In an attempt to criticize Kate Middleton, British radio host Sandi Toksvig has dismissed her as being ‘very Jane Austen.’ Now I cannot even begin to fathom how that could be construed as negative, but it gets worse. Toksvig complains of Kate, “I cannot think of a single opinion she holds—it’s very Jane Austen.”
Clearly Toksvig has never actually read any Jane Austen, because her books are almost entirely composed of characters giving their opinions.
In fact, Austen’s novels were actually rather progressive in her day because her heroines were so expressive. Spirited Elizabeth Bennet readily speaks her mind, much to the discomfiture of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who remarks “upon my word, you give your opinion most decidedly.” Mr Darcy notices this also, and it’s one of the things that draws him to Lizzy.
Emma Woodhouse also shares her opinions eagerly, even when, as noted by Mr. Knightley, they are completely off-base. “Mr Knightly loves to find fault with me,” she tells her father. “We always say what we like to one another.” Indeed, Emma dislikes Jane Fairfax precisely because “there was no getting at her real opinion. Wrapt up in a cloak of politeness, [Jane] seemed determined to hazard nothing She was disgustingly, was suspiciously reserved.”
Marianne Dashwood, aka ‘sensibility,’ is most demonstrative about her romantic ideals. Her sister Elinor, who has more ‘sense,’ is equally ready to counter with arguments for reason. To Colonel Brandon she worries that Marianne’s openness is “setting propriety at nought.”
Also in this novel, the respectable and educated Edward Ferrars realizes that he cannot love Lucy Steele when her letters contain flattery but no substance.
While Persuasion’s Anne Elliot may be reserved, her opinion is well-regarded (except by her unkind father and sister). After Louisa Musgrove’s accident, both her brother Charles and war hero Captain Wentworth turn to Anne for advice and leadership. “‘Anne,’ cried Charles. ‘What is to be done next?’”
Even Fanny Price, the ‘Most Likely to be Voted a Pushover,’ takes a stand when her cousins plan to perform a risqué play. She also, despite enormous pressure, refuses to marry the disingenuous Henry Crawford, which gets her banished from Mansfield Park. Both Fanny and Lizzy Bennet decline financially advantageous proposals from foppish men, despite the very real threat of indigence and homelessness.
If Kate Middleton is like a Jane Austen character, it is because she exhibits a similar tempered resolve as well as much grace under challenging circumstances. Why all this Kate bashing? Ahem, Hilary Mantel.
In addition to strong heroines, Austen liked to poke fun with a variety of foolish, ill-informed, and opinionated characters. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, though she has never studied piano, determinedly criticizes the finger work, style, and execution of anyone who plays for her. From the tiresome Mr. Collins, to the know-it-all Mrs. Elton, to the pompous Sir Walter Elliot, these caricatures opine confidently, and often nonsensically, on topics they know nothing about. Does this not seem rather like Sandi Toksvig in her disparaging of Jane Austen (and of Kate)? Perhaps it is Toksvig who is the Jane Austen character after all.
British Radio Host Hits Out at Duchess of Cambridge as ‘Very Jane Austen’
Author Hilary Mantel Calls Kate Middleton ‘Plastic’ and ‘Designed to Breed’
Hilary Mantel Defends Kate Middleton Comments
Royal Bodies — A Lecture by Hilary Mantel
Great post! I agree with everything you said. Some people are so ignorant.
LikeLike
Are you really going along with the Mantel bashing in a post premised on reading what a person has actually written?
LikeLike
Not Mantel bashing. (Loved Wolf Hall and BUTB!) But she did cause a stir. And even taken within the article, she is rather dismissive of Kate. “Designed by a committee and built by craftsmen,” etc, etc.Notice, I also included a link to her defense of her comments. But good point. I will also link to Hilary Mantel’s paper on Royal Bodies.
LikeLike
I think she may be more dismissive of the image of Kate, than Kate herself. I’m surprised by the Toksvig thing: she is highly educated, intelligent, and will have read Austen. In general, I don’t trust the Mail or the Huffington Post to report these things accurately. The article doesn’t say anything about where the interview took place, where one can read it, or who conducted it.
LikeLike
You are right that that Mantel was aiming to examine the royals dispassionately, but to me it did come across harsh on Kate. (Seemed more sympathetic to Charles and Harry.) It threw me that Mantel would say Kate was “designed by committee” when Anne Boleyn was groomed and steered by the Howards. I did not mean, however, to bash Mantel. Just cite the episode–so thank you for the feedback. That’s interesting about Toksvig. Here I can confess abominable ignorance as I know nothing of her. The orig article was in the Guardian. I should have linked to that but I’ve noticed they sometimes put up a sign-in wall to visitors. Still, good point that about linked to more ‘newsy’ outfits. The Daily Mail never changes link locations (which I’ve experienced w/BBC and others). But need to reexamine that.
LikeLike
I definitely think being accused of being Jane Austen like is actually a compliment. Great post.
LikeLike
Ha, what a silly thing to say! One of the reasons I love Jane Austen is because of the female characters. Marianne Dashwood and Lizzy are definitely my favourites, they are so ready to speak their minds.
LikeLike
Loved this post! I completely agree with everything you said…yes perhaps critics should think before making flippant remarks, which make no sense whatsoever!
LikeLike