I've been picking up poetry again. Most of what I've been coming up with is too personal for me to post right now, though.
I did discover over the week of Christmas that I have to tap myself when trying to figure out the syllables for a haiku. I can't tap the table or someone else's leg; it has to be my own. I guess I have to feel the weight of my fingertips in order to feel the poem. (Yeah, that was intentionally artsy-fartsy.)
To prove that I've been writing, here's the haiku I was composing when I learned the above quirk.
One Way
There is only one
Way to kiss the insides: to
Love as He doth love.
2010-01-03
Reading Journal
Well, I finished the first book of 2010 tonight. Yep, I finally finished O Pioneers! A good read, as always. I was a little hesitant to read it tonight, since I was in the middle of the White Mulberry section, and that one is particularly depressing. And I've been of such good spirits lately that I didn't want to lose that. But I pushed through it, anyway. And, boy, am I glad I did! I forgot how much the ending cheers me up. Alexandra's story has always brought a peaceful feeling that I don't get from many other stories. Here's what she says to Carl at the very end of the book. (Not quite the final lines.)
She admits to belonging to the land "now more than ever. You remember what you once said about the graveyard, and the old story writing itself over? Only it is we who write it, with the best we have."
...
"Lou and Oscar can't see those things," said Alexandra suddenly. "Suppose I do will my land to their children, what difference will that make? The land belongs to the future, Carl; that's the way it seems to me. How many of the names on the county clerk's plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother's children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it for a little while."
I finished The Greatest Virtue a while ago. It was commonplace.
I started Tweak, but don't feel comfortable reading that on Sundays. I'm really hoping it picks up, though. I don't know how much more I can take of it. And it better end well, or I'll be mad.
Looking forward to starting Dreams of My Russian Summers. This is one I picked up a few days ago, when Half Price was having a 20% of sale. It's my Random.
List time!!
New: Tweak
Random: Dreams of My Russian Summers
True: Planet of the Umps (tale of Ken Kaiser, the only baseball umpire to make a name for himself)
Old: Catcher in the Rye (I just discovered that I do have a copy of this book, despite thinking otherwise. It's been so long since I read it that I want to see if I still like it.)
Off I go to reading land!!
She admits to belonging to the land "now more than ever. You remember what you once said about the graveyard, and the old story writing itself over? Only it is we who write it, with the best we have."
...
"Lou and Oscar can't see those things," said Alexandra suddenly. "Suppose I do will my land to their children, what difference will that make? The land belongs to the future, Carl; that's the way it seems to me. How many of the names on the county clerk's plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother's children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it for a little while."
I finished The Greatest Virtue a while ago. It was commonplace.
I started Tweak, but don't feel comfortable reading that on Sundays. I'm really hoping it picks up, though. I don't know how much more I can take of it. And it better end well, or I'll be mad.
Looking forward to starting Dreams of My Russian Summers. This is one I picked up a few days ago, when Half Price was having a 20% of sale. It's my Random.
List time!!
New: Tweak
Random: Dreams of My Russian Summers
True: Planet of the Umps (tale of Ken Kaiser, the only baseball umpire to make a name for himself)
Old: Catcher in the Rye (I just discovered that I do have a copy of this book, despite thinking otherwise. It's been so long since I read it that I want to see if I still like it.)
Off I go to reading land!!
2009-11-29
Reading Journal
I read quite a considerable amount more during October than I did during September. That's because in September, I was busy finding a place to live and moving there. Once moved in, there was no television to speak of. It's all digital out here, and we didn't have a way to watch digital. So I read and crocheted a lot. Harnessed my inner old lady. (And loved it, btw.)
Oh, and I didn't have much internet, either, so the lit blog got a *tad* neglected. It happens. Needless to say, I need to update the reading list on the sidebar.
I finished "Our New Nation" as well as "Sense and Sensibility."
I also picked up "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" as my New. I literally laughed out loud for minutes at a time upon reading the first chapter. However, it started dying about half way through. The story changes a little bit and I had a difficult time getting over the author doing that. Besides, the whole bottom half of the book felt like the author was rushing just to be done with it. It lost a lot of the flavor of the original that he had managed to keep in the first half. Which I considered a shame. I've heard there's "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" out, though. Not sure I'm ready to pick that one up, seeing how disappointed I was with the last of PP&Z.
