# Convince me that Jane Austen should be allowed to exist.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [August 28, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377 "2011-08-28T13:11:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@genXmalcontent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genXmalcontent)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/21 "2011-08-29T23:00:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> This is also my fault for fucking around in the OP; the silly stuff was just an elaborate way to talk about the best of Austen. Ah well, it’s too late now.
>
> [villain hat]
> Clearly you did not understand the OP. I wish to _reduce_ the amount of beauty and joy in the world and _increase_ the amount of ugliness and insanity. Murdering Dan Brown clearly will do nothing to further that aim, and removing Stephanie Brown from the equation will actually hinder it.
> [/villain hat]
I was just having some fun. And when an opportunity arises to bash Brown and Meyer, I will take it at any cost 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Feyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feyrat)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/22 "2011-08-29T23:08:02Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> [villain hat]
> Clearly you did not understand the OP. I wish to _reduce_ the amount of beauty and joy in the world and _increase_ the amount of ugliness and insanity. Murdering Dan Brown clearly will do nothing to further that aim, and removing Stephanie Brown from the equation will actually hinder it.
> [/villain hat]
Oh no! Have they _married???_
Quick, kill them before they breed!
---
### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/23 "2011-08-29T23:09:16Z")
[Quote=The Poll]
Not even a sadist like you wants to live in a universe \*with \*PRIDE & PREJUDICE.
[/quote]
_without_
And \*\*\*Emma \*\*\*is hilarious.
---
### Author:  [@PeskiPiksi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeskiPiksi)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/24 "2011-08-29T23:13:40Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#):
>
> How dare you talk ill of Ms. Austen! She is poor… Her situation should secure your _compassion_. It was badly done, indeed!
>
> You, **Skald** , whom she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour, to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her…before others, many of whom (certainly some) would be entirely guided by your treatment of her.
>
> This is not pleasant to you, **Skald** –and it is very far from pleasant to me; but I must, I will, I will tell you truths while I can; satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now.
>
> Good day.
Bravo!!
I’d like to read a biography of Ms. Austen’s life. Any recommendations?
---
### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/25 "2011-08-30T00:27:32Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#):
>
> How dare you talk ill of Ms. Austen! She is poor… Her situation should secure your _compassion_. It was badly done, indeed!
>
> You, **Skald** , whom she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour, to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her…before others, many of whom (certainly some) would be entirely guided by your treatment of her.
>
> This is not pleasant to you, **Skald** –and it is very far from pleasant to me; but I must, I will, I will tell you truths while I can; satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now.
>
> Good day.
You are a great man. Unless you’re a chick. In that case you’re a great woman. I knew your gender once but frankly I wasn’t paying attention and have forgotten, and I’m too lazy to check and see at the Doper Gallery, because you might not be there and then I’d have wasted about a hundredth of a calorie, though in fact I’ve used twice that much energy with this long stupid sentence that no sane man, woman, child, or Etruscan could find amusing. Anyway, your post rocks.
---
### Author:  [@Kalea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalea)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/26 "2011-08-30T00:38:37Z")
Dispose of Jane. Have you ever read that schlock?
---
### Author:  [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/27 "2011-08-30T00:44:59Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> You are a great man. Unless you’re a chick. In that case you’re a great woman. I knew your gender once but frankly I wasn’t paying attention and have forgotten, and I’m too lazy to check and see at the Doper Gallery, because you might not be there and then I’d have wasted about a hundredth of a calorie, though in fact I’ve used twice that much energy with this long stupid sentence that no sane man, woman, child, or Etruscan could find amusing. Anyway, your post rocks.
I’m a man. But I’m no gentleman. And I’m definitely no Karl Knightley (that was his full name, wasn’t it?).
ETA: Nope, I’m pretty sure it was Mario.
---
### Author:  [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/28 "2011-09-01T00:12:01Z")
I guess she can exist. _Pride and Prej_ is pretty funny.
---
### Author:  [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/29 "2011-09-01T02:26:22Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#):
>
> Although I voted “Emma” I have to say, without “Pride & Prejudice” I don’t think there’s one American law student who would understand the implications of the fee tail.
entail?
Austen is actually really good at some very applicable 21st century ideas…marry for mutual respect, not for sex or a pretty face or security. Preferably marry someone you know (in Austen’s time this didn’t mean for very long, but her quick engagements don’t tend to end well - its love that has stood the test of time that works). Practice economy - even if you can afford not to. Be civil, but don’t encourage intimacy until you are ready to accept the obligations.
I love the economic details of Austen.
---
### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/30 "2011-09-01T03:04:32Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#):
>
> entail?
The “fee tail” is an ownership status – it is the property that is said to be “entailed.”
In property law you study the different ways to own something. The term “fee” descended from “fief” to refer to land use. The fee tail is an ownership that excludes the right to bequeath the property in a manner of your choosing. Instead, the land can ONLY pass to a male blood relation, no matter how distant.
This is what happened in P&P. They family appeared to be well off but their land was entailed. Because the girls could not inherit the house, nor could their mother, (nor could their husbands if they married) they would be immediately destitute if their father died. The mother, who most people interpret as overbearing, has a very serious and legitimate concern that her daughters marry into their station while they still can.
---
### Author:  [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377/31 "2011-09-01T03:18:41Z")
Do I really need to say which Austen is my favorite?
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-jane-austen-should-be-allowed-to-exist/594377.md?page=1)