalry and valor), the gentry and charity to his fellow man. The evolution from the investigation of the close sister relationship of Elizabeth and Jane in Pride and Prejudice and bro-mance between Darcy and Bingley. Gradually evolving into the investigation of the open/friend relationships between Elinor and Colonel Brandon and also Marianne and Edward. In contrast to the relationships between Elinor and Edward and Marianne and Colonel Brandon which are so strained and hopeless due to sexuality. Is she subtly pointing out the gradual change from immaturity where the closest relationship is one of same sex and maturity where it evolves to one with the opposite sex. When you consider how each heroine seriously struggles, eventually to find balance in learning about themselves, they do become more desirable because they have found happiness.
In case you are interested the conclusion of the Emsley talk was.... modest ambition can be considered a virtue....