I had some help picking out a Random. Pulled all the books from my bookshelf that I hadn't read yet (one of my goals is to have read all the books that I own) and narrowed it down to a couple. I was on the phone with a friend and asked them to pick right or left or 1, 2, or 3 or something like that. Didn't say what the titles were, so it truly was random. And it was a rather dry choice. Freud's "The Psychoanalysis of Everyday Life." I didn't even make it 50 pages before counting my breeze through "YHWH is NOT a Radio Station In Minneapolis" as my Random Read. (It's a short humor book. Sort of like the ABC's on Jewish beliefs.)
Then I picked up "The Greatest Virtue" by Pat Robertson as my True. (The answer is humility.) It's been okay. Not the most interesting thing I've ever read, but it does get me thinking about things while I'm reading it. Deciphering what I agree with and what I don't agree with.
For my Old, I'm doing a re-read of one of my faves: O Pioneers! by Willa Cather. I bought this book in the fall of 07, after I had been in Nebraska a short while. I had liked "My Antonia" well enough and assumed I'd like this one, too. I was right. I decided last November I wanted to read through it again. It's become an annual tradition of mine, I guess you could say. Because I picked it up just the other day (Nov. 22) and discovered a break-out slip from work that I must have been using as a bookmark the last time I read it. It was dated Nov. 21, 2008.
O Pioneers!
In the Barnes & Noble edition, there is an introduction by Chris Kraus which I browsed before reading this time. (I've probably read it before, though.) And one thing that he said shed some light as to why I enjoy this book so much. He spends some time talking about Cather's distaste for women authors because all they write about is romance.
"But as Joan Acocella points out, one of Cather's greatest achievements was to write fiction in which love and marriage comprise only partial aspects her female protagonists' destinies. Alexandra does marry Carl, but this isn't the point of the story. By the time they marry, Alexandra's character has already been formed--by her relationship to the land, and to others; she is not defined by her marriage."
Reading through it, I've recognized some quotes that often run through my head so often that they're memorized.
p.11
"There is often a great deal of the child left in people who have had to grow up too soon."
p. 27
A new favorite comes just before an old one here.
"A steady job, a few holidays, nothing to think about, and they would have been very happy."
"A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves."
p. 29
The exchange between Carl and Alexandra when he tells her his family is moving back to St. Louis; I have obtained more understanding about human emotion from this scene than probably any other literature I have read.
"She brushed the tears from her cheeks, not trying to hide them."
Alexandra to Carl: "It's by understanding me, and the boys, and mother, that you've helped me. I expect that is the only way one person ever really can help another." I actually used that in a letter I wrote to someone.
Carl to Alexandra: "We've someway always felt alike about things."
Alexandra to Carl: "Yes, that's it; we've liked the same tings and we've liked them together, without anybody else knowing....We've never either of us had any other close friend....and now I must remember that you are going where you will have many friends."
p. 35
"For the first time, perhaps, since that land emerged from the waters of geologic ages, a human face was set toward it with love and yearning. It seemed beautiful to her, rich and strong and glorious....The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or a woman."
Oh, and I didn't have much internet, either, so the lit blog got a *tad* neglected. It happens. Needless to say, I need to update the reading list on the sidebar.
I finished "Our New Nation" as well as "Sense and Sensibility."
I also picked up "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" as my New. I literally laughed out loud for minutes at a time upon reading the first chapter. However, it started dying about half way through. The story changes a little bit and I had a difficult time getting over the author doing that. Besides, the whole bottom half of the book felt like the author was rushing just to be done with it. It lost a lot of the flavor of the original that he had managed to keep in the first half. Which I considered a shame. I've heard there's "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" out, though. Not sure I'm ready to pick that one up, seeing how disappointed I was with the last of PP&Z.
I had some help picking out a Random. Pulled all the books from my bookshelf that I hadn't read yet (one of my goals is to have read all the books that I own) and narrowed it down to a couple. I was on the phone with a friend and asked them to pick right or left or 1, 2, or 3 or something like that. Didn't say what the titles were, so it truly was random. And it was a rather dry choice. Freud's "The Psychoanalysis of Everyday Life." I didn't even make it 50 pages before counting my breeze through "YHWH is NOT a Radio Station In Minneapolis" as my Random Read. (It's a short humor book. Sort of like the ABC's on Jewish beliefs.)
Then I picked up "The Greatest Virtue" by Pat Robertson as my True. (The answer is humility.) It's been okay. Not the most interesting thing I've ever read, but it does get me thinking about things while I'm reading it. Deciphering what I agree with and what I don't agree with.
For my Old, I'm doing a re-read of one of my faves: O Pioneers! by Willa Cather. I bought this book in the fall of 07, after I had been in Nebraska a short while. I had liked "My Antonia" well enough and assumed I'd like this one, too. I was right. I decided last November I wanted to read through it again. It's become an annual tradition of mine, I guess you could say. Because I picked it up just the other day (Nov. 22) and discovered a break-out slip from work that I must have been using as a bookmark the last time I read it. It was dated Nov. 21, 2008.
O Pioneers!
In the Barnes & Noble edition, there is an introduction by Chris Kraus which I browsed before reading this time. (I've probably read it before, though.) And one thing that he said shed some light as to why I enjoy this book so much. He spends some time talking about Cather's distaste for women authors because all they write about is romance.
"But as Joan Acocella points out, one of Cather's greatest achievements was to write fiction in which love and marriage comprise only partial aspects her female protagonists' destinies. Alexandra does marry Carl, but this isn't the point of the story. By the time they marry, Alexandra's character has already been formed--by her relationship to the land, and to others; she is not defined by her marriage."
Reading through it, I've recognized some quotes that often run through my head so often that they're memorized.
p.11
"There is often a great deal of the child left in people who have had to grow up too soon."
p. 27
A new favorite comes just before an old one here.
"A steady job, a few holidays, nothing to think about, and they would have been very happy."
"A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves."
p. 29
The exchange between Carl and Alexandra when he tells her his family is moving back to St. Louis; I have obtained more understanding about human emotion from this scene than probably any other literature I have read.
"She brushed the tears from her cheeks, not trying to hide them."
Alexandra to Carl: "It's by understanding me, and the boys, and mother, that you've helped me. I expect that is the only way one person ever really can help another." I actually used that in a letter I wrote to someone.
Carl to Alexandra: "We've someway always felt alike about things."
Alexandra to Carl: "Yes, that's it; we've liked the same tings and we've liked them together, without anybody else knowing....We've never either of us had any other close friend....and now I must remember that you are going where you will have many friends."
p. 35
"For the first time, perhaps, since that land emerged from the waters of geologic ages, a human face was set toward it with love and yearning. It seemed beautiful to her, rich and strong and glorious....The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or a woman."
2009-08-12
Reading Journal
Yeah, there's a reason I haven't updated this one in a month...I haven't been reading for leisure much. Not because I don't have leisure time; I do. My first excuse is that I've been opening a lot, which requires me to be out the door by 4:40 a.m. to be there on time. Which makes reading my scriptures when I wake up not as possible as I'd like it to be. So I've been reading them on my break at work, which was when I normally did my leisure reading. Also, we've got cable. And it's been hot out, so not as much opportunity to sit outside and read.
I have managed to knock out a few pages in this month, though. But I feel a little guilty for renewing my library book online since I know a librarian who got laid off the other day.
Our New Nation
I didn't mark any quotations. So either I wasn't struck by anything or I was, didn't have an appropriate way to mark the page and have forgotten.
However, I do remember enjoying reading the section about "Cowboys on the Plains." Especially when the book went into great detail on the trek from Texas to the midwestern meat packinghouses.
Oh, but here's a little gem from p. 239, on the spreading of our nation into the islands of the Pacific.
"...and today the population [of Hawaii] is made up of brown-skinned Hawaiians, yellow-skinned people from China and Japan, and white people mostly from the United States."
How hilariously un-PC.
_________________________________
Sense and Sensibility
So I've apparently read more from this than I thought, considering my last quote came from chapter 19 and my first one for this post comes from chapter 22 and my bookmark is on 40. However, I had a piece of paper inserted randomly into the book, mistook it for my bookmark and read for 4-5 pages, thinking it was familiar from the movie. Just more proof that I have zero reading retention. (I'm hoping that my pulling out and posting quotes helps at least a little with that.)
Chapter 22
"I certainly did not seek your confidence," said Elinor (to Lucy).
I like the way that sounds and have felt that way many times. Especially during one circumstance this past month.
