The prompt for this month’s Inklings link-up (check out the rules for linking up here!) is a scene at the piano. This prompt just calls out for Jane Austen submissions, doesn’t it? I considered trying to be different and original and going in a different direction with it, but since I had thought of the perfect Jane Austen one to do, I decided that was just foolish.
Therefore, I’m sharing a scene from towards the end of the 2008 Sense and Sensibility mini-series. Here’s a link to the scene on Youtube, though unfortunately the visual quality is pretty bad.
This is the scene (you probably all already know how S&S ends, but just in case, SPOILERS UNTIL END OF POST) in which we get to see Marianne and Colonel Brandon’s relationship really blossoming. Marianne has come to the realization that Willoughby was not what she thought and that Colonel Brandon is “the true romantic,” and as befits this deeper and more substantial relationship, their interactions together are quiet and understated, a marked difference from the gushing and overblown romance we saw before with Willoughby. I love how much this scene conveys with so little dialogue – all Marianne says the entire scene is “thank you.”
I also love the symbolism of Marianne playing the piece of music that Colonel Brandon gave her at the beginning of the mini-series, but which we see she now knows by heart. And there’s obvious symbolism with the falcon as well – in the same way that Colonel Brandon lets the wild, spirited falcon go and it comes back to him, he – like the gentleman he is – doesn’t pressure Marianne, and leaves her free to make her own choice. And since the poor girl has finally learned some sense, she makes the right decision. (Not that it’s a perfect analogy, of course. For one thing, I doubt Colonel Brandon rewarded Marianne by giving her a raw meat dinner when she chose him.)
Have you seen the 2008 Sense and Sensibility? Do you like how they portray Colonel Brandon and Marianne’s relationship? What are your favorite Jane Austen piano scenes?
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Oh, I REALLY want to see the 2008 Sense and Sensibility!! I’m always up for watching a new film version of a Jane Austen book. (By the way, can anyone participate in Inklings or is it by invitation of the creator? That last sentence sounded very Austinian 😉 ) Thank you for sharing.
Let me know what you think if you watch it! The 2008 S&S is what got me really into period drama, so it holds a special place in my heart. (And anybody can participate! No invitations or calling cards required ;))
Ohh, I’m so glad you went the Austen route, Lizzie, this scene captured my heart at first sight☺️🤗There’s something so wholesomely sweet about it…. I almost don’t have words for it, but it touches the heart🙃So much being conveyed without words…. And since I have not, indeed, seen either version of S&S, it instantly claimed a place high up on my “watchlist”! The 2008 version, specifically…. If the rest of the series is anything like it, this may become a new favourite! Bless Colonel Brandon for being such a gentleman….
And here I must admit to recalling very few Jane Austen piano scenes at all, and thereby having no favourite😆 But, along that same line, if (music lovers being abundant hereabouts) anyone happens to know what piece it is that Marianne is playing in this scene, I would very much like to know!
Thankyou for picking this particular bit, Lizzie, this made my day😜
I’m so glad you liked this scene so much! 😀 I love it too. I was rather disappointed in Marianne and Colonel Brandon’s relationship when I first read the book, but this mini-series made me love them. (I forget if I already told you this, but the first scene in the 2008 S&S provides some TMI about a Certain Character’s Doings and is better skipped – if you just skip in a minute and a half you’re in the opening credits and the rest is fine.) I think you would like it a lot – let me know if you check it out! Both versions of S&S are good and have things in their favor, but this one is my favorite on the whole. (:
I’m afraid I’ll have to lay low on the question of what Marianne is playing, for the good reason that I don’t know. I think they may have composed the piece for the series, but take what I say on this topic with a grain of salt. 😛
Aw, I’m so happy to hear that! <3
It brings them to life, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to watch more of it…. I love it when the person writing the script is so intuitive about characters that they bring out qualities never properly expounded upon in the books, and still stay true to character in them…. Very kindred-spirity feeling.
(I don’t think you actually had, so thankyou!! I’m assuming Willoughby is the Certain Character, and consider myself warned…. Handy to have skippables so early on that you don’t have to keep watching for them!)
Oh I will, probably won’t be able to resist! I think we’ve said it before, but watching things is at least twice as much fun when you share it with someone who loves it too😜😄 And unless they leave me speechless, there may be no stopping the spiel that follows it!
Ooh, that is a very good reason😉But as for the grain of salt, I’ll just take a half-sized one, because chances are you’re right…. And it dawns on me suddenly that I could proooobably look it up, and find out that way… Excuse me while I go do that real quick here😜
(Yes, Willoughby is indeed the Certain Character. And it is nice that they at least get all That Stuff out of the way at the beginning. :P)
So true ;D And it’s also so fun to experience something you love afresh through someone else’s eyes as they watch it for the first time…so it’s quite a pleasant thing on both sides!
Heh, I hope your research was well-rewarded!
Aha, I thought so 😉 He does lend himself so well to things of a dubious nature, sad to say….
Exactly, very considerate.
It IS, oh, I know😄 Mmm, this is going to be so much fun….
Moderately😜It popped up on the first try, but the only title it had was Marianne’s Piano Piece, or something to that extent…. Which means you’re probably right about it having been written especially for this!
Hi Lizzie – lovely post!
I have not seen the 2008 Sense and Sensibility, so I have no opinion on how they portray Colonel Brandon and Marianne’s relationship, LOL.
Two of my favorite Jane Austen piano scenes are:
– The witty banter between Elizabeth, the Colonel, and Darcy in P&P (Reading that is just hilarious…)
– Anne playing the piano in “Persuasion” because it is just so simple and home-y. (** Wishes to play a piano-forte but alas **)
Thank you, Liz!
Well, that is a good reason. ;P
That is such a great scene…especially in book format! I don’t feel like either film version quite caught the playful quality of the scene. It’s been too long since I’ve read P&P; I really should remedy that.
– and same with Persuasion; I had forgotten that Anne even played the piano! (I took lessons for a few years when I was younger…but now my skills are limited to picking out tunes and playing Heart and Soul. So not quite Austen-heroine level, I’m afraid.)