Modern Austen's Guide to What's In & What's Out for Valentine's Day 2024
Modern Heroines, we shouldn't have to take this anymore!
I know I usually get a little snarky & cynical around Valentine’s Day, always resharing this post because when you’ve written one guide about Valentine’s Day, you’ve written them all!
Perhaps a naked cupid has gotten me this year. —I no longer see the holiday as something to survive or suffer through, but I’d like to recommend my what’s in & what’s out lists.
Let me know if you agree in the comments. Or, even better, share your own lists!
What’s out:
1. Pretending you don’t love someone when you most passionately do
We don’t have time to read the subtext of someone’s feelings, am I right Modern Heroines? Just say what you mean, say it well, &, preferably, say it earlier in the novel.
2. Telling your friends who they can & can’t marry
Modern Heroines don’t let other Modern Heroines choose their partners for them. It will lead to nothing but the greatest unhappiness for all involved &, in Anne Elliot’s case, an early loss of bloom.
3. Secret engagements
It might seem necessary &, for five minutes, it might seem fun to keep such a secret. —But it will only necessitate lying to everyone around you, which never ends well. It nearly ends Frank Churchill & Jane Fairfax’s relationship!
And in S&S, it confuses Elinor about Edward Ferrars’s intentions when she learns about his engagement to Miss Steele from the unrefined little upstart herself.
4. Cryptic love riddles
Word games are fine for parties, but not for expressing your feelings. Why does almost every man in Austen’s novels need a lesson in communication?
5. Insulting proposals
Please don’t say ‘yes’ to any of the examples listed here.
6. Marrying someone without seeing their estate first
Lizzy is the heroine who can do no wrong, so we should remember that she only really fell in love with Mr. Darcy after visiting Pemberley.
Even naive Catherine Morland sees Northanger Abbey before she marries Henry Tilney.
What’s in:
1. Going to a seaside town to find someone to marry
Justice for Lydia Bennet! Does she choose the wrong someone? Of course. But you’ve got to admire how she goes after what she wants with complete abandon. Just do better than Wickham, Modern Heroines.
2. Flirting & dancing with all the officers
If you’re single, that is. Just because a Ball is dull doesn’t mean you have to be.
3. Surprising someone you love by returning to town unannounced
Tip for all Valentine’s Days: Get a swoonworthy nice guy like Mr. Bingley.
4. Marrying for material purposes
It’s unfortunate that the man she ends up marrying is Mr. Collins, but good on Charlotte Lucas for knowing that a comfortable home & having enough money to live on are all she wants out of a marriage.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Modern Heroines!