Members Meeting - September 2020
The Art of Letter Writing and Letters in Jane Austen Novels
Scribbles, scratches, and blotches
Calgary JASNA Members came together via Zoom for the first time this past September 12, 2020. It was fitting that we would use this newest form of communication to discuss the much older form of communication in Jane’s novels; letter writing.
We kicked things off with a virtual walk through of the Zoom environment, did some catch up with existing members, and welcomed aboard a new member as well.
Annual Membership business was reviewed and we were able to present the results of the latest member’s survey. We also reviewed the potential and plans for and future in-person meetings when the time comes.
We welcomed new member with wonderful literary and costume expertise and during a discussion of the recent film adaptation of EMMA. she shared a collection of links to “Extant Garments Reflective of Styles in 2020 Emma Film”. Thank you again and welcome to the group.
“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; like everybody else, it must be in my own way”
During the meeting we also shared the sad news that JASNA Calgary Co-Founder Randie Lind had passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020. For those of us who love Jane Austen and appreciate the warm and welcoming space created here at JASNA Calgary we took a moment to reflect on her extraordinary contribution. For those who had met and knew Randie personally, Deirdre shared a beautiful memorial to her, her life and times, and her legacy. With much admiration for a life well lived, and with many thanks and remembrance for her.
After our tea break, Laurie led us through a discussion on letter writing in Jane’s novels.
“The arrival of letters was the first grand object of every morning’s impatience.”
Director Laurie lead us through an engaging talk on the art or letter writing throughout Austen’s novels. Topics included the importance of letters during the Regency, the platform it gave women to express themselves and voice their concerns and opinions, and how it proved a vehicle for self expression. There’s evidence of this referenced in the books themselves when, in Northanger Abbey, Henry Tilney says “Every body allows that the talent of writing agreeable letters is particularly female”.
Since letters were a very important form of communication, letter writing manuals become very popular in the late 17th and 18th century. Letter writing was considered an art, and these manuals showed people how to construct a proper letter for various scenarios. Once such popular manual is “Letters Written to and For Particular Friends”, by British novelist Samuel Richardson. Example letters include:
how do you tell a friend you disapprove of a boyfriend,
how do you relate a traumatic experience
how do you apply for a job (today there is a whole industry devoted to this LOL)
how do you write to a potential love interest
The manual would also include grammar, etiquette tips and advice.
Jane Austen understood that letters are more than just communication between 2 people. Have you ever noticed, stopped and counted, or even thought about the number of letters Jane uses in her novels?
For example:
Northerner Abbey - James letter to Catherine - advising his engagement to Isabella has been broken off OR Isabella Thorton - like Mary Crawford & Mary Musgrave, Isabella is conceited, and in a long letter her character is revealed.
Pride & Prejudice - Mr Collins letter advising of his visit to Longborn / Jane’s letters to Lizzie regarding Lydia / Miss Bingley invitation to Jane for dinner / the infamous letter Darcy writes to Elizabeth / Uncle Gardner to Mr Bennet / Aunt Gardiner to Elizabeth
Persuassion - Mary Musgrove to Anne / Walter Elliot / Captain Wentworth’s letter to Anne, which some say is the best romantic letter ever written. “ I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late”….
We then partook in a fun and lively discussion around letters in the novels with Wentworth’s “Love Letter” and Darcy’s “Revelation Letter to Elizabeth” hotly debated. Excellent fun Laurie, thank you.
Our next chapter meeting is in November and features music in the time of the Regency. Please join us and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.