What would Jane Austen have made of Gransnet?

If nothing else, she'd have an understanding that characters evolve and change. With that in mind, I don't think she'd be unfairly
pigeonholing posters across the board because of their opinions.

My first thought: What would she choose as her gransnet name?

Good question.
I'll start the list with Scribe.
Looking forward to the other suggestions.
✒️

Sickofweddingcake

She may initiate a thread:
'What's everybody reading?'

I think she could well do. Great idea.

A modern Jane Austen would have different views about the site in some cases and not in others.

The historical Jane Austen, or any other writer of that era would be shocked to learn how many modern families are disfunctional, She would probably also find it incredible that few people write thank-you letters, talk about doing one's duty, and don't let us start on the sexual mores of today.

Actually, instead of shocking Miss Austen, (or the Misses Brontë) I would prefer to hear Anthony Trollope's views.

It's a silly post .. who cares what she would have said ?

Gransnet might well have ended up as a subplot in her novels - Mrs B sees her daughter's M-i-L posting about her daughter & allsorts of mayhem & social fun & games ensues!

I don’t know about Gransnet, but since we live close to a major route she would almost certainly have travelled on, in a carriage, I do wonder what on earth she’d think of all the cars, and the traffic in general.
I imagine she’d be horrified!

There are several Mrs. Bennets on these pages, and Miss Bingleys; the occasional Lady Bertram, and many Marianne Dashwoods. Quite a few Mrs. Norrises as well and definitely a Lady Catherine de Bourgh or two.

Suzieque66

It's a silly post .. who cares what she would have said ?

It was intended as a silly thread. I had half an hour with nothing to do except wait for the traffic and my mind went off on its own tangent.

For that matter, who cares what is "said" on Gransnet?

There might well be a 'Kevin' type character who is rude to adults. Also a completely doting grandmother who indulges her grandchildren's slightest whims and buys them unsuitable gifts.
A Mr. Placid who is charm itself until he gets behind the wheel of a car and changes into Mr. Road Rage.

eazybee

There are several Mrs. Bennets on these pages, and Miss Bingleys; the occasional Lady Bertram, and many Marianne Dashwoods. Quite a few Mrs. Norrises as well and definitely a Lady Catherine de Bourgh or two.

Oh dear, I rather think I'm Miss Bates!

eazybee

Jane Austen had a very sharp tongue on occasion (see her letters) so although she would have been a shrewd, witty and pithy contributor she did not suffer fools gladly , so sadly, I fear she would be banned.

I agree eazybee with all you say but think she probably would have avoided being banned. She had constraint and ascorbic skills to use words but managed to stay within the rules and constraints of polite society. She was also patient "time will explain..."

No matter if her views were not shared she would have stood her corner, even in the face of universal disagreement " there is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.."

Suzieque66

It's a silly post .. who cares what she would have said ?

Those that like a bit of silliness?

That's not to say JA was silly- no way. she cared deeply how her words affected her family and close circle but couldn't give a fig about the wider public or critics. She happily published her novels anonymously and had no interest in fame etc.

She had a great sense of humour and liked a bit of silliness herself on occasion.

LemonJam

eazybee

Jane Austen had a very sharp tongue on occasion (see her letters) so although she would have been a shrewd, witty and pithy contributor she did not suffer fools gladly , so sadly, I fear she would be banned.

I agree eazybee with all you say but think she probably would have avoided being banned. She had constraint and ascorbic skills to use words but managed to stay within the rules and constraints of polite society. She was also patient "time will explain..."

No matter if her views were not shared she would have stood her corner, even in the face of universal disagreement " there is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.."

Now far be it from me to ever criticise a posters' spelling or grammar, but because this is a literary thread, and because the OP loves correctness, here goes ............

Jane Austen did not have ascorbic skills. I think that means a sort of acid known as Vitamin C used in food.

I think it should read acerbic skills.

I like a sense of humour and silliness too.
Though often it is frowned on.

There's nothing wrong with a little frivolity on a very hot day.

You're absolutely right MartavTaurus- I didn't notice the misspelling of acerbic. As I typed that just now it reverted to ascorbic again 🥱😉

On the other hand, some of her characters were ascorbic.

Did you know, that in a heatwave, ascorbic acid is lost due to increased sweating, so you must eat lots of fruits with vitamin C ?

Maremia

On the other hand, some of her characters were ascorbic.

????

Do you mean sharp or sour? 😆

I am aware of the hot weather effect on the body MartavTarus as I am clinically qualified. However the direct loss of Vit C through 'sweating' is practically negligible. It's more the case that the hot weather (and intense physical activity) accelerates the body's overall use of turnover of the vitamin, leading to higher requirements.

I was writing a work report yesterday so my autocue kicked in- I use the word ascorbic much more often in such reports than acerbic - as you might expect 😊

It was a joke, LemonJam! Sorry, the
Did you know? is one of my famous ways for introducing useless information, (though it could be useful at times), on GN.
You'll get used to my sense of humour eventually. 😆

I replied in kind MartavTaurus 😊