Reading Log #7

Every week I edge closer and closer to accomplishing my number one goal for the semester: reading all of the novels written by Jane Austen.  Unfortunately, this being my last reading log, I have fallen slightly short and have just begun the final novel on my journey, Mansfield Park.  I spent the week finishing the last 50 pages of Emma and beginning the first 50 of Mansfield Park.  Although I have not accomplished my goal by the end of the semester, I plan to finish Mansfield Park this summer.  This book has truly fascinated me because it has taken a completely different view point than Austen’s other books.  Fanny Price is a young girl who was raised by her rich aunt and uncle and is treated terribly by all of her cousins except Edmund whom she secretly loves.  Although the same basic themes and motifs remain the same, the difference in plot line and emphasis on the theme of family has truly taken a new light in this novel.  I’m excited to continue reading it and see how Austen plans to travel down this peculiar plot line.  Reading all of these novels by Austen has really made me evaluate my own life because I have seen the various factors that have affected her characters.  I’ve found myself considering what positively and negatively affects my life and what ways I can relate to the characters in Austen’s novels.  Since all of the settings in her novel are based in early 1800 England, I feel as though I’ve learned a substantial amount about the culture and lifestyle of the Romantic Era.  Not only has reading these books expanded my personal evaluation of life, but also my knowledge on Britain’s history.    

Reading Log #6

After reading the next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, I’ve discovered that this book is significantly longer than her others.  50 pages still remain between my current spot and the ending.  As I near finishing this one, I look forward to reading a non-fiction book and Mansfield Park to complete my reading goals.  The more I read Jane Austen, the more I find that I enjoy her and that my reading tastes truly differ from most people.  The majority of my friends express to me their disbelief that I’m reading her books for fun.  After reading Sense and Sensibility in AP Literature, many of my friends have forever turned their backs on her classic literature.  On the other hand, I cannot seem to get enough of the high caliber humor.  She intelligently weaves her elevated wit and satire into each of her novels, but if her style is not appreciated, then the humor will go to waste.  I’ve also found that from reading her books my vocabulary on an everyday basis has improved substantially.  By truly immersing myself into her work, I’ve found that I’ve been inspired to elevate my writing and vocabulary to a whole new level.  I enjoy the fact that through Austen’s consistent plots based around marriage and society, she has managed to personally challenge me.  That is simply one of a plethora of reasons why Austen is an author worth reading.    

Reading Log #5

After reading the next 100 pages of Jane Austen’s Emma, I found that unlike the other books, the enticing and captivating element of mystery was a common occurrence.  Most of Austen’s books have a slight section of hesitant doubt about the relationship of some of the characters actually working out, but the ultimate direction and ending is usually fairly clear.  In Emma, the various twists and turns of the plot along with the countless characters creates the perfect breeding grounds for a plethora of mystery.  Nothing with any of the characters seems to be set in stone and all of their actions seem to contradict their last; I can honestly say I’m not sure how the book will end.  This mystery adds a fresh new pace to the classic novel.  As I progress in Emma, I get closer to completing my reading goal of finishing all of the Jane Austen novels.  I can not wait to solve this mystery and then move forward and finish the final novel, Mansfield Park.  

Reading Log #4

The next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, Emma’s sense of superiority gets the best of her when her attempt of match-making with her friends Harriet and Mr. Elton backfires.  One night when they are alone, Mr. Elton declares his love and offers a proposal of marriage to a flustered and shocked Emma.  Through this turn of events, Emma is forced to somewhat humble herself and admit against the will of her prideful heart that she was in the wrong.  Emma in many ways, aside from her constant attitude of superiority and unbearable pride, is in a situation much like Austen herself.  Both are not married (at least Emma is not so for now) but both live in a society where marriage is the driving focus and livelihood for nearly every female.  Being married to a man with the right characteristics, family situation, and monetary stability absolutely consumes every woman with the exception of Austen and her character Emma.  The ironically similar and unusual view of society gives the book an edge.  As I hit the halfway point of this novel, I step closer and closer to accomplishing my goal of reading all the Jane Austen novels.       

