Austenland Love

Love. These four letters encompass an emotion so complicated, writers have been writing about it for years. From Aphrodite, goddess of love, to Stephenie Meyer's lovelorn vampires and werewolves (cough cough Twilight cough cough), and bajillions of books in between, fictional characters are always trying find love… and usually stepping in it when they least expect it. Love happens. Just like dog poo. Jane Austen might not have been a goddess, but she wrote some of the most enduring romantic books in the English language. Sure, Pride and Prejudice might not be as steamy as a Harlequin romance, but it's gotten tons of women hot under the bodice for its dark and brooding hero, Mr. Darcy. Jane Hayes of Austenland is no different. She's not just trying to find love, she's trying to find her one, true Mr. Darcy.

Questions About Love

1. Does Jane love Henry? Does Henry love Jane? Why or why not?
2. Did Martin love Jane or was he only paid to love Jane?
3. How does Jane's love for the fictional Mr. Darcy compare to her love for the real Henry?

Chew on This

Jane wouldn't have been happy if she'd fallen for Martin, because she'd constantly be comparing him to Mr. Darcy, and a gardener can never live up to a gentleman.

Jane won't ever be truly happy, with Henry or with anyone else, until she gives up on the idea of a real-life Mr. Darcy.