Sweet Maggnolia

Sep. 29, 2008 - The Scarlet Pimpernel

     I finished The Scarlet Pimpernel yesterday, for it was historical literature that went along with history, in which we are studying in depth the French Revolution. A lot of things lead up to this time in history, and many things are affected in history due to it.

    The Scarlet Pimpernel was written by a woman, born in Hungary, unto which the English language was a second language to her, and yet she wrote her adventurous, inspiring, and time-standing novels in that language. She is a tremendous authoress, who combines proper writing skills with readable material that anyone can easily follow along. Her name was Baroness Emmuska Magdalena Rosalia Marie Josepha Barbara Orczy, also known as Emma within close relationships.

    The Scarlet Pimpernel is a novel, set in the midst of the French Revolution, in the year 1792. The ways of life are changed by the two words Republicans and Royalists. The guillotine is working, and the heads of hundreds people-royals, aristos, peasants, men, women, and children- are lost by the hands and sharp blade of ruthlessness. One hundred people are being beheaded a day just in Paris.

    Yet, innocent men and women along with their children, are fleeing the blood stained streets with the help of a silent league- who follow a single heroic man...the Scarlet Pimpernel. He is a man who braves French legions, mobs, malicious Republicans, and the fate of Madame la Guillotine. This man is the adventurous protagonist.

    The antagonist is Chauvelin, a vicious Republican who is overly anxious to murder every royal family he comes across...and is known for succeeding. He is cunning, and "fox-like" and is willing to risk his authority to find and kill the Scarlet Pimpernel. Chauvelin does not want those he believes he can have upon the blade, stolen and escorted secretly out of France right under his nose.

    One person under Chauvelin's vicious authority is Lady Marguerite Blakeney. A former French actress who married the wealthiest man in England...the honorable and lethargic Sir Percy Blakeney, a close friend to the Prince of Wales. Margeurite had known Chauvelin before the Revolution twisted his thoughts. Chauvelin, ready to do anything to capture the Pimpernel, tortures Lady Blakeney with a choice. She, being a woman able to hear many things and have the clout to have confidential secrets and would be able to find the identity and whereabouts of the Scarlet Pimpernel, is told by Chauvelin that she must chose between the Pimpernel's life, or her brother's, for Chauvelin had recently acquired a piece of paper that could send her brother, Armand, to the guillotine for treason.

    That is all I can to those who haven't read this incredibly intense book. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Baroness Orczy, and her style is very understandable and enjoyable. I encourage all to read this book, if only for the good background on how the French Revolution affected the hearts of her native countrymen.

For more information about The Scarlet Pimpernel go here.

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Sep. 13, 2008 - Sense and Sensibility ~ Old or New?

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As most of us Jane Austen observers know, Masterpiece recently came out with new versions to the novels of Jane Austen. Persuasion, Northanger Abbey ( I was not allowed to watch this one...and I am sure I would detest watching it after the remarks of close Christian family members), Emma, Mansfield Park, and...Sense and Sensibility.

Now we all know that Sense and Sensibility starring the calm Emma Thompson and beautiful Kate Winslet was rather close to the book...leaving out small but major details. I loved this movie...enjoying the music, and acting, however since the new version has come out...I have switched sides.

The new Sense and Sensibility has many things that I enjoy more about the movie...and the fact that I can read through the book while watching the movie and not skip over details that weren't placed in there correctly.

Some reasons that the newer version is closer to the book:

~Both Marianne and Elinor are under the age of twenty...and somehow Emma and Kate seem to make the girls seem like they should be knowledgable...since they are older...they look as if they have already a family...and do not seem like they are still young women.