Reading Log #3

This week, I embarked on a journey down the first 100 pages of another Jane Austen novel.  Emma is by some thought to be Austen’s best novel, and I can see where the idea sparked because this novel mediates from the regularly trodden path of her other works.  The main themes are kept constant, marriage and society; however, the point of view in this story changes from what is normally a lover to someone who is watching love affairs from the outside.  From the get-go it’s obvious that pride and thinking her opinion to never be in the wrong are Emma’s tragic downfalls.  In the first 100 pages, the time bomb is ticking as the reader sees inconsistencies and flaws in Emma’s plan to unite Mr. Elton and Harriet.  Her arrogance and pride blind her from seeing that her “invincible” plan is doomed to fail.  Most of Austen’s novels are told from the point of view of the sensible, reasonable, unflawed character.  Reading Emma has so far shown me the versatility of Austen’s takes on her world.  Reading this novel pushes me toward accomplishing my reading goal of finishing all the Jane Austen novels; I’m excited to continue the journey through the rest of the novel.

Reading Log

This week I started down the path of my journey to accomplish what is, in my opinion, my hardest and most important reading goal, to finish all of the Jane Austen novels.  After starting it over a month ago, I finally finished the last 100 pages of Northanger Abbey.  It was one of Austen’s shorter and earlier novels, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.  It was difficult to make the switch back to Austen novels after reading an easier, leisurely book like The Hunger Games.  However, the difference in culture, elevated diction, and at times hard to decipher humor presented a challenge that revived my passion for classic literature and reverence for Austen.  Although most of her story lines are the same and many of my colleagues that have read her work complain that her novels are either full of just women talking or story lines built up only to be resolved nonchalantly in the last two pages of the novel, there is a simple, rustic elegance about the masterful way she weaves a path through the complex maze of a woman’s mind and articulates it flawlessly while still containing a subtle criticism on society, marriage, and the social standing of women.  Her style is so complicated yet so simple its intriguing.         

Reading Log and Reading Goals

Reading Goals:

• Read every Jane Austen novel.
• Read in 5 different coffee shops.
• Read one non-fiction novel.
• Go on a “reading picnic” with a group of friends.

This week I read the last part of the Hunger Games, and honestly it was hard to tear myself away. I found myself going to the point of planning my schedule around it.  I would strategically plan “homework breaks” while studying or get my classes a few minutes earlier just to read the next few pages.  I told myself I needed to hurry and finish the book since the movie’s release date is fast approaching, but honestly, I was just addicted.  It was simply that good.

While talking to my cousin about the book, he pointed out an eye-opening factor by saying, “The Hunger Games has a corrupt government because, let’s be honest, every good novel has one.”  Initially I disagreed with his suggestion, but once I processed it more in depth I realized he was right.  Of course a corrupt government is not always needed, but many popular novels have them.  For example, Twilight has the Volturi, a very disturbing clan of ruling vampires.  Fahrenheit 451 has a government dedicated to the destruction of books.  The Giver has a bland world without music or color due to government regulation.  Although many are science fiction and placed in futuristic societies, the factor of a corrupt government has become a common occurrence.  However, the audience is not so much captured by the government themselves, but more the individuals that shake the chain of order and serenity by testing the government’s boundaries and breaking their rules.  Not only does this add an adrenaline rushing level of suspense and danger, but it helps the character’s develop and usually discover who they truly are and what they believe in.  Through the tool of a corrupted government, individuals in this book break the current of popular, acceptable society and choose to follow their own uncharted path leading down the path of self-discovery and individuality.  The confidence, boldness, sacrifice, and strength of these characters is inspiring and causes the reader to desire firmly grounded beliefs and the courage to stand up for them.  All around the focus on finding oneself and breaking away from the status quo has become popular as the focus of individuality rises in our culture.  

      This type of writing really appeals to me because I want to be a person that is strong enough to stand up for what I believe in no matter what opposition I may face.