Literary Heroine Blog Party 2012 - The Questions

~ The Questions ~

Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!  As you doubtless know, my name is Kellie.  I've written quite a bit about myself over the years on this blog, and you can get a pretty good idea of who I am right here!

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?  (I know - I had a lot to say here.  Bear with me;)
I believe the essence of a true heroine stands in the fact that she is a true lady, in every sense which that wonderful word stands for. She embraces the glorious, God given role of women to support and uplift men, allowing them to become great and confident leaders.  Does this mean she is a weak bodied, weak minded doormat?  Far from it!  I believe it takes far greater strength and courage to be a real lady then ever it would be to stand as a self-sufficient, self-centered, self-empowered feministic individual.

She embraces femininity in all of it's glory - regardless of her situation in life, she is an innate homemaker and source of comfort for those she loves.  She may be physically strong or weak, naturally gentle or fiery, her taste for frills or flannel - that's not what being a lady is about.

She is courageous, because no matter what trials or dangers she must overcome, she knows her treasures are stored up where moth nor rust can corrupt - and that all she must do to conquer is follow God's leading faithfully, to the end. She is selfless, supporting those in her life rather than pulling them down, as she knows that true love gives all without expectation of return. 

And lastly, when, as a human character, she stumbles and falls, she has the grace to acknowledge her imperfections and the faith to ask for forgiveness, ever learning from her mistakes.  And ideally, she has a saving sense of humor! =)

A tall order, no? But by God's grace, I truly believe that each and every one of us has the power to become that heroine - a woman after God's heart. 

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

Sophy Stanton-Lacy, from Heyer's The grand Sophy. This regency heroine is not only quite as adept at verbal riposte as dear Lizzy, she is both unconventional and unashamedly feminine, a fearless and competent horsewoman, crack shot, loyal friend, and is ridiculously tall and strong for a lady of the age;) And. . . green is her favorite color!  She is understanding, tactful, humorous, and even, at times, susceptible.  Why no one has made a period film out of any of Georgette Heyer's many delightful works is beyond me. ♥

Molly Gibson from Wives and Daughters. She is gentle yet strong - her love was so great that she was able to put the happiness of the man she loved above even her own.  Her selflessness is inspiring, and her patience with certain people, who I would probably have given short shrift to... truly humbling.  

 Arabella Bishop, from Stabiani's Captain Blood. She is pure, compassionate, spirited, and, to a degree, a leader.  Her love of righteousness and truth is stronger than anything else.  Not to mention, she just must have been marvelous to win the love of Peter Blood! :)

 Clotilde from Henty's The Young Carthaginian. She is spirited, strong, and tenderhearted, and aside from being lovely and intelligent, was capable of marching, and if need be, fighting alongside her clan to maintain their right to live in freedom from oppression.  

Again, why are there no film adaptations of any of G. A. Henty's works?  

The Young Carthaginian would make a film of epic proportions.  Maybe someday I'll go ahead and do it myself;)

Five of your favorite historical novels? 

What a dreadful question - it's like having to choose a favorite child! ;)

The Chestry Oak

The Scottish Chiefs

Quentin Durward

El Dorado (the whole Scarlet Pimpernel series, really!)

Ben Hur

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

I chose Sir Percy Blakeney last year, so this year I'll go with Prince Michael from The Chestry Oak.  This book is a wonderful Hungarian tale set in WWll, but with an almost ancient, fairytale quality.

Michael, a young lad born a prince into the noble house of Chestry, was raised with courage, self-control, discernment, a love of freedom and liberty, and great responsibility - and when his homeland, his family, and even his very existence is threatened by Nazi invasion, he must draw upon his innermost reserves of will and faith to preserve the precepts passed on from his wise and heroic father.  This is one of the few books that caused tears to course quietly down my face as I read, my innermost heart challenged and inspired by this picture of the heroic and indomitable human spirit.
Read it;)

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

Secondary character - Sheik Ilderim from Ben-Hur!  This fierce and fiery fellow makes me laugh - and his wonderful relationship with his stunning horses melts my heart;)

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

My ultimate, lifelong dream trip would be to Scotland - and I would do everything.  Even Haggis. :)

But I also want to go everywhere else!  England, France, Germany, China, Africa (I have to stay at the Cottars Safari Camp, remember?) Austria, perhaps I'd even end up in Moscow! And I'd love to go to Australia and New Zealand.  In short, I need to travel!

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?  That is a hard one!  Time periods and culture are my favorite thing to read about... will that work?  Good:)  I find that most of the time I find myself in 17-20th c. England...

