I am sure we would all have to agree, Mrs. Jennings is just SO MUCH FUN!! Her facial expressions (see the picture above), her loud boisterousness, her love for matchmaking (and meddling) and the way she talks and talks without stopping for breath are all part of what make her a memorable character.
Mrs. Jennings is a widowed older woman who has married off all her children and lives with her son-in-law and his family. She and Sir John enjoy teasing Elinor and Marianne about any obvious love interests, and she regularly visits her married daughters and takes a general interest in their affairs.
Jane Austen said " [Mrs. Jennings] was a very agreeable, cheerful woman." And she is! Everybody enjoys watching her match make, interfere, and take interest in everyone else's affairs.
And even though it doesn't always seem like it, Mrs. Jennings has a good dose of common sense. While Lady Middleton thinks that Fanny Dashwood is perfectly charming, Mrs. Jennings declares that " She appeared nothing more than a little, proud-looking woman of uncordial address." Also when her daughter Charlotte thinks her new baby is ill, Mrs. Jennings diagnoses the trouble as "nothing in the world but red-gum."
She also defends Edward when John Dashwood blames him for keeping his engagement to Lucy, declaring that Edward is an honest man and that Lucy is a good girl (*insert Lydia snort*) and deserves a worthy husband.
She is also extremely kind to Elinor and Marianne, inviting them to stay in London with her, continually ignoring Marianne's rudeness, and staying at Cleveland to help Elinor care for Marianne when she becomes sick. (She also shipped Marrianne and Colonel Brandon from the beginning which earns her extra bonus points in my book ;))
Mrs. Jennings Best Quotes
Mrs. Jennings is a widowed older woman who has married off all her children and lives with her son-in-law and his family. She and Sir John enjoy teasing Elinor and Marianne about any obvious love interests, and she regularly visits her married daughters and takes a general interest in their affairs.
Jane Austen said " [Mrs. Jennings] was a very agreeable, cheerful woman." And she is! Everybody enjoys watching her match make, interfere, and take interest in everyone else's affairs.
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| Linda Basset as Mrs. Jennings, Sense and Sensibility (2008) |
And even though it doesn't always seem like it, Mrs. Jennings has a good dose of common sense. While Lady Middleton thinks that Fanny Dashwood is perfectly charming, Mrs. Jennings declares that " She appeared nothing more than a little, proud-looking woman of uncordial address." Also when her daughter Charlotte thinks her new baby is ill, Mrs. Jennings diagnoses the trouble as "nothing in the world but red-gum."
She also defends Edward when John Dashwood blames him for keeping his engagement to Lucy, declaring that Edward is an honest man and that Lucy is a good girl (*insert Lydia snort*) and deserves a worthy husband.
She is also extremely kind to Elinor and Marianne, inviting them to stay in London with her, continually ignoring Marianne's rudeness, and staying at Cleveland to help Elinor care for Marianne when she becomes sick. (She also shipped Marrianne and Colonel Brandon from the beginning which earns her extra bonus points in my book ;))
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| Elizabeth Sprigg as Mrs. Jennings, Sense and Sensibility (1995) |
Mrs. Jennings Best Quotes
“It would be an excellent match, for he was rich, and she was handsome. . . . she was always anxious to get a good husband for every pretty girl.”
“I wish with all my soul his wife may plague his heart out!”
" Indeed! Is that Ferrars with an F ?"
“I wish with all my soul his wife may plague his heart out!”
" Indeed! Is that Ferrars with an F ?"
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| Mrs. Jennings response to one of Mr. Palmer's hilarious comments |
That's about all for now! Sorry that it's been so long since I last posted, I'm going to try and be better about that... maybe... kinda... sort of. And I am in the process of working on a post answering your questions so hopefully that is coming soon, unless I am first attacked by the all consuming, time eating monster known as School *runs and hides*
Ta ta for now!
Mrs. Jennings is definitely an entertaining woman. I never got past her meddling though - thank you for pointing out her better side!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
Thanks for commenting Catherine!!
DeleteShe certainly is! I'm glad that I did!! :D :D
I loved this Miss Woodhouse!!! It makes me laugh all the time. Mrs Jennings is so hilarious, she makes people laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you so much Rachel!! What a sweet comment :D <3
DeleteYes she is, I love watching her XD!!
I love Mrs. Jennings!!!! Yes, her shipping Colonol Brandon and Marianne from the begining puts her on the list of characters I like!! Also, her and Mr. Palmer, it's too much. I am laughing like crazy ever time.
ReplyDeleteI was snorting like Lydia at the same time you were!!!
Great post!
Isn't she awesome!!! :D Yes definitely! Oh yes her sparring with Mr. Palmer is hilarious!! XD
DeleteReally!? Haha yes Edward may be worthy, but Lucy isn't exactly "a good girl." :P
Thank you MovieCritic!!
I LOVE MRS. JENNINGS. She is absolutely hilarious. And she really is good at making matches; I rather like who she "ships" sometimes (like Colonel Brandon and Marianne, of course). :D
ReplyDeleteAnd this post is absolutely perfect, I loved reading it so much!!!
Yes isn't she hilarious!!
DeleteYes, she knew from the beginning that Marianne and Colonel Brandon were meant for each other!
Awww thank you so much Rae!! :D