Literary Heroine Blog Party

I am participating in Miss Kellie's annual Literary Heroine Blog Party. I encourage you all to visit her blog and participate! There's also a giveaway going on. On this snowy winter's day, I am typing this while watching Pride and Prejudice, so my answers may be influenced by it. *smile*

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

My life's vision? Well, it is to do all things for God's glory. That doesn't always happen, but it is what my life is all about.

Right now, I am an 18-year-old high school senior planning on going to college for accounting and hoping to get my CPA certification afterwards. I live with my parents and eight siblings in Maine (which is quite snowy around this time of year which is wonderful). I love knitting (currently making things for my new Etsy shop), reading, watching Jane Austen movies, baking muffins, wearing toe socks, and drinking tea.

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

Well, a heroine should first of all be loyal to her beliefs, her family, and her friends. She must be kind, brave, honest, and witty.

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

Only four? Well then, here it goes (these are in no particular order as I am awful at choosing a favorite anything).

I admire Anne Elliot's perseverance, dedication to her family, and ability to love even when she thought her love was not returned by Captain Wentworth.

Margaret Hale's willingness to, eventually, accept the fact that she is not always right and her way is not always the best way. I love watching her change from someone who thought that nothing good could exist in a certain place to recognizing the merits of Milton and Mr. Thornton. I see a lot of myself in her in the way that she has a hard time admitting that she is wrong.

Emma Woodhouse's vivacity and cheerfulness are so charming, as is her love for her father. Like Margaret Hale, she realizes that she has acted wrongly and is willing to sacrifice her pride to correct her mistakes. Plus, I love how she and Mr. Knightley are friends for all of her life before they realize they love each other.

Only one more. Hmm...Polly in An Old-Fashioned Girl by L.M. Alcott. She is always so cheerful and encouraging.

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

Persuasion

Little Women

Emma

North and South

Pride and Prejudice

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

In Persuasion, my favorite character is Anne, for reasons stated above.

Meg is my favorite March sister. She longs for things she cannot have, but she is able to be content with what she has once she realizes the true worth of love and family.

Emma Woodhouse is my favorite, again for reasons stated earlier.

And guess what? Margaret Hale is my favorite in North and South.

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are tied for my favorite character (that's allowed, right?). I admire Jane's optimism and positive view of people, but I also enjoy Lizzie's sparkling wit and ready answers. 

6. Out of those books, who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Anne's friend, Mrs. Smith, is my favorite. She is a poor invalid, but she still gives what she has to help those in worse situations than her own.

I admire Mr. Brooke in Little Women. Not only does he put up with Laurie's antics, but he also has the good sense to fall in love with Meg. 

Honestly, I wish I could get to know Jane Fairfax. She is mainly just spoken of in Emma, and I feel sorry for her. She seems like such a sweet girl who has the misfortune of an aunt who likes to talk about her niece excessively. She just seems to kind and gentle and patient.

Another character I like and wish to know more about is Georgiana Darcy. She appears to be a devoted and admiring sister. I think we would bond over our love for music.

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

The United Kingdom. I would visit London, see where Jane Austen lived, enjoy the architecture, then hop over to Scotland and Ireland. They're all beautiful places and honestly, I would be happy to just walk around everywhere and see the green hills and water crashing against the rocks.

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

The Regency period in England. After that, I like reading about the mid-nineteenth century.

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

I love to sing. All the time. So, I would probably do that. 

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

Oh, goodness. I would probably choose Anne Elliot.

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

I like it, but not too much. You can have too much of a good thing. As long as it doesn't have unidentifiable items in it, I will eat any form of chocolate.

12. Favorite author(s)?

Jane Austen, obviously.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Louisa May Alcott

Ted Dekker (random and unconnected, yes)

Charlotte Bronte

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

My camera, lots of knitting, extra batteries, a watch, and snacks.

14. In what century were most of the books you read written?

In the nineteenth to early twentieth century.

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is...

George Knightley. He speaks his mind to Emma, encourages her, and helps everyone around him.

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A farmhouse in a field by the ocean. I know it probably doesn't exist in many places, but since it's my ideal, it can be whatever I wish.

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Bohemian business casual, I suppose.

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character's name?

No, nothing beyond "silly, stupid woman" to someone like Mrs. Bennet, but I don't think that really counts.

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

I really don't know! I suppose I don't read many books with bad villains.

20. Three favorite non-fiction books?

Besides the Bible, of course, my three current favorites are:

Do Hard Things

Searching for Jane Austen

Lies Young Women Believe

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

Outside, sitting on a blanket, reading and knitting.

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

Umm...I don't have a specific type of hat. Sometime elegant and understated. It would enhance the natural features of the wearer, not draw attention away from them.

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

Working at camp for several weeks last summer helped me grow so much. I had to truly rely on God for the strength to get through the days and be patient and loving with my campers instead of critical and sharp, as is my natural tendency. 

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

I love Psalm 37:3-8:

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, 

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD, 

Trust also in him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

He shall bring forth you righteousness as the light,

And your justice as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Do not fret - it only causes harm. 

Well, now that Pride and Prejudice is done and I have answered all of these questions, it's your turn to visit Kellie's blog and answer them.