Chapter 23, near the beginning
Elinor's thoughts after Lucy's news on the way Edward had treated herself at Norland
"Her mother, sisters, Fanny, a had been conscious of his regard for her at Norland; it was not an illusion of her own vanity. He certainly loved her. What a softener of the heart was this persuasion! How much could it not tempt her to forgive! He had been blameable, highly blameable in remaining at Norland after he first felt her influence over him to be more than it ought to be. In that, he could not be defended; but if he had injured her, how much more had he injured himself! If her case were pitiable, his was hopeless. His imprudence had made her miserable for a while; but it seemed to have deprived himself of all chance of ever being otherwise. She might in time regain tranquillity; but he, what had he to look forward to? Could he ever be tolerably happy with Lucy Steele? Could he, were his affection for herself out of the question, with his integrity, his delicacy, and well-informed mind, be satisfied with a wife like her--illiterate, artful, and selfish?
"The youthful infatuation of nineteen would naturally blind him to everything but her beauty and good nature; but the four succeeding years--years which, if rationally spent, give such improvements to the understanding, must have opened his eyes to her defects of education: while the same period of time, spent on her side in inferior society and more frivolous pursuits, had perhaps robbed her of that simplicity which might once have given an interesting character to her beauty."
That is why I love Austen.
Chapter 31, near the beginning
Marianne on Mrs. Jennings
"'No, no, no, it cannot be,' she cried; 'she cannot feel. Her kindness is not sympathy; her good-nature is not tenderness. All that she wants is gossip, and she only likes me now because I supply it."
How true that can be sometimes.
Chapter 36, near the beginning
"One thing did disturb her [Mrs. Jennings]; and of that she made her daily complaint. Mr. Palmer maintained the common, but unfatherly opinion among his sex, of all infants being alike; and though she could plainly perceive at different times the most striking resemblance between this baby and every one of his relations on both sides, there was no convincing his father of it; no persuading him to believe that it was not exactly like every other baby of the same age; nor could he even be brought to acknowledge the simple proposition of its being the finest child in the world."
Chapter 37, smack in the middle
I wish I could quote this all...I've tried to pick out the good parts, but it's all good. The exchange between Marianne and Elinor in this chapter is one of my favorites of the story. When Marianne discovers not only how long Edward has been engaged to Lucy, but how long Elinor has known of it and Marianne accosts her sister...it's an exchange of sisterhood at it's finest. If you don't have a sister and want to understand the bond that sisters have, despite being so different in personality, read this exchange. (Or watch this scene in the movie, I guess. But the book does better at conveying the relationship, I think.)
Yet one more reason I love Austen.
I have managed to knock out a few pages in this month, though. But I feel a little guilty for renewing my library book online since I know a librarian who got laid off the other day.
Our New Nation
I didn't mark any quotations. So either I wasn't struck by anything or I was, didn't have an appropriate way to mark the page and have forgotten.
However, I do remember enjoying reading the section about "Cowboys on the Plains." Especially when the book went into great detail on the trek from Texas to the midwestern meat packinghouses.
Oh, but here's a little gem from p. 239, on the spreading of our nation into the islands of the Pacific.
"...and today the population [of Hawaii] is made up of brown-skinned Hawaiians, yellow-skinned people from China and Japan, and white people mostly from the United States."
How hilariously un-PC.
_________________________________
Sense and Sensibility
So I've apparently read more from this than I thought, considering my last quote came from chapter 19 and my first one for this post comes from chapter 22 and my bookmark is on 40. However, I had a piece of paper inserted randomly into the book, mistook it for my bookmark and read for 4-5 pages, thinking it was familiar from the movie. Just more proof that I have zero reading retention. (I'm hoping that my pulling out and posting quotes helps at least a little with that.)
Chapter 22
"I certainly did not seek your confidence," said Elinor (to Lucy).
I like the way that sounds and have felt that way many times. Especially during one circumstance this past month.
