Reading and Writing in a Digital Age

“And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house. The tumult of her mind was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and, from actual weakness, sat down and cried for half an hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy ! that he should have been in love with her for so many months ! so much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent his friend’s mar- rying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case, was almost incredible ! it was grati- fying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride, his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane, his unpardon- able assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for a moment excited.”

– Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Every time I read this book, I never fail to marvel at the way Jane Austen captures so precisely the feelings and emotions of people with words. There are many passages within her works that are just amazing and this is only one of them. Although this excerpt may not seem to be as relate-able as others out of context, It really stands out to me because it packs so much emotion through the wording. Every word used has an impact and adds to the expression as opposed to taking away from it. Here Elizabeth is simply shocked at Mr.Darcy’s proposal but the way Jane Austen managed to describe it made me feel like there was some sort of torrential storm in the characters minds. Her writing is extremely captivating and keeps me on my feet and most importantly makes me feel.

Hey, apparently a few of you also use the internet as a controlled distraction when working. If any of you are looking for a good ‘white noise’ then check out this link that I stumbled upon a long time ago. It helps my concentration a lot when I’m working, its called RainyMood.com. It just makes it sound like its raining, with the occasional sounds of thunder. Nothing special. Check it out if you’re interested.

“If nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that–warm things, kind things, sweet things–help and comfort and laughter–and sometimes gay, kind laughter is the best help of all.”
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess

A Little Princess is practically crawling in sage advice and wisdom. This quote is so honest and true, I can’t help but get teary eyed when I read it. This little girl lost all of her worldly possessions and loved ones in the world, and yet she has an understanding that most people simply dont. If you dont have any money, you are not a less valuable person, and you still have so much to give. Aside from being extremely inspiring, this quote makes me feel like the little kids are the ones who have it right. Bacause they know what really matters. And it isnt money.

“One day Cunegonde, while walking near the castle, in a little wood which they called a park, saw between the bushes, Dr. Pangloss giving a lesson in experimental natural philosophy to her mother’s chamber-maid, a little brown wench, very pretty and very docile. As Miss Cunegonde had a great disposition for the sciences, she breathlessly observed the repeated experiments of which she was a witness; she clearly perceived the force of the Doctor’s reasons, the effects, and the causes; she turned back greatly flurried, quite pensive, and filled with the desire to be learned; dreaming that she might well be asufficient reason for young Candide, and he for her.”

This quote is from Voltaire’s “Candide.”

I love this quote because it is what really pulled me to read the rest of “Candide.” I was afraid that it would be too dry and that the political commentary it made would be incomprehensible. This innuendo for Cunegonde seeing her tutor and her mother’s chambermaid having sex in the woods, and, from seeing it, developing her own desire for Candide, made me laugh out loud in my high school’s library. It wasn’t a very well-used library, so my laughter didn’t affect anyone else, but it gave me sufficient reason to continue reading.

“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don’t talk of our separation again: it is impracticable”

– Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

When I first read this passage from Bronte’s book, I was deeply moved by Catherine’s (the speaker) words. Catherine speaks of a connection so deep and profound that it is undeniable that it is true love. Despite her feelings, Catherine is caught in a love triangle between Linton, the man she is married to, and Heathcliff, the man she deeply loves. She compares her love for Heathcliff as “the eternal rocks beneath” showing how she needs him in her life to provide stability and comfort. This simile is contrasted with her love for Linton which is like “the foliage in the woods”, which is ever changing and not as necessary. This passage is surprising in its raw and exposing nature but what us more surprising is that Emily Bronte wrote this story when she was only 16, showing her great ability as a writer.