More from Jane’s letters to her niece Fanny, about whether or not she should marry Mr. John Plumptre:
“Now, my dearest Fanny . . . You frighten me out of my Wits by your reference. Your affection gives me the highest pleasure, but indeed you must not let anything depend on my opinion. Your own feelings & none but your own, should determine such an important point.”
letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 30, 1814 [114]
Imogen Poots as Fanny Knight in Miss Austen Regrets
Filed under Austen family, Letters, Love, Marriage, niece Fanny Knight, Uncertainty in love
“We have heard nothing fresh from Anna. I trust she is very comfortable in her new home. Her Letters have been very sensible & satisfactory, with no parade of happiness, which I liked them the better for.-I have often known young married Women write in a way I did not like, in that respect.”
letter to her niece Fanny (Edward’s daughter), about another niece, Anna (James’s daughter), who had just married Ben Lefroy
November 18, 1814 [109]
Filed under Austen family, Happiness, Letters, Marriage, niece Anna Austen
“Things are now in such a state, that you must resolve upon one or the other, either allow him to go on as he has done, or whenever you are together behave with a coldness which may convince him that he has been deceiving himself.-I have no doubt of his suffering a good deal for a time, a great deal, when he feels he must give you up;-but it is no creed of mine, as you must be well aware, that such sort of Disappointments kill anybody.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
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Filed under Austen family, Heartbreak, Letters, niece Fanny Knight, Uncertainty in love
“Your trying to excite your own feelings by a visit to his room amused me excessively.-The dirty Shaving Rag was exquisite!-Such a circumstance ought to be in print. Much too good to be lost.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
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Filed under Austen family, Letters, niece Fanny Knight, Uncertainty in love, Writing
“Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying without Affection; and if his deficiencies of Manner &c &c strike you more than all his good qualities, if you continue to think strongly of them, give him up at once.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
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Filed under Austen family, Letters, Marriage, Men, niece Fanny Knight
“Think of all this Fanny. Mr. J.P. has advantages which do not often meet in one person. His only fault indeed seems Modesty. If he were less modest, he would be more agreable, speak louder & look Impudenter;-and is it not a fine Character, of which Modesty is the only defect? . . . Wisdom is better than Wit, & in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
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Filed under Austen family, Character, Letters, Men, niece Fanny Knight
“Poor dear Mr J.P.!-Oh! dear Fanny, Your mistake has been one that thousands of women fall into. He was the first young Man who attached himself to you. That was the charm, & most powerful it is.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
Olivia Williams as letter-writing aunt Jane Austen. ©BBC 2007 for MASTERPIECE
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Filed under Austen family, Letters, Love, Men, niece Fanny Knight
“My dearest Fanny, I am writing what will not be of the smallest use to you. I am feeling differently every moment, & shall not be able to suggest a single thing that can assist your Mind.-I could lament in one sentence & laugh in the next, but as to Opinion or Counsel I am sure none will be extracted worth having from this Letter.”
letter to her niece Fanny Knight
November 18, 1814 [109]
Filed under Austen family, Letters, Love, niece Fanny Knight
“From the time of our being in London together, I thought you really very much in love.-But you certainly are not at all-there is no concealing it.-What strange creatures we are!-It seems as if your being secure of him (as you say yourself) had made you Indifferent.”
letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, about Mr. John Plumptre, whom Fanny was considering marrying
November 18, 1814 [109]
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Filed under Austen family, Letters, Love, Men, niece Fanny Knight, Uncertainty in love
“His [letter] to me was most affectionate & kind, as well as entertaining;-there is no merit to him in that, he cannot help being amusing.”
letter to Cassandra, about their dear brother Henry, who was a bit of a man-about-town, charming, good-looking, and fun
April 11, 1805 [43]
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Filed under Austen family, brother Henry, Letters
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith