Jane Austen discussion
Mr Darcy - 'an unlikely sex symbol' ?
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Just my own opinion:I thought the brief clips of Colin Firth were nice but I didn't care for the piece very much due to the reporter's snark factor and the use of such phrases as “groupie subculture”; these are “not women but ladies”; and the AGM as “the literary equivalent of a Star Trek convention”. I think it totally missed the entire point of why Austen's work and characters are so beloved after 200 years.
Oh I agree! I found the video amusing because he was so oblivious to the real reason for such love and consequent fandom of Jane Austen's work. The main reason as portrayed by him is Mr Darcy, which is not true.(But as I said, I did like his way of describing Darcy as a 'thinking woman's heart throb')
Yes, Soph, that was a very good choice of words!
The link won't load! Austen wrote an intelligent man looking for someone who would challenge him. Darcy has attracted millions of fans, yet I would never call him a sex symbol. Always thought a sex symbol is one of those immaculately dressed,good looking because of a team of specialists, likely cheering on their better half type of guys.
That is true. I don't really think of him as a sex symbol. Sex symbols do not have intelligence and manners!
Mr. Darcy is a sex symbol thanks to Colin Firth in a wet shirt. I wouldn't consider book Mr. Darcy a sex symbol. I think it would embarrass him to be thought of that way. I don't mind "Thinking woman's heartthrob" too much though. It's OK to dream and sigh over a hero but Mr. Darcy doesn't make me act that way. Now, Captain Wentworh on the other hand...
That's a great way to put it, thinking it would embarrass him! Haha!! But i completely agree it would! And Colin Firth in the wet shirt... You are right, that is the sex symbol to which he refers. Captain Wentworth is indeed another 'thinking woman's heart throb' - anyone who can write such a letter would earn this title!
Went worth is sexier, he's less proper.
I agree with Qnpoohbear. Mr. Darcy is not a sex symbol. I think that he is so loved because ultimately he is a normal man.
I am sure some of you have come across this news item already but I thought I would post it anyway. it is a fun video featuring a few clips of an interview with Colin Firth.
I found two phrases used by the reporter particularly interesting...
He describes Mr Darcy as 'an unlikely sex symbol' and also 'the thinking woman's heart throb'
Now, I agree with the latter and I think it is a wonderful way to phrase it, however I am not sure about the former and the use of the word 'unlikely' - Jane Austen fandom is huge and Mr Darcy is universally loved. I understand he is a different sort of sex symbol to what might be considered a sex symbol today however I do not think the word 'unlikely' is quite right - most people who read/watch pride and prejudice fall for Mr Darcy! Perhaps 'different' or 'unique' would be a more appropriate word?
Any thoughts?