08 June 2004 01:28
i have just finished my first reading of austen's "mansfield park" and must confess myself disappointed with the ending. the book is loooong for an austen novel, at least twice as long as p&p. so about halfway through i was expecting a resolution, only to find i had another 150 pages to go. i think she stretched it a bit too far. her heroine's angst was well felt at first, but after a while with no relief, it becomes dulling. but i guess happy endings are harder to write well than one would think--mayhaps that's why i like odd/unhappy endings better, becuase they tend to be better written. at least the final chapter to an unhappy ending doesn't typically commence, "well gentle reader...."that aside, emma is still by far my favorite work of hers.
speaking of the era, it's been over a year now since i struggled through "wuthering heights," and i have half a mind to try it again. time of course, erases the bad memories, but i can't help but think that knowing the end (or at least having a vague idea of it) would help me read it with more pleasure. it certaintly was a strange work.
speaking of years, i have now passed by my first ever anniverserary of being employed full-time continuously by one company for a year. ...um... that went quick.
speaking of quick, i made it home from long beach in 35 minutes this afternoon on my bike. that's over a 15mph average, and i was somewhat impressed. either that or i was just glad to have made it home. prior to leaving i had to patch two holes in my rear tire...lovely reminders of a trip on thursday. a bunch of guys from work (six of us total) went riding around in some parks up in fullerton. that was a lot of fun.. i've never been riding with that many people before, esp on dirt trails.
speaking of a bunch of guys from work, we had a beach party on saturday after work for all to come. despite the fact that the very term "beach party" repels me, i went. i even had to hitch a ride to go. after eating a hamburger and a small steak and commencing on "mansfield park," i finished up by watching the volleyball game. i eventually ended up joining said volleyball game, with somewhat deleterious results.
speaking of bad results, i need to go memorize some test answers or i shall have some unpretty results..
Sir Thomas was most cordially anxious for the perfection of Mr. Crawford's character in that point. He wished him to be a model of constancy; and fancied the best means of effecting it would be by not trying him too long.
despite "mansfield park" not being a favourite, austen still remains to be treasured--her wit is most illuminating.
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