Chapter 23, near the beginning
Elinor's thoughts after Lucy's news on the way Edward had treated herself at Norland
"Her mother, sisters, Fanny, a had been conscious of his regard for her at Norland; it was not an illusion of her own vanity. He certainly loved her. What a softener of the heart was this persuasion! How much could it not tempt her to forgive! He had been blameable, highly blameable in remaining at Norland after he first felt her influence over him to be more than it ought to be. In that, he could not be defended; but if he had injured her, how much more had he injured himself! If her case were pitiable, his was hopeless. His imprudence had made her miserable for a while; but it seemed to have deprived himself of all chance of ever being otherwise. She might in time regain tranquillity; but he, what had he to look forward to? Could he ever be tolerably happy with Lucy Steele? Could he, were his affection for herself out of the question, with his integrity, his delicacy, and well-informed mind, be satisfied with a wife like her--illiterate, artful, and selfish?
"The youthful infatuation of nineteen would naturally blind him to everything but her beauty and good nature; but the four succeeding years--years which, if rationally spent, give such improvements to the understanding, must have opened his eyes to her defects of education: while the same period of time, spent on her side in inferior society and more frivolous pursuits, had perhaps robbed her of that simplicity which might once have given an interesting character to her beauty."
That is why I love Austen.
Chapter 31, near the beginning
Marianne on Mrs. Jennings
"'No, no, no, it cannot be,' she cried; 'she cannot feel. Her kindness is not sympathy; her good-nature is not tenderness. All that she wants is gossip, and she only likes me now because I supply it."
How true that can be sometimes.
Chapter 36, near the beginning
"One thing did disturb her [Mrs. Jennings]; and of that she made her daily complaint. Mr. Palmer maintained the common, but unfatherly opinion among his sex, of all infants being alike; and though she could plainly perceive at different times the most striking resemblance between this baby and every one of his relations on both sides, there was no convincing his father of it; no persuading him to believe that it was not exactly like every other baby of the same age; nor could he even be brought to acknowledge the simple proposition of its being the finest child in the world."
Chapter 37, smack in the middle
I wish I could quote this all...I've tried to pick out the good parts, but it's all good. The exchange between Marianne and Elinor in this chapter is one of my favorites of the story. When Marianne discovers not only how long Edward has been engaged to Lucy, but how long Elinor has known of it and Marianne accosts her sister...it's an exchange of sisterhood at it's finest. If you don't have a sister and want to understand the bond that sisters have, despite being so different in personality, read this exchange. (Or watch this scene in the movie, I guess. But the book does better at conveying the relationship, I think.)
Yet one more reason I love Austen.
2009-07-11
Reading Journal
I was bad. I bought a book today. Technically, I bought two. One was a birthday present, however. The other one I bought...I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it and put it in my "new" category, in case Pride, Prejudice and Zombies doesn't come through by the time I'm ready for it.
Our New Nation
It has really been interesting to see how time has changed how we view history. Textbooks like this today have more history to cover, so they can't really go into much depth, despite there being more information readily available. Journals being found and all that jazz.
Whenever I read general history books, it's always been interesting to see what gets revealed about Mormonism. A lot of the ones that I read during my schooling talked about Joseph Smith and some of the trials they went through on their way to Nauvoo. They also lumped the Mormon Trail into the unit with the Oregon Trail, mentioning Brigham Young in passing. And that was the end of the coverage of Mormonism. Except for the obligatory discussion on polygamy, which I found amusing more often than not.
This book takes a different spin. Smith didn't even make it into the index. The trials of the early saints discussed were not the persecution that drove them from place to place. Rather, it was the trek across the country and their settling Utah and making it a state. Since there were fewer states in 1948 and less wars to discuss the history of, "Our New Nation" has been able to discuss how many of the states were settled and became states. I don't remember getting that from my history books. Then again, maybe I would have learned this things in school had I been paying attention.
[Quotes]
Anyone know of Cornelius Cox? Starting on page 149, they quote some excerpts from his journal traveling to California during the gold rush.
"There is one young lady with our company, a Miss Wayland from western Texas. She is about sixteen and quite a pretty girl. I have claimed kinship with her mother, whose maiden name was Cox. But she refuses to acknowledge me unless I will shave, which is a condition I cannot comply with."
p. 163 explains, perhaps, why history can be so hard to understand.
"The long continued story which history tells is divided into many short stories. Often these short stories tell about happenings which were going on at the same time."
___________________________________________
"Sense and Sensibility"
I won't comment on the plot or writing in general, since there have been plenty of Austen critics who are much more qualified to do such, but allow me to say that I do understand why Emma Thompson made Sir John a widow, even though his wife provides an ample parallel in the relationship between family. That, and his wife is (by her nature) a rather minor character.
