How I Offended the Jane Austen Society of North America

Oh my. The drama begins!

Marianne would surely post this very unwarranted (and insulting) comment from the President of JASNA, so I will too. It is in response to my post 'An Unsatisfactory Reply' of a few days ago. Basically, though I appreciated the suggestions in that initial response, obviously I'm going to read Sense and Sensibility again and take suggestions from the text on what to read, so it wasn't as helpful as I was hoping for from a society that puts out a scholarly magazine. No reflection on the sender of the message at all. No offense meant. Just not what I was looking for. I think it's fair to state that.

However, here's the comment I received last night from Ms. Huff, the President:

My dear Miss Stewart, I regret that you were not satisfied with the response you received from Carol Moss, the dedicated, volunteer web master for the Jane Austen Society of North America (jasna.org). She very kindly gave you appropriate suggestions for year reading project, and yet you find her response "unsatisfactory." In the course of your blogging, you may come across etiquette books that will guide you in in the proper way to thank those who assist you. Your humble servant, Marsha Huff President, Jane

Wow, huh? Not to be snarky, but this is dripping with that fake polite (but really disgusted and superior) tone. Ick. Clearly I'm being taught a much needed lesson here, in Ms. Huff's opinion, though I think Jane herself would be appalled. It's quite an unnecessary reply. Quite out of line. Quite rude!

Here's my reply:

Ms. Huff -
 
Thank you for taking an interest in my blog. I regret that you found it lacking, There was nothing rude in my post, unless one is displeased with the term 'unsatisfactory,' which clearly you are. I meant no offense to Ms. Moss whatsoever and there was nothing in my post that commented or reflected back on her personally.
 
I was simply sharing with those reading my blog, in the spirit of being transparent about this journey, information as it came in and my reaction to it. In this case, my sincere disappointment that I didn't receive an answer of more substance from a premier organization such as yours whose mission is a dedication "to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing." I have only just begun this project and had very high hopes in writing to JASNA, which was the first group I wrote to as I assumed that if anyone would give me expert guidance, it would be JASNA. I have since received more detailed direction from Claire Bellanti, which was also helpful, like Ms. Moss', to a different degree.
 
However, I am quite surprised and offended by the tone and implication of your email as it relates to my manners. It is completely disproportionate in weight and feeling to my post. I am sorry you felt it necessary to send me such a message.
 
Best, &&&

Again, feels like I'm in high school. I guess the Jane Austen Society and I are fighting and are no longer BFFs!

Comments

[Marsha Huff]

My dear Miss Stewart,
I understand that, after receiving my message last night, you sent a kind repsonse to the JASNA web master thanking her for providing reading suggestions for your project. I'm sure you appreciate that JASNA could not put you in touch with our 4,000+ members, whose privacy we respect.

Your response regarding my message is very much in the spirit of Marianne Dashwood before she married Col. Brandon and began her course of study. Jane Austen satirizes Marianne's conviction that it is her right to display her feelings in public without restraint and that to do otherwise would be artificial and false. Marianne is rude to Mrs. Jennings without compunction and abuses Eleanor for acting withing the bounds established by polite society. Austen makes it clear that, as Marianne matures, she learns to value the advice of others and abandons her former conduct.

Pardon me if I note that you could benefit from Austen's message about Marianne. If you stand back and review the tone of your postings, you may see on whose side the rudeness lies.

I remain your humble servant,
Marsha Huff

[Hypolita In Highland Town]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Well my dear Ms. S., looks like our only hope is that you'll catch scarlet fever and learn some manners. Though I'm no Eleanor, I will gladly keep watch at your bedside.

Fo' schizz, dat lady do take herself a bit too seriously, yo!

[Hypolita In Highland Town]

In my glee, I forgot to add a few other things.

First, you are one of the kindest ladies I know. You could easily round up mobs of people who would heartily agree.

Second, let it not be forgotten that Col. Brandon loved Marianne's moxie and would be the last person to discourage it. I'm sure once she was 100% better, she was as direct and troublesome as ever and he loved every minute of it.

Third, Col. Brandon himself was no shrinking violet. Afterall, he did not hestiate to put Eleanor in her place when he thought she was being to hard on her sister.

Lastly, I say good for you, you noisy girl! You get to marry Col. Brandon!

[Laura Shovan]

I am reluctant to post a comment for fear of also being called rude. Marianne's enthusiasm would probably be encouraged in today's society. So should yours, Chris. Sounds like a great and fun project! I'll be following your adventures.

[Holly]

It is no surprise that her last name is Huff?

[Donna W]

My Dear Miss Stewart,

I could not tell whether Miss Huff was real or your fictional invention! So I Googled her and she's real AND a lawyer. Love the project, by the way.

truly,
Donna

[Lynne]

"whose side the rudeness is on" ??

Is it rude these days to have an opinion? God knows there are other blogs out there that strive for rudeness in its most extreme forms, but I would not say that you were being rude on any account simply for calling something "unsatisfactory."

P.S. I'm coming here as an AustenBlog reader. Your project sounds delightful!