| This blog explores social attitudes in Jane Austen's time, discusses her novels, reviews forgotten 18th century novels, and throws some occasional shade at the modern academy. The introductory post is here. My "six simple questions for academics" post is here. Spoilers abound in my discussion of these forgotten novels, and I discuss 18th-century attitudes which I do not necessarily endorse. |
CMP#224 Speechifying in Victoria
A toast to Jane: "Blessed be her shade"! I recently spent a weekend with the Jane Austen Society of North America--Victoria Chapter to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth. Celebrations and special events are planned for all over the world, but Victoria is an especially beautiful place for Janeites to gather together. The weather was fabulous, sunny but not too hot, and many participants were decked in their best Regency finery.
The weekend featured knowledgeable speakers talking about crafts, quilts, and fashions in Austen's time. I met some fellow authoresses of JAFF (Jane Austen fan fiction). We are all research junkies, I think. We love learning more about Regency life and putting these events in context for our readers.
The theme for the conference was "The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen," so I turned to some research I've posted here on my blog, concerning the social and even religious strictures against female wittiness in Austen's time. Since Austen knew she was a superb comic genius, what was it like for her to live in a world where moralists and authors of conduct books basically condemned female wittiness?
I really enjoyed sharing my research with a knowledgeable audience of Janeites. Who else would get my Fordyce's Sermons joke?
The weekend featured knowledgeable speakers talking about crafts, quilts, and fashions in Austen's time. I met some fellow authoresses of JAFF (Jane Austen fan fiction). We are all research junkies, I think. We love learning more about Regency life and putting these events in context for our readers.
The theme for the conference was "The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen," so I turned to some research I've posted here on my blog, concerning the social and even religious strictures against female wittiness in Austen's time. Since Austen knew she was a superb comic genius, what was it like for her to live in a world where moralists and authors of conduct books basically condemned female wittiness?
I really enjoyed sharing my research with a knowledgeable audience of Janeites. Who else would get my Fordyce's Sermons joke?
Jane with attitude
I was too busy listening to the interesting talks and enjoying myself to take many photos, but Michelle S. of our Vancouver chapter pulled us together for a group photo of the Vancouver delegation. That's my power point presentation behind us. "Snarky" Jane Austen was created by feeding the standard prettified version of Jane Austen into Chat GPT and asking for a snarky version of her.
I was too busy listening to the interesting talks and enjoying myself to take many photos, but Michelle S. of our Vancouver chapter pulled us together for a group photo of the Vancouver delegation. That's my power point presentation behind us. "Snarky" Jane Austen was created by feeding the standard prettified version of Jane Austen into Chat GPT and asking for a snarky version of her.
| Victoria is a city with heritage architecture in a gorgeous natural setting. It is also a city famed for its gardens. Our ingathering reception was held at beautiful Goward House, placed amongst the arbutus trees in a quiet road near the university. The back yard was peaceful and gorgeous, my photo doesn't do it justice. The view from the breakwater near the conference venue was just stunning, and the Costume promenade on Sunday morning drew a lot of local publicity! I'm always so impressed by the detail and creativity that the costumers put into their elegant ensembles! |  A peaceful evening at Goward House, Victoria, BC |
| Thanks to all the volunteers of JASNA Victoria for all the hard work they put into making this event happen! Jane lies in Winchester, blessed be her shade! Praise the Lord for making her, and her for all she made. And while the stones of Winchester—or Milsom Street—remain, Glory, Love, and Honour unto England's Jane! -- Rudyard Kipling | |
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