~In the new version, Miss Lucy Steele is shown with her sister, Anne, who is indeed in the book..the old version has no hint of Anne

~Towards the end of the book, Willoughby has a conversation with Elinor in regards to Marianne and his behaviour...which the old version does not show...and I believe that part to be a small hint of justification towards the villianous Willoughby

~Also in the new, Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood are shown with their son...even though he is a queer little thing...he is mentioned in the book

~Even though Colonel Brandon's ward...the seduced daughter of his one love really has no conversations in the book...the new movie adds her character in...and I think that that hint of who she was...somehow allowed the watcher to care for Colonel Brandon more

~And as for Edward...the book does say that he was not handsome, somewhat shy, and odd...I think that Hugh Grant almost made him seem goofy and not a very serious character

~In the old version...Elinor,I believe, is not really given the hint that she is an artist

In the end...I just enjoy the new movie better...although I could still sit and watch the old one anytime. For me, all of the characters seem to be more in tune with the book, and are more of what Jane Austen imagined them to be like ~

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Aug. 18, 2008 - ~Get Married ~

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I recently read a book titled Get Married by Candice Watters, about how to view marriage and even live like you will be married. Mrs. Watters address how to be firm and witness to others by staying content and just telling people your true dream of being a wife and raising a godly family.

This is a quote from the Ladies Against Feminism blog on Get Married:

"When Candice Watters boldly declares that women need to get serious about marriage and pray for it to happen, it might seem a bit pie-in-the-sky to jaded women who’ve nearly given up. But Mrs. Watters doesn’t just cast the vision; she provides practical, biblical steps that single ladies can take in their quest to become a "Mrs."

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Jul. 29, 2008 - Penelope... Movie Review

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Penelope, starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Richard E. Grant (the Scarlet Pimpernel) and Reese Witherspoon, finally came out this summer after a somewhat long time after filming. We had been waiting for it for maybe close to a year after we first saw the preview...but it took a while to finally appear in DVD form.

So we rented it, and watched it...everyone with eager spirits since it has James McAvoy- we really enjoy his acting in Narnia as Tumnus, and in Becoming Jane as Tom LeFroy but those are the only movies that I recommend of his.

Surprisingly, this fairy tale was sweet, romantic, and humorous. Honestly, I was tired of the silly, frivolous movies and was hoping that this movie would be refreshing and it was. Of course it has the guy-girl relationship...but it is sweet and driven by honest love not zealous lust.

Now for the story-line...Penelope is the daughter of a wealthy family who has a curse upon it. Back in the 19th century, her great- great- etc. grandfather fell in love with a servant and had a child with her, but when he introduced the notion of marrying this poor woman his family twisted his mind and had him marry a more suitable woman, and he never spoke to his first love again. One reason is because the woman, Clara, was devestated and threw herself off a cliff (don't worry...no gory scenes) And then Clara's mother, who just so happens to be the town witch, puts a curse on the family....and she made the first daughter born into that family have the face of a pig, but the curse would only be broken if a high society blue-blood (one of her own kind) to love her until death do them part. And it also just so happens that Penelope is the next daughter born and has the very same face. But that is all that I can say for that would ruin the whole movie...for it has a very interesting twist.

Some hints: this movie is clean, except for some minor slang words, a split second somewhat scary image...well it frightened me but my cousins thought it hilarious, and some quick kissing.

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Jul. 27, 2008 - Emma- The Matchmaker of Jane Austen

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As I have stated in my summer post, I have started and long finished the masterpiece of Jane Austen; Emma, yet it has taken me a while to finally post this post. I personally like Emma, for she has a mistaken character, which she recognizes rather late, and then deals with her consequences. She acts impulsively, but deep down she is a clever girl.

    Emma Woodhouse is born into a wealthy family, and to loving parents. She has one older sister, Isabella, who has married by the beginning of the book. She married John Knightley, and has a few young children.
    Emma's father is cautious but concerned for everyone's health, and is not fond of marriage, for it takes away young people from their previous family. He is widowed and loves his two daughters very much.
    The book starts out after the wedding of Mrs. Weston (previously Miss Taylor), Emma's former governess who is almost her sister. She married a Mr. Weston who has one son from a previous marriage.
    Mr. Knightley, John Knightley's brother, was thrown into the close affections of the Woodhouse family when his brother married Isabella Woodhouse. He comes into their home in ease, and is the only person who dares find fault in Emma, in joke and in seriousness.

