Literary Heroine Blog Party - The Answers

It has become that wonderful time of year where Kellie at Accordion to Kellie hosts her Literary Heroines Blog Party. Last year was my first time participating and I had so much fun that not even a month long writer's block could keep me from being a part of it again this year. 

I have really tried to give new answers this year, but there may be one or two recurring themes from last year's post.
But enough with the chitchat - let's get on to the questions.

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

Hello, I am Rose P. As I always find it very hard to describe myself when asked to I will just share a list of random facts that hopefully illustrate my character.

I love anything old fashioned, my current fascination is 40's hairstyles and 50's dresses, and I have an undying love of old mansions, castles and Regency England.

My hobbies include playing the piano, drawing, reading and daydreaming.

I love cultural things as ballet, plays and big stage musicals.

When I was younger I wanted to be a writer - still does, though I'm terrible at writing my stories down.

Hope that gives you an idea.

  

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

A true heroine has to be real - with strengths and weaknesses you can relate to, and she has to grow during the story. I admire heroines who are patient, kind, unselfish and has an inner strength while still maintaining their femininity.  

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

A heroine I've really grown to admire lately is Margaret Hale. She is strong for her whole family when they need it, she is kind and patient with her silly relatives and overbearing with her sometimes troublesome parents. But through it all she is still a perfectly well mannered young lady.

I also love Amy Dorrit. I've only read the first half of the book but never have I met such an unselfish heroine with such a strong family feeling.

And I cannot write this post without including Ellinor Dashwood, my all-time favourite heroine. She is strong for everyone through hard times, and I relate so well to her personality.

                                         Five of your favourite historical novels? 

North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy

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

Well....I set myself up for a tough one here.
I'm gonna choose Fanny Price from Mansfield Park, just because she is another of my favourite heroines. She has strong principles and no one can talk her into something she thinks is wrong. For more reasons why I love her check out this post. 

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

Mr. Thornton, without a doubt. Why? Do you even need to ask why? I could give you a long lists of reasons, but then I would never get this post finished, so let it suffice to say he is perfection itself and one of my favourite literary characters.

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

Right now I'm dying to go to London, and really have the time to see all the gorgeous architecture. I would of course have to see at least one musical in the West End (preferably Les Miserables), have tea in a real tea salon and do a lot of really British things. I would probably also fangirl a bit about seeing the locations of Doctor Who in real life.

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

Definitely Regency England.

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

I would probably play a classical piece of music on the piano.

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

It would be really fun to get to dress up as a Austen heroine with bonnet, ribbons and it all. I would probably choose Elizabeth Bennet, that way I can go around quoting Pride & Prejudice all evening.

                                                           Favourite author(s)? 

Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louisa M Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, Jules Verne.

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

The 19th century.

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in all literature is… 

Mr. Thornton, definitely. I think I explained why above.

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

I really tried to come up with a new one for this year, but I can't think of any villain more evil than Iago from Othello.

Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

I'm thinking a little cottage near a forest and in walking distance from a stream. I would have a front garden filled with flowers and a couple of garden chairs. And the house itself would of course be filled with sturdy old fashioned furniture - and a lot of book cases.

Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 

Comfortable and simple with a hint of the 50's.

Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

I don't really read a lot of non-fiction books. I choose the Bible (of course), Oxford Advanced Dictionary (would never have gotten through P&P without it) and 200 easy cakes (contains the recipe of my favourite cake).   

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

Reading, definitely reading. Probably outside in the sun - but inside reading on my computer is also good. 

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

A broad brimmed beige hat, with a long ribbon in either burgundy or Bordeaux.

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

For me this past year have been one big lesson of learning to not worry too much over things I can't change and instead taking it all one day at the time. It really eased the pressure when I learned to do that and now in retrospect everything turned out much better than I could have imagined.

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

Philippians 4:13 - For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power

1. Corinthians 13:4-8 - Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous.  It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests,  does not become provoked.  It does not keep account of the injury.  It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,  endures all things. Love never fails.