Literary heroine blog party

Today I am participating in the Literary Heroine Blog Party hosted at Accordion to Kellie. A while ago I found some of the posts to last years party, and I was so sad it was closed for entries, so I am very excited to be able to participate in it this year.

~ The Questions ~

Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

 Hello I'm Rose P, and I love anything classic, be it books, music, movies, houses, furniture or history in general. 

Though I haven't knowledge of all the classic accomplishments I would like to, I have been playing the piano since I was 13, and took up drawing a few years ago.

I love learning new things and have currently a list of at least 5 languages that I want to learn. I also like learning about nature and animal life, I think it is one of the biggest wonders in life.

Something random about me...I go around singing show tunes most of the time when I'm alone, and sometimes around other people too, which makes for some funny situations.

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

A true heroine is one who is not afraid to do what is right, even if everyone around her tries to tell her otherwise. She is kind, puts the needs of others before her own and is willing to make sacrifices.

But the most important is that she is a real human being with weaknesses, she has to fight, so they don't stand in her way.

Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.    

Well, the heroine I relate to the most is Ellinor Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility. Like her I feel deeply but let few know. And I admire the way she is strong for everyone, and does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it.

I also greatly admire Fanny Price from Mansfield Park. She is timid and shy but has an iron will when it comes to her values, and no one can get her to do something that goes against her conscience.

Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables is another heroine I relate to. I love how she is able to always keep her imagination through life, and how she always tries to see the best in the people she meets.    

Five of your favorite historical novels?

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Little Women by Louisa Alcott

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Desiree by Annemarie Selinko

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why?

That must be Catherine Morland. I love her innocent view on the world, and how she is sometimes so oblivious to what is actually going on around her. In the book she is quite laughable at times, but I like to believe my view on the world is a lot like hers (except the Gothic fantasies of course).

Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

I like Laurie Lawrence a lot. He has so many funny ideas and takes initiative to a lot of things. I think I would love to have him as a neighbour.

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

I have always wanted to go to the English countryside and drive around to all the big mansions and castles, and maybe even spend a night at one of them.

But I would also love to go to USA and take a tour in the north eastern states. I have heard the nature is very beautiful, and the cities there are full of history and old houses, which I have a weakness for.

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

Definitely the Regency period in England.

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

I would probably play a classical piece on the piano, or maybe sing something.

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

That's a tough choice. I would feel very tempted to come as an Austen heroine. But I would probably go as Anne Shirley - that way I get to wear a wig, or to dye my hair red and shock everybody.

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

A life without chocolate would be very grim indeed.

Favorite author(s)?

Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jules Verne, Joanna Campbell, Baroness

Emmuska Orczy.

Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?    

My camera, my sketchpad and at least two books.

In which century were most of the books you read written? 

 The 19. century

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

That must be Mr. Thornton from North & South. There can't be said enough of how perfect he is, and I went on quite a ramble on the subject here.

Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A little house with a big front porch, and filled it with a mix of old fashioned and modern furniture. It should be located in a quiet neigbourhood with easy access to nature but not to far from the city either.

Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.   

Simple and casual yet timeless.

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 

No. That is the privilege of the author.

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

Iago from Othello. I haven't even read the play, but just hearing the summary made me hate him intensely.

Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

Wild Swans by Jung Chang

Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Geographica (an atlas)

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

I would go for a long walk in the woods or by the water. Or even better - bring a book on said walk and find a sunny spot to read.

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

It would be a classic simple ladies hat with a big shade. Add a ribbon and a few flowers in red or pink tones and it is perfect.

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

Well the event itself happened a bit over a year ago, when I moved out in my own apartment. It took quite a while to get used to living alone, but now I can't imagine it any other way.

Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

"Those hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will soar on wings like eagles.  

They will run and not grow weary; They will walk and not tire out.” - Isaiah 40:31