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July 09, 2008
Jane Austen on Killing Jihadists
I have a deep and abiding belief that within Jane Austen's work one can excavate finely-tuned wisdom on all the great questions of life.
It's true that Jane's towering literary reputation rests on her perfectly realized evocations of the mating rituals of the rural British gentry, but within that narrow canvas there are worlds within worlds.
I woke up at 5 AM this morning. Couldn't sleep. Found myself pondering Jane's thoughts regarding terrorism and killing the bad guys.
Okay, I freely admit it's not an area she explores in her novels, though Jane lived during the bloody Napoleonic Wars, and two of her brothers, Charles and Frank, served in The Royal Navy, both rising to the rank of admiral. And of course Her Majesty's dashing officers play central roles in several Austen novels.
So: I'm anything if not tenacious and I finally discovered a pointed, sarcastic Austen quote that applies nicely to liquidating terrorists:
“How horrible it is to have so many people killed! And what a blessing that one cares for none of them!”
—The Letters of Jane Austen
Whatever.
Listen, if you can find a better Austen quote about killing terrorists, puh-leese send it in.
Steady, lads, time to send those jihadists to bloody hell where they belong!
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at July 9, 2008 10:31 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Only you could find a bridge between all of these subjects. : )
Posted by: Alice at July 9, 2008 11:33 AM
Alice:
Next post: Jane Austen on Eyebrows:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 9, 2008 01:59 PM
Nicely crafted Robert
Posted by: mata hari at July 9, 2008 05:36 PM
If killing with words counts, Austen had some humdingers.
"I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal."
"If there is anything disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it."
"The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love."
What made you think of Austen in the wee hours?
Lovely blog. Thanks.
Cheers, Laurel Ann
Posted by: Laurel Ann at July 9, 2008 10:10 PM
Mata Hari:
Thanks so much. I try, oh how I try.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 9, 2008 11:24 PM
Laurel Ann:
Thanks so much for the great quotes. Gosh, Jane really had literary chutzpah.
When I'm in the middle of a screenplay my brain just won't shut down. I sleep little as I obsess on the scenes I've written—how bad they are, and the scenes I have yet to write—how lousy they will turn out. Thus, in the wee hours I often grab a Jane Austen novel in order to soothe the restless beast.
You have a brilliant website. I've already bookmarked it. I'll be checking in regularly.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 9, 2008 11:34 PM
I think Mr. Avrech is a sucker for an empire waist. And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact a healthy chunk of our wedding budget was spent on a French silk damask number right out of "Pride and Prejudice". : )
Posted by: Alice at July 10, 2008 05:58 AM
Alice:
Alas, you have discovered my great weakness. When Karen steps into one of her little empire waist numbers—I am lost, putty in her hands.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 10, 2008 08:48 AM
Jane was one smart lady. Good choice on your part.
Posted by: Leora at July 13, 2008 03:22 AM
Leora:
Jane was a pistol, actually a flintlock.
You get the idea.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 13, 2008 06:55 PM