Day 19: A Fictional Problem That Sticks In Your Mind

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship]

Is there a particular dilemma or challenge you’ve encountered in a book that you find yourself occasionally thinking about even long after the fact? Maybe it’s to wonder how you would fare in the character’s situation, or to thank your lucky stars that you’ve never had to deal with it, or to pick apart the ways in which it was all nonsensical anyway.

One I’ve always remembered is from Ella Enchanted, which I read numerous times as a child. In case anyone is unfamiliar, a misguided fairy “blessed” Ella at birth with obedience, meaning she’s enchanted to become immediately physically ill if she ever tries to disobey an order given to her by anyone. The only out is getting someone to countermand the order.

I often think about this situation when I encounter advertising phrased in the form of an order: “Buy our product!” “Visit our website!” “Donate today!” And then there's the homeless people on the street demanding that you stop and listen to them, and the insults phrased as orders ("go to hell!" etc.). The modern world is such a barrage of orders that Ella would fare quite poorly unless she could manage a technological workaround, perhaps a recording on her smartphone of a loved one telling her not to do the things. As a separate issue, it occurs to me now that I think about it that this book would likely have gone to some very dark places if it had been written for adults.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ]

In The Magpies, a young couple is excited to move into their new flat. It's not a rental, they have purchased it, sinking all of their money into the downpayment. At first everything is great, but then it slowly dawns on them that their neighbors are dangerous psychos who have it in for them.

As these poor kids are subjected to a campaign of terror from which there seems to be no way to escape, I tried to figure out what they could've differently, what my husband and I would've done differently. It really stuck with me.

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship]

Ange H wrote: "In The Magpies, a young couple is excited to move into their new flat. It's not a rental, they have purchased it, sinking all of their money into the downpayment. At first everythin..."

That is an interesting one! Why can't they just sell the place (or perhaps they do in the end)?

[Melindam]

We haven't talked about Jane Austen for a long time, right? :)

So let me present you my (probably) biggest fictional dilemma: the ending of Mansfield Park, which to me is still a kind of disappointment, even though it became a milder one with age.

This is my least favourite Austen novel and every time I read it, I still feel slightly sad about Fanny ending up with Edmund. But this is Austen's genius for you.
Even tough she finishes the novel the way she does, she clearly implicates that it could have been different, had Henry Crawford behaved differently.
Among Austen's "bad guys", to me, Henry Crawford is the most rounded character, with several sides to him and with huge potential, even though he wastes it in the end. And while it is his own fault, I cannot, but feel sorry for him.
Edmund is morally upright, kind, noble (though incredibly obtuse and conveniently blind), but such a bore that even thinking about him makes me yawn. And he and Fanny together.... well, a power-couple they ain't.

Of course I know this is not P&P, and Mansfield Park is not a romance or a love story, and their coming together is highly symbolic as well as the entirety of the novel, but this is something that I just cannot let go... ever. :)

[Gogol]

Melindam wrote: "We haven't talked about Jane Austen for a long time, right? :)

So let me present you my (probably) biggest fictional dilemma: the ending of Mansfield Park, which to me is still a kin..."

Yes!!!! It’s my least favourite as well, and I much rather she had ended up with Henry because it’s clear that Edmund would take her for granted for the rest of their lives and think he’s God’s gift to Fanny.

The one problem sticking in my mind, though, are thé Eagles in lord of the Rings. That and one of the stories in Shahnameh. But you’re not familiar with that one. The thing is, Gandalf could have easily asked one of the eagles to help take Frodo to Mordor, have him drop the ring in the volcano and then bring him back! Safe and sound!

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ]

Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship wrote: "...That is an interesting one! Why can't they just sell the place (or perhaps they do in the end)?..."
I forget the exact reason, I was thinking about that as I wrote my post; I assume it was financial, the market fell and they would've lost everything.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ]

Gogol wrote: "Melindam wrote: "We haven't talked about Jane Austen for a long time, right? :)

....I much rather she had ended up with Henry because it’s clear that Edmund would take her for granted for the rest of their lives and think he’s God’s gift to Fanny. ..."

Gogol, Melinda - PLEASE tell me you have or plan to read Henry and Fanny: An Alternate Ending to Mansfield Park. It was SO good. With all love and respect to Jane, I really prefer this ending!

[Melindam]

Ange, how could I say NO to You?! :D

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ]

🥰

[Gogol]

Ange H wrote: "Gogol wrote: "Melindam wrote: "We haven't talked about Jane Austen for a long time, right? :)

....I much rather she had ended up with Henry because it’s clear that Edmund would take her for grante..."

Yaaaaay! Love the sound of the title! Thank you!