Monday, July 29, 2013

Game the Thirtieth: Trivia Quiz {4}


These trivia questions all come from the wonderful fourth episode-- though why I am distinguishing it from the others with the word "wonderful," I really could not say, for they are all worthy of that appellation.

And why I am so formal in Club posts, I couldn't say either. 

1.  Which character's face is the first to be seen in this episode?

2.  How old was Georgiana Darcy when she was tricked into consented to elope with George Wickham?

3.  Complete the quote: "Have some ____, Lizzy; I am sure it will do you good."

4.  What was it that Lydia should have put on the roof of the carriage so Kitty would not squash it?

5.  What is the name of Mr. Darcy's fencing teacher?

6.  What is Elizabeth's parting remark to Wickham at the "farewell to the regiment" party?

7.  Who says the candid remark, "It's vile, isn't it, Lizzy?" and to what is this person referring?

8.  How far is Lambton from Pemberley?

9.  Why does Kitty feel that she has as much right to go to Brighton as Lydia (and more)?

10.  Complete the quote and tell who said it: "I think one would be willing to put up with a good deal to be ____." 

Have fun! Answers will be revealed on Saturday.

Friday, July 26, 2013

How I Met P&P95: The Elf


I was unaware of the existence of P&P 1995 and even of the existence of Pride & Prejudice, the book, until I was about 14.  My sister chose to study the book for a school project - first time she read it too - and later told me in detail all about the story she had come to love.  Shortly afterwards, some friends lent us several movies that they thought we might enjoy.  Among them, was P&P95.  Since I prefer to read the book before seeing the screenplay, I sat down and read Pride and Prejudice.  Although I was expecting a writing style similar to that of Charles Dickens - 1800s and all that - I was most pleasantly diverted.  The freshness, wit and appeal of Pride and Prejudice were a joy to read.

Although the picture of Darcy on the front cover of P&P95 was slightly disconcerting - "He's very hairy" was my sister's comment - I eagerly anticipated watching the TV series.  I have to say, it surpassed my wildest dreams.  The delight or realizing after the first episode that there were 4 more hours was a highlight.  The fact that the movie stuck so closely to the book was a thrill.  The novel experience of seeing actors who actually looked like they should, the stunning scenery, the beautiful music.... There is no doubt about it, when it comes to a period drama adaption, BBC does it best!

--The Elf

Would you like to contribute your own story or see what this series is all about? Please visit the main post here.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Game the Twenty-Ninth: Caption Contest {10}

You know the drill by now.  Exercise your witty witticisms upon this highly interesting piece of photography--


---and the rules are what they always are. We request clean and funny captions (you may submit more than one), and the winning caption will be posted on Saturday, &c., &c.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

How I Met P&P95: Miss Jane Bennet


To explain the way that I met P&P95, I first have to explain how I met Jane Austen.  It all began when I was sitting next to a bookcase, wondering what to read next.  You see, I had read all of the books on its shelves.  Such is the life of a bookworm…

Anyway, I asked my mom if she had any reading suggestions.  She, to my eternal gratitude, suggested that I read Emma, by Jane Austen.  I vaguely remembered hearing something about Austen being a great writer and figured I’d give it a try.

At first, to be honest, I didn’t like Emma.  I found it (sorry for the sacrilege!  I’m a Janeite now!) dry and dull and boring and way too long.  When I finally finished it, I put it away with relief.  But a few weeks later, I found myself in the same predicament as ever.  I had nothing to read.  So, with nothing else to do and feeling certain of further boredom, I began Sense and Sensibility.  I found it more interesting than Emma and admired Elinor Dashwood greatly, but I still didn’t like it much.

However, I liked it enough to give Jane Austen another chance, and I began Pride and Prejudice.  That was the turning point for me.  The witty dialogue, the ironic comments from Mr. Bennet and the wonderful characters all combined to make me fall completely in love with Austen and become a Janeite.  In rapid succession, I read the rest of her novels (Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion), reread Emma, P&P and S&S, and searched frantically for other sources to feed my Austen obsession.  It was around this time that I discovered Yet Another Period Drama Blog.  Some of the posts on it mentioned Austen adaptations.  I wondered whether any movie could really do Jane Austen justice and decided to find out.

My favorite of Austen’s works at that time was S&S, so I looked up a movie version of that at my local library.  I found the 1971 BBC version and watched it ASAP.  Yes, it wasn’t a very good quality movie.  Yes, some of the acting was bad and the costumes were a little strange.  I was hooked on Austen adaptations nonetheless.

I found the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma next, and loved it even more.  Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller were perfect in their roles, and the costumes and sets were gorgeous.  So, I began searching for a P&P adaptation.  I discovered both the 1995 and the 2005 ones at the same time.  My parents were getting a little sick of 5-hour adaptations by this time, so I decided to get the 2005 one first.  I watched it and found it reasonably good.  It was nowhere near the 1995 one, of course, but I didn’t know that at the time.

As I’ve mentioned before, I had discovered Yet Another Period Drama Blog several weeks before I watched the 2005 P&P.  I naturally heard Amy praise P&P95 a lot, and so I was eager to watch it.  I checked it out of the library and waited impatiently until Friday, when I could watch it.

As soon as the opening music played, I fell in love with the movie.  I was already in a fair way to do that, but the horses galloping across the field…and Jennifer Ehle looking like *my* Lizzy…I couldn’t help it.

I watched three episodes of it that night, but then I had to go to bed.  I had to wait for over a week before I could watch the rest of it, which just made me like it even more.  At the ending, my heart went all Wicked Witch of the West on me, and all of a sudden I was more of a Janeite than ever.

And that is how I met P&P95.

***
This story was submitted by Miss Jane Bennet of Classic Ramblings.
We plan to post one every Friday. Yes, this is Saturday--Amy's visit has thrown everything a little out of whack but it should return to normal soon!
To find out more about this blog series, go here.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Giveaway - WINNERS!!

Aaaaand here we are, TOGETHER, to present you the winners of our first giveaway! :)

Mr Darcy Elizabeth Bennet Pride and Prejudice Digital Download
...is Jane! 

Our winner of the lovely prints by Masha Laurence...

Mr.Darcy  and Lizzy Get Lost 5x7 art print.  Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.    Elizabeth and Georgiana at the piano.  Art print. 5x7.
...is Lydia!


And last but not least (dear, how unoriginal of me...), our winner of the Pride and Prejudice sampler from Bingley's Teas is...
...Kathleen Wentworth!

Now, if you winning ladies would contact us (shelvesinthecloset95[at]gmail[dot]com) with your mailing addresses, we shall forward them to the contributors and then they will be on their way! :) Thank you all so much for participating and making this event a success-- we ended up with 119 entries, all told.  :)

Friday, July 12, 2013

For Your Random Information...

We would just like to note that if you wish to send in a story about How You Met P&P95, we would appreciate it if you send the story to us in an email instead of leaving it in a comment.  Also, since we intend to make each story a post in and of itself (as part of the series each Friday) it would be loverly if you could make your story at least 300 words.

Thanks so much and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

~the Misses Dashwood