    Soon, Mr. Weston, Miss Taylor's new husband, receives a letter from his son, Frank Churchill, who was raised by his late wife's family, acknowledging his visit. So that throws the town into fits of excitement and gossip. A Miss Bates is introduced as the town silly and talker.
    Another key figure is the gentle Jane Fairfax, the ever talked of niece of Miss Bates. Jane is not much liked by Emma for personal reasons and is considered a fine lady by the rest of the community.
    A few more characters are Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton. And now for the plot.

    Emma, is a woman of certain skills and is greatly admired for she is the daughter of a wealthyman, and has beauty as well as a good countenance. Yet, Emma can become mischievous rather easily, and after the wedding of her former governess, of which she believes she deserves the credit for she introduced them, decides that the vicar, Mr. Elton, looked as if he would very much like a wife. And then the arrival of Harriet Smith- a woman more pretty than clever- throws into Emma's head that the two would be a perfect match.
    So, after throwing them together after many little scenarios that she planned secretly, and hinting softly to Mr. Elton, Emma believes that Mr. Elton is vastly in love with her dear Harriet. Yet, after the Christmas ball, Emma finds out that Mr. Elton really loved HER! Emma can not believe that she could've been mistaken and harshly refuses Mr. Elton- still sure that he had too much punch.
    Mr. Elton then leaves the town for a while- to nurse his wounded pride- leaving Emma to nurse her memories. Soon she realizes that all of his small hints had been towards her and that she had deceived herself into thinking that he was for Harriet.
    Poor Harriet is depressed, for Emma had even made Harriet believe that Mr. Elton was for her...Emma had actually persuaded Harriet to refuse Mr. Robert Martin who had proposed earlier. Harriet at first loved Mr. Martin...but a little conversation with Emma on the weak minded can turn anyone's thoughts.
      And Mr. Knightley, Emma's severest critic, believes that Emma is mistaken in supposing that Harriet is good enough for the vicar, for Harriet is the daughter of 'no one knows who'
    Soon, the son of Mr. Weston, Mr. Churchill, finally arrives and also starts the tongues a waggin', for he himself is handsome, witty, and agreeable to the ladies. Emma befriends him and she soon finds herself liking him more and more each day.
    A few months pass, and Mr. Elton returns from his trip into town, and come back with his very own wife. Mrs. Augusta Elton, a woman who is from a somewhat lowered high society who makes everyone a little more than anxious. She is outspoken and is very eager to play the 'higher role of mother' to all of the young ladies who show some prospect.

    Frank Churchill, meanwhile stirs Emma's heart, and she then matches Harriet with him, and Mr. Knightley notices an affect upon her that he does not like. But it all comes out in the end...Emma does not love Frank Churchill- as she thought she did for a while- and that he was actually engaged to Jane Fairfax for many months but was kept secret.
    And after a quick surprise by Harriet who confesses that she was now in love with Mr. Knightley, Emma goes into despair for she realizes that she herself loves him. And prays to God to let her have him, and he does-well Miss Austen does.
    Then after their marriage, Emma and Mr. Knightley live a good life with her aging and somewhat depressed father, while Harriet finally accepts Robert Martin's proposal of marriage-and Emma acknowledges her fault and hastily apologizes to everyone.

I would suggest the 1996 version of the book Emma, with Gwyenth Paltrow, as a very adequate film...just if you don't want to read the book. It portrays everything properly...if I can recall...and is great in the casting.

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May. 18, 2008 - Prince Caspian Movie Review

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contains spoilers*
Prince Caspian, the sort-of sequel to the newest version of C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia came out last Friday to theaters.
Emily Rose summed up her review here, and Rachel summed up her opinions here.

I personally think the movie was very good. The movie that is. The filming was very good and full of imagination and humor...however in following the story line of the book Prince Caspian, it leaves the viewer disappointed.

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Feb. 18, 2008 - Author # 1 : J.R.R. Tolkien "Master of Imaginary Worlds

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J. R. R. Tolkien was born, John Ronald Reuel, on January 3rd, in Bloemfontein South Africa. His father Arthur, was a banker who decided to move to Africa and work at its large bank, taking his young new bride Mabel Tolkien (Suffield), who did not like the surroundings which were hazardous to her two young sons. Mabel and her sons, J. R. R. Tolkien and Hilary Reuel Tolkien, sailed back to England. Arthur, who planned to visit them suddenly became ill with a fever and died in South Africa.

Growing up, Ronald (J. R. R.), enjoyed playing and exploring forests, and reading books such as Alice in Wonderland and Arthurian legends. He later said that his first actual story was at the age of 7, and it was about a Dragon. His mother taught him to read and started in him the love of languages, using Latin, and he later discovered the fascinating language of the Welsh.

Soon after beginning school, Mabel and the boys moved to Birmingham, which many critics have said inspired the dark land of Mordor. Then at the age of sixteen, he met the charming Edith Bratt, a nineteen year old orphan, which was lately like himself. They then decided in the summer of 1909 that they were in love, despite the ideas of their peers and mentors.

In college, he studied the Finnish language and how the language was inspired, which lead to his own legends which would later become The Lord of the Rings. After schooling the war broke out in Europe, and he was made the 2nd Lieutenant in the 13th Reserve Battalion, and specialized in signals, such as morse code and carrier pigeons. However before he was shipped out to France, he married Edith early in the morning in 1916.

Ronald was saved by 'trench fever' by being put into a military hospital, away from the warfare. After returning from the battlefield, he came home and penned his newly formed ideas. He bought a cheap notebook and started his first tale entitled "The Fall of Gondolin" and his vision of elves, startled many critics because of their once formed image of toy makers or little fairy wings.

On November 16th 1917, Edith gave birth to a son, John Francis Reuel, and Ronald continued to write his epic. Soon he was a teacher and making a fortunate income, but he still wanted to write. His second son, Michael Hilary Reuel was born in October 1920, and a third son in 1924, Christopher Reuel. And still his story book filled up, and he met many academic scholars at Oxford, such as C. S. Lewis. Supposedly Tolkien's Christian faith rubbed off on Lewis, who then too became to a Christian, which inspired the children's series the Chronicles of Narnia.

However, the start of World War II took its presence on his family, for his sons were now grown. Still Ronald was writing and getting close to the ending of his first volume. Many months, went into the process of creating the story, and finishing it. But he did finally come up with a first draft of Lord of the Rings.

In 1948, he finished the book, and now needed a publisher. He was then 56 years old. Then, after a good review, inspiration leeked through his hands and compiled The Two Towers in 1954, and then The Return of the King.

As he grew older, he lost touch with Oxford and a society of his friends, such as C. S. Lewis. Their friendship which helped both of their series, was now calm and unmoving. Tolkien even disliked the Chronicles of Narnia series. Soon after that, Edith fell ill, and suffered from arthritis, along with an inflamed gall bladder. Afterwards she was hospitalized and died shortly after. She was eight-two.

Grieving terribly, Ronald tried to keep up with his children and grandchildren, for he was lonely without his beloved spouse of fifty-five. Then in 1972, Queen Elizabeth II named him Commander of the British Army, a year before he developed pneumonia and died at the age of eighty-one.

He and Edith share a tombstone in Wolvercote Cemetery.

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Feb. 16, 2008 - Robert M. Ballantyne Series

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Vision Forum us now selling these adventurous books. The Christian based theme in all of the books is very real, and encouraging, just as intended by the author. The adventures to pirates, ice caves, Eskimos, and gorillas all with the truth of the Bible shining through the words!

They are even illustrated and Hardback, both of which I adore in a book

"R. M. Ballantyne was born into Edinburgh's great 19th century publishing elite. His family firm published both Walter Scott and Thomas Chalmers. No wonder he knew how to spin a classic yarn! His prodigious output of nearly a hundred adventures stories was the natural fruit of the rich Scottish legacy of unbridled courage, undaunted chivalry, literary excellence,Christian virtue, and global vision......may they inspire the next generation to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord." - Dr. George Grant

Even though I do not yet own these books, I would enjoy their presence on our bookshelves. These books seem to appeal to everyone, young boys filled with the eagerness of adventure, parents who love to read godly adventures, and young women who too enjoy adventures.

These little blurps of information were part of the Vision Forum ad for the series.