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?  I think a rendition of 'On How To Be Lovely' (Funny Face - Audrey Hepburn and Kay Thompson) with Tasha would be perfect.  Wearing blue fringed tablecloths, of course.

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?   Cecily Cardew!  One - I desperately need to create and wear this dress.  Two, I would delight in randomly bestowing quote jems from The Importance Of Being Earnest on my companions.  "But I don't like German. It isn't at all a becoming language. I know perfectly well that I look quite plain after my German lesson."

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?  My sentiments are such that they quite overcome me, at times. . .*faints* 

Seriously, I adore chocolate, and consider it something to be savored, not gobbled. It is magnificent alone, awe-inspiring paired with cherries or ginger, and a masterpiece when combined with mint. . . oh, and I am currently obsessed with chocolate mint oolong tea.  'S like heaven.

Favorite author(s)?  G.A. Henty, Sir Walter Scott, Kate Seredy, Baroness Orczy, James Herriot, Jane Austen, Marguerite Henry, Charles Dickens, L.M Montgomery, L.M. Alcott, Georgette Heyer, Laura Ingalls Wilder, C.M. Yonge, Jane Porter, Beatrix Potter, and Margery Sharp, to name a few. . .

Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?   A sense of adventure!  Wouldn't want to forget that... A nice camera is definitely on my list - I would love more than any other souvenir to bring home beautiful pictures documenting my journeys.  The perfect wardrobe.  A ukulele, I think... And this, in chestnut.  Yes please...

(My Bible and good traveling companions are essentials!)

{all images link back to their source from Pinterest}

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

19th century

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 

There are many different kinds of heroes.  My personal ideal looks something like a combination of the below...

...

Sorry to do that to you, everybody.  I simply could not resist=D

Let's try this again...

Oh, yes... 

John Thornton, I deeply admire your strength, your wisdom, and your spotless honor, as well as the tenderness you have deep in your heart.  Your word is as good as your deed, and every action you make is based on unswerving conviction.  (R.A, you also have a voice that melts my heart...)

Sir Percy Blakeney... you are magnificent. Besides the charms of your excellent sense of humor, your perfect manners, your manly strength, and your indomitable spirit, you are incredibly brave, always cheerful, and possess a driving vision which nothing on earth can make you stray from.

And Jack Worthing... I stuck you in here because your portrayal by Colin Frith (who wants Mr. Darcy, anyway?;) is adorable, and I love a hero who is inordinately hilarious and can make music.  The End. 

Describe your ideal dwelling place.  Filled with family and friends.  A homemade house, one that is entirely independent of consumerism and fads.  An old, well loved house, rich with memories.

A wrap around porch...wood floors...window seats...an enormous garden and a little farm...music...nooks and crannies...fabric, notions, and antiques galore...a glorious kitchen and a wonderful pantry...a claw foot tub...and books. books everywhere. Cozy. Creative. Warm. Productive. That's my House o' Dreams. On a majestic, tree and meadow-lush piece of North Idaho.  

Sum up your fashion style in five words.   What your wear says so much more about yourself than you will ever get to tell most people.  And I tend to convey through my wardrobe that I am...

A daughter of the King. Old-fashioned. Feminine. Adventurous.  And a true-blue Farmgirl!

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?  Not particularly, though I often amuse myself by naming the people around me with fictitious titles:)

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...  Let's go with Chauvelin.  After all, Baroness Orczy tells us (and I paraphrase) that he was "... The most cunning, relentless, merciless enemy to ever match wits against a champion of justice."  

Who can argue? 

Three favorite Non-fiction books?  (Besides that most precious of all books, The Holy Bible) MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook - Adam's Synchronological Map of History - and Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language.


Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?  About now, the perfect afternoon sounds like taking my book, picnic hamper, and fishing pole and floating in our driftboat all day on the lake.  With bare feet and an enormous floppy hat.  Mmmm...

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.   So I love hats.  I could describe half a dozen that I could call my favorite, but for this question, I think my rattan pith helmet describes my personality best.  It can go on Safari or attend a tea party with equal class, and is rather unique.  It's sturdy, practical, and adorable. =)

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.   Living in my own Wall Tent!  Several amazing road trips.  Flying alone for the first time.  My mom's leg broken for seven months.  Starting Accordion to Kellie.  Learning to open and expand my horizons.

Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.  "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

-1 Peter 1:15-21

My word!  I hope you aren't overwhelmed by this post - I certainly didn't scrimp on words! :)

If you haven't yet, be sure to go take a look at the rest of the fun Here!  Enter the giveaway, visit other participants, and even join us yourself!