The quote you share from Fanny Price here is one of my absolute favorites from Austen! I know some readers find Fanny difficult to like because they find her strong moral convictions and her commitment to them "priggish," but I admire her character for these very same reasons.
The lesson I most return to from Jane Austen, though, comes from Pride and Prejudice, when Darcy excuses the poor impression he made on the people of Hertfordshire on his lack of social ease. Elizabeth's response is something I always keep in mind when I'm facing something I find difficult: "My fingers do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do . . . but then I have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I would not take the trouble of practising." I think this exchange also reflects the themes of change and growth you analyze so well here, as Elizabeth points out that we all have it within our power to do better--if only we commit to the necessary work!
Fanny is such a fantastic heroine! I love the connection you made - that quotation is definitely in the same vein, I didn't even think of that scene. 😍 Jane Austen is so inspiring!
The quote you share from Fanny Price here is one of my absolute favorites from Austen! I know some readers find Fanny difficult to like because they find her strong moral convictions and her commitment to them "priggish," but I admire her character for these very same reasons.
The lesson I most return to from Jane Austen, though, comes from Pride and Prejudice, when Darcy excuses the poor impression he made on the people of Hertfordshire on his lack of social ease. Elizabeth's response is something I always keep in mind when I'm facing something I find difficult: "My fingers do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do . . . but then I have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I would not take the trouble of practising." I think this exchange also reflects the themes of change and growth you analyze so well here, as Elizabeth points out that we all have it within our power to do better--if only we commit to the necessary work!
Fanny is such a fantastic heroine! I love the connection you made - that quotation is definitely in the same vein, I didn't even think of that scene. 😍 Jane Austen is so inspiring!