Also starting this new week, I will try to post some mini biographies of known authors...keep stopping by:-)

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Feb. 4, 2008 - Worth Reading prt. 2

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These books, however, are the books that I planning to read. I am getting better at making myself read the books I want to, and being able to say that I read them within a period of three years!

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

Under the Lilacs and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Prince and the Pauper by Samuel L. Clemens

Emma and Persuasion by Jane Austen

So Much More by the Botkin sisters...I know that it was on my other list, however it is always good to read it every year for encouragement.

4-H manuals...I have to or else I will be armless and legless for the rest of the year

So, if you are in need of a good book, these should be great reads, excluding the manuals

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Jan. 31, 2008 - Worth Reading!

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I have been compiling some good books that I enjoy reading and would pass them onto my fellow bloggers out there in blog-land!

The Scottich Chiefs by Miss Jane Porter, I really enjoy how she writes

So Much More by The Botkin Sisters

The New Answers Book by Ken Ham

Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally

Men Of Iron by Howard Pyle ( although one should be comfortable with mature violent pasages)

Ben Hur by Lew Wallace

The Story of Liberty by Charles C. Coffin

Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe ( also a book with mature toture descriptions)

I will post some more books later.

Have a Blessed New Month!

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Nov. 4, 2007 - In the Beginning...

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In our Wednesday night Bible studies, which started two weeks ago, we are going through Genesis. I am extremely excited for I love Genesis, it is Christians' foundation for their faith and our understanding of our Creator's world. It also exlplains how science and the Bible truly go hand-in-hand!

The first night was through chapters one through three. We should all know the first ten words of the Bible are non-negotiable! They are firm as concrete, actually even firmer! We went over:

Being made in God's image means that we can know rational, emotional, and moral emotions or feelings

When God breathed breathe into Adam, it examplifies how life is only sustained by God, and he is with them, and no man really truly lives until God's breathe of salvation sweeps through his heart

When Eve sinned, Adam was with her, as it tells in v. 6 of chapter 3, meaning he was there when she took the fruit and ate of it. Now why was he not protecting her, like his role called for? Silence really does kill...

Then when Eve gave him the fruit to eat also, he took it, even knowing what God cammanded. He took his wife's words over God's, and in a sense commiting idolatry, having his wife's opinions over God 's commands...I thought that that was interesting how Adam chose to please her over the Creator! 0

And when God told Eve in v. 16 that he would greatly increase her pain, tells that she had already gone through childbirth, showing that Cain's wife was from their descent

Then the second Wednesday, which was last Wednesday, we studied chapters four and five...these were really good observations, but first notice that Adam never speaks again in the Bible. He must've been devestated coming from such splendor and being put into the toiling earth outside of Eden, and that could've been why Cain was able to kill Abel, for their father could've been still dumfounded by having to live in such a lower way of life and not noticing their quarrels.

When Cain offered his sacrifice of vegetables, we automatically assumed that it was from his heart's position that God was angry, and I also think that was another reason, but also in the verses before in chapter 3:17, God also cursed the ground. Cain's offering came from the ground, instead of sacrificing blood as God said, "without the shedding of blood, there can be no reminision of sins"

After Cain murdered his brother, God asked him and yet he tried to ignore the fact, which was why God became angry: he did not confess, and as with David, a man after God's own heart, sinned, but he confessed and that made his bond with God so much deeper

"God is the ultimate gentlemen, he will not force himself on anyone, his rules with justice and righteousness, and his love has boundaries as all great loves should, for without that your love will have no respect" Ohhh, I just love that! I am big on chivalry and no one could be more chivalrous than God. Think about how grand of a gentlemen He is!

I hope you enjoyed our discussion, and I hope it maybe has struck a few interests and different ideas!

I would also like to thank Emily Rose A.K.A. vintagegirl on my lovely blog! Didn't she do a nice job! I think we should give her a hearty round of applause! (A hush falls over the crowd!) Just kidding!

Well Everyone Better Have A Nice Day, or else...I will...be...very...uh....disappointed! Yeah that's it! Count your Blessings...that should take up a lot of time! Just like this did!

Maggnolia

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