Why Mormon Girls Love Jane Austen
I will freely confess that I love Pride and Prejudice. I started reading Sense and Sensibility, and the two books share a lot of similarities. The theme that seems to ooze out of ever single page is marriage, and seeing as my present situation in life classifies me as borderline old maid, I started thinking about the similarities between what Austen saw in her society and what I see in mine as a Mormon girl.
#1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
What I have discovered through reading this author is that the wealth/house/carriage/income/respectability/connections/etc, are just like the Mormon culture requirements of returned missionary/Eagle Scout/son of a bishop/going to school/strong testimony/etc. We are just as picky as they were, and I don't see the point. I guess she didn't either, why can't we find someone we actually like? Sure you might grow to love and admire whoever you attach yourself to, but why can't you enjoy the process? I can almost understand why we have these cultural prerequisites, to protect us from the hardships and heartbreak of not getting married in the Temple, or trying to convert a spouse, but I do not see not being an RM or being able to tie knots as a legitimate prerequisites for associating with someone, or making them worthy to attend the Temple.
#2
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.
There is a reason why vanity is hardly mentioned in Mormon culture. Culture, not doctrine, dictates that we become the most vain ever to walk the earth. It is not an appearance of worldliness vanity, but a simpler vanity. We worry constantly as to everything from our primary coloring sheets to our shredded carrots, our meals that we bring out of a warped obligation of charity to our opinions on a movie, book or song. Avoiding the appearance of evil? or avoiding the appearance of un-culture?
#3
A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.
This is so true. Every LDS single when they meet another LDS single or any other single, has within 5 minutes determined your marriage-ability. Girls have picked out their reception colors, the Temple and stake center for their reception...oh wait that has been the same since they were Beehives.
Ooh wait and on top of that there is the instant Captain Moroni/Army of Helaman/ Ruth/Ester/Mothers of the Sons of Helaman evaluation.
#4
Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
'Nuff said. None of you are nearly as humble as you pretend to be.
#5
It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.
I think that this is especially relevant. Mormon evaluations never change, no matter what you do, if you repent you will always be that one person pointing at them from the Great and Spacious. If you started out good, no volume of poor decisions will ever free you, you will forever be a child of misfortune. I thought the doctrine for the most part was freedom of choice, innocent until proven guilty, righteous judgments, treat others the way you wish to be treated, forgive all men and so on...
#6
"We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.
And men take care that they should."
If ever there were a people so easily offended, it would be the Mormons and the ACLU. They are more sensitive than the male ego. Grow a set.
I can only speculate as to the reasons why Mormon girls cling so vehemently to novels by Jane Austen. They love these novels because subconsciously they realize the commentary that Austen is providing, can also be a commentary on their own society. The very aspects of Austen's society that are touched on in her novels are the same weaknesses in the Mormon culture that I find abhorrent. I doubt that many of the girls that read Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility identify with Elizabeth or Elinor the way Austen intended. I think many should look to a Kitty, Jane, Charlotte or a Marianne for a role model they can sincerely aspire to be.
#1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
What I have discovered through reading this author is that the wealth/house/carriage/income/respectability/connections/etc, are just like the Mormon culture requirements of returned missionary/Eagle Scout/son of a bishop/going to school/strong testimony/etc. We are just as picky as they were, and I don't see the point. I guess she didn't either, why can't we find someone we actually like? Sure you might grow to love and admire whoever you attach yourself to, but why can't you enjoy the process? I can almost understand why we have these cultural prerequisites, to protect us from the hardships and heartbreak of not getting married in the Temple, or trying to convert a spouse, but I do not see not being an RM or being able to tie knots as a legitimate prerequisites for associating with someone, or making them worthy to attend the Temple.
#2
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.
There is a reason why vanity is hardly mentioned in Mormon culture. Culture, not doctrine, dictates that we become the most vain ever to walk the earth. It is not an appearance of worldliness vanity, but a simpler vanity. We worry constantly as to everything from our primary coloring sheets to our shredded carrots, our meals that we bring out of a warped obligation of charity to our opinions on a movie, book or song. Avoiding the appearance of evil? or avoiding the appearance of un-culture?
#3
A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.
This is so true. Every LDS single when they meet another LDS single or any other single, has within 5 minutes determined your marriage-ability. Girls have picked out their reception colors, the Temple and stake center for their reception...oh wait that has been the same since they were Beehives.
Ooh wait and on top of that there is the instant Captain Moroni/Army of Helaman/ Ruth/Ester/Mothers of the Sons of Helaman evaluation.
#4
Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
'Nuff said. None of you are nearly as humble as you pretend to be.
#5
It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.
I think that this is especially relevant. Mormon evaluations never change, no matter what you do, if you repent you will always be that one person pointing at them from the Great and Spacious. If you started out good, no volume of poor decisions will ever free you, you will forever be a child of misfortune. I thought the doctrine for the most part was freedom of choice, innocent until proven guilty, righteous judgments, treat others the way you wish to be treated, forgive all men and so on...
#6
"We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.
And men take care that they should."
If ever there were a people so easily offended, it would be the Mormons and the ACLU. They are more sensitive than the male ego. Grow a set.
I can only speculate as to the reasons why Mormon girls cling so vehemently to novels by Jane Austen. They love these novels because subconsciously they realize the commentary that Austen is providing, can also be a commentary on their own society. The very aspects of Austen's society that are touched on in her novels are the same weaknesses in the Mormon culture that I find abhorrent. I doubt that many of the girls that read Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility identify with Elizabeth or Elinor the way Austen intended. I think many should look to a Kitty, Jane, Charlotte or a Marianne for a role model they can sincerely aspire to be.