Well, it’s Hallowe’en tomorrow, which means we are not far from November!
As mentioned earlier this month, I plan on participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) again this year, whereby the plan is to write 50,000 words between the first and last day of November and, at this late stage, I have realised I need help!
I know the storyline for my work-in-progress novel, because I have already written almost half of it. However, that is as far as it has gone in recent months. Now that I am re-visiting it with the aim of finishing it, I have realised there are still a few choices to be made. I so enjoyed everybody’s input when I last did a Poll, that I decided to have another one so that you can guide me in one of those decisions!
So, here is my dilemma: what is to be done with Jane Bennet? How do you see Jane? As an angel? Boring? Essential as a foil to Elizabeth? Dispensable? And how does this influence what fate you would give her? 
Well, in A Fair Prospect I gave Jane the ending that her creator wished for her: she married Mr Bingley and lived happily ever after. In the story I am currently writing, I have yet to decide her fate, and that is where you come in.
Do please take part in the Poll and if you have the time, do also share your thoughts on how you voted and why! I would love to hear from you!
I'm Cass, and I write the sort of stories I love to read - heart-warming, character driven and strong on location. I lean heavily towards the upbeat in both my reading and my writing. 
Cass Grafton - Writer 
What a lovely idea to have a poll on this, Cassandra!
I went with the ‘Jane is too good for Bingley’ option because I never really liked how easily he took Darcy’s advice to stay away. No man truly in love should have, and no man with any strength of character would! I know there is always the argument that he didn’t want to see her bullied by Mamma into accepting him when she wasn’t really interested, which mitigates the blame somewhat, but all in all, I think Jane deserves a man with a backbone. Sorry, Mr. B, I love you, really – but you are a bit of a wuss 🙂
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Thanks for taking part, Joana! Loved your thoughts on this!
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To good for each other? Well, it depends on how you, Cassandra, portray Jane!
Since she has been brainwashed since birth that she need do nothing but look demure and pretty, is that all she truly is? If so, she would be thrilled with Bingley as feckless as he behaved. He HAD to have recognized her feelings through all the tête-à-têtes they were allowed – far more chances for private conversation than he was probably allowed with any other lady.
I think the moments of her embarrassment in the original show more intelligence than revealed and her actions in London that her backbone is stiffening to overcome a lifetime of reserve. Can she have the courage to pin Bingley’s ears back for his poor behavior – even though she wants him so badly? Does she want to be a partner or merely an ornament on his arm? In my opinion, Jane Austen made her weaker and more subservient than she would make the character in today’s world.
Can both find other partners in the world? Yes. If Jane overcomes her history, Bingley may not satisfy a Jane who questions his steadfastness. With her eyes wide open, other options may be welcomed.
Barring the bold choice of giving Jane a man with backbone, I suspect Cassandra will add expressed emotion and stiffened resolve to the original Jane, so she is too good for Bingley but will gladly accept him as the man she loves.
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Thank you, Dave, for voting and commenting. Always love to hear your thoughts on things! Much for me to ponder in what you have said. I await the Poll outcome with great interest!!!
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I may be seriously shunned forever by saying this – but one of the reasons that I love Jane/Bingley so much is that Lizzy’s passion to be free to marry for love actually stresses me out a bit. I am all for it in her era and now of course, but I do think she forgets at the beginning of her journey as a character just how perilous their position is. I feel Lizzy has a tendency to be flippant about the whole thing at first – annoyed by the dire prophesies of her mother (appropriate for Lizzy to feel definitely). Jane, on the other hand, both by nature and nurture does understand that the family’s future just might fall to her to secure. Being a fatalist myself, I connect with Jane and want her to willingness to be sacrificed pay off with happiness. Whether that’s to Bingley or not, it wouldn’t kill me – but it might make me a bit sad. They do hit it off – and not just because of her duty. And I want her to be rewarded for her sacrificial character just as Lizzy is rewarded for her strength of character.
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I will do my best by you, Ada, within the scope of whatever the Poll result is, I promise! Thanks for commenting!
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The only problem I have with Jane ending up with. Bingley is that I can’t see either of them bringing out the best in each other. They are likely to spend their whole lives being taken advantage of because both of them are too nice to protect themselves or each other. Also, I think she’s too quick to forgive him. But what Ada says is very true, Lizzy’s attitude towards marriage is quite naive. I’ve always thought that it was like her father’s attitude; he didn’t make provision for their futures, believing that things would turn out alright, and Lizzy seems to have a very similar attitude. Poor Jane has spent her whole life being told that it’s her duty to marry and she’s pushing 23, so she was probably quite keen to get the opportunity, and just grateful that it’s somebody palatable. Jane is so lucky that Mrs Bennet shielded her from Collins, as she probably would have felt obliged to accept, and if she is too good for Bingley she is definitely far too good for Mr Collins.
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That’s an excellent point re Lizzy’s attitude echoing her father’s, Ceri. Agree re Collins. I have another story in the making after this one that highlights that particular scenario!
Thanks for commenting!
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