#secretsinthesnow

What was really fun about this template to me though was how putting Jane Austen in to fill the last blank makes it sound as if Jane Austen herself is purposefully removing the romance from the books and toying with the romance readers. I think I can agree with that on some level. We’ve talked before about how there’s an idea that Jane Austen is purposely depriving her readers of the romance aspects they are looking for. To me, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s more of a situation where romance is just not that important to Austen. I think she knows that she’s excluding something, it’s on purpose, but I don’t know if it’s with malicious intent so much as with a lack of interest in it. I wasn’t really sure how to feel on this point though until in Secrets in the Snow, where we get a bit of a look into Jane Austen’s life. It’s a YA novel and a murder mystery so things are probably dramatized, but as far as I understood from class today it seems to be overall a pretty accurate depiction of her circumstances. Assuming the book is an accurate representation of her life, I can understand why romance may not have been all that important to her. She seems to have been living comfortably (at least not poorly enough to be desperate to marry) and mostly free to write as she pleased, which seemed to be her real goal in life. She didn’t want any of the things like money or companionship which might entice other ladies of the time to marry, and it’s entirely possible she didn’t ever really fall in love (the whole Tom Lefroy thing would be amusing for me, but seems not super realistic). Because of this, I do think that Austen is purposefully excluding romance, but it’s not meant to be a vicious dig at romance readers; if it’s anything it may be a situation where she sees it as being below her. However, the structure of this meme does function in a way where if people see Austen as a more vicious/cruel being they can definitely get that from this meme too which I liked when making it.

If the author wants us to side with whoever killed the Comte, some trash talk earlier could be afforded. I just can’t believe Eliza’s rendezvous with Henry after learning her husband was still alive. Maybe she used Henry as a distraction, but the clear thing is that she used him. I understand Jane’s hang up on their relationship, even if the rest of the world believes Eliza to be a widow. Thinking of her own reputation, Jane realizes the fallout that would occur if the Comte’s reappearance was made known and how that would reflect on her family.

So for #christmas my wonderful #sister @msbakersoutfits went through her school’s #scholastic catalog and got me some #wintery books she thought I’d love. 📚 Since February always feels like the most #winter month of the year, I thought I’d try to finish them up before the month is through. So far I’m loving them!!!! More than anything, though, they smell like my #childhood. I never realized before that @scholasticinc books have a special smell, but they do, and I sure do love it!! ❤️ Thanks @msbakersadventures !! #theressnowonelikeyou #secretsinthesnow #heartwoodhotel #snow #bookstagram #book #books #ilovebooks (at Plateau Mont-Royal)