[Quotes]
I'll quote by chapter, since there are probably as many versions as there are chapters.
Chapter 4
Elinor discussing her opinion of Edward with Marianne.
"...I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments, and heard his opinions on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well informed, his enjoyment of books exceeding great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure. His abilities in every respect improve as much upon acquaintance as his manners and person. At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and teh general sweetness of his countenance is perceived. At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or, at least, almost so."
Less wordy: She finds him pretty on the outside because she thinks he's pretty on the inside.
Chapter 15, nearing the end
Elinor discussing Marianne's possible engagement to Willoughby with their mother.
Mrs. Dashwood: "I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly....Have we not perfectly understood each other? Has not my consent been daily asked by his looks, his manner, his attentive and affectionate respect?"
Elinor: "I confess...that every circumstance except one is in favour of their engagement, but that one is the total silence of both on the subject, and with me it almost outweighs every other."
Chapter 18
Marianne and Edward, discussing art and beauty.
Edward: "Remember, I have no knowldge in the picturesque, and I shall offend you by my ignorance and want of taste, if we come to particulars."
Chapter 19
Good advice
"You are are in a melancholy humour, and facny that anyone unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness."
Our New Nation
It has really been interesting to see how time has changed how we view history. Textbooks like this today have more history to cover, so they can't really go into much depth, despite there being more information readily available. Journals being found and all that jazz.
Whenever I read general history books, it's always been interesting to see what gets revealed about Mormonism. A lot of the ones that I read during my schooling talked about Joseph Smith and some of the trials they went through on their way to Nauvoo. They also lumped the Mormon Trail into the unit with the Oregon Trail, mentioning Brigham Young in passing. And that was the end of the coverage of Mormonism. Except for the obligatory discussion on polygamy, which I found amusing more often than not.
This book takes a different spin. Smith didn't even make it into the index. The trials of the early saints discussed were not the persecution that drove them from place to place. Rather, it was the trek across the country and their settling Utah and making it a state. Since there were fewer states in 1948 and less wars to discuss the history of, "Our New Nation" has been able to discuss how many of the states were settled and became states. I don't remember getting that from my history books. Then again, maybe I would have learned this things in school had I been paying attention.
[Quotes]
Anyone know of Cornelius Cox? Starting on page 149, they quote some excerpts from his journal traveling to California during the gold rush.
"There is one young lady with our company, a Miss Wayland from western Texas. She is about sixteen and quite a pretty girl. I have claimed kinship with her mother, whose maiden name was Cox. But she refuses to acknowledge me unless I will shave, which is a condition I cannot comply with."
p. 163 explains, perhaps, why history can be so hard to understand.
"The long continued story which history tells is divided into many short stories. Often these short stories tell about happenings which were going on at the same time."
___________________________________________
"Sense and Sensibility"
I won't comment on the plot or writing in general, since there have been plenty of Austen critics who are much more qualified to do such, but allow me to say that I do understand why Emma Thompson made Sir John a widow, even though his wife provides an ample parallel in the relationship between family. That, and his wife is (by her nature) a rather minor character.
[Quotes]
I'll quote by chapter, since there are probably as many versions as there are chapters.
Chapter 4
Elinor discussing her opinion of Edward with Marianne.
"...I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments, and heard his opinions on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well informed, his enjoyment of books exceeding great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure. His abilities in every respect improve as much upon acquaintance as his manners and person. At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and teh general sweetness of his countenance is perceived. At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or, at least, almost so."
Less wordy: She finds him pretty on the outside because she thinks he's pretty on the inside.
Chapter 15, nearing the end
Elinor discussing Marianne's possible engagement to Willoughby with their mother.
Mrs. Dashwood: "I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly....Have we not perfectly understood each other? Has not my consent been daily asked by his looks, his manner, his attentive and affectionate respect?"
Elinor: "I confess...that every circumstance except one is in favour of their engagement, but that one is the total silence of both on the subject, and with me it almost outweighs every other."
Chapter 18
Marianne and Edward, discussing art and beauty.
Edward: "Remember, I have no knowldge in the picturesque, and I shall offend you by my ignorance and want of taste, if we come to particulars."
Chapter 19
Good advice
"You are are in a melancholy humour, and facny that anyone unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness."
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