the Literary Heroine Blog Party | The Questions

: : The Questions : :

1| Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!  This year, I'm going with the "something completely random" option...When I was a child I called my big toe my "thumb toe".  It actually makes sense when you think about it.  At least, it does to me...;)

2| What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Okay, I'm determined not to go back to last year's post and copy any of my answers.  I. am. not.

A true heroine strives to honor and glorify God by her every word and action.  She's is dedicated to seeking God's will in her life and serving Him all her days, in whatever situation she may find herself in, whether single or married.  She is strong (not necessarily physically, but mentally and spiritually), able to defend and take care of herself, yet she understands and cherishes her role as man's helper.  She is kind, gentle, feminine, but not afraid to get dirty.  All of that said, she is also human.  She isn't perfect, and because of that we can understand and relate to her.  She is real.  She has flaws and failings to overcome.   A sinner redeemed by Christ's shed blood.  Sometimes she falls, but is always moving forward, becoming more like Him with every step she takes.

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

Jo March | I've always admired Jo for being herself.  And we both have such trouble controlling our tempers and our words.  I can't remember how many times I've read Little Women, but I never get tired of it.  Marmee's words to Jo never fail to encourage me.

Margaret Hale | She's not perfect, but she cares so much for those around her.  Quick to stand up against injustices, quick to speak her mind.  And more than anything else about her, I know what it's like to care for your mother.  Day after day, it's not always easy.

Amy Dorrit | Everything that a heroine should be - loving, gentle, feminine, forgiving, selfless.  Amy encourages me to put my own wants and desires aside in favor of serving others.

Molly Gibson | So kind and gentle, but not afraid to tell you what is what!  But she always does it with such graciousness...well, most of the time. ;)  Little Molly Gibson...if it had been me rather than you, I would have strangled Cynthia, and then told Roger to go take a long walk off a short pier.  I admire her most for her selflessness and her relationship with her father.

4| Five of your favorite historical novels? 

The Scottish Chiefs, The Scarlet Pimpernel (the entire series, but especially El Dorado.  Sooo good.), Little Women, An Old-Fashioned Girl, and The Last Trail.

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

Last year, I no doubt said Sir Percy Blakeney, but this year I'm going to pick a favorite girl main character...and I have to choose Jo March.  Although I'm definitely not a tomboy or a writer of stories, I've always related to Jo.  Like I already said, we both have a hard time keeping our tempers in check. *sheepish grin*  But we keep trying to improve ourselves, no matter how many times we fall flat on our faces.

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

Oh dear...okay, I'm going to go with Sir Andrew Ffoulkes.  An all-around good chap, steady and dependable.

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

Bonnie Scotland, of course!  What would I do there?!  Just...everything.  Okay, okay...visit all of the historical landmarks and museums (I LOVE reading plaques), buy something from Ness, send my extended family and friends postcards, just soak in the beauty and take lots of pictures! *bliss*

8| What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

The early American frontier (1600s and 1700s).  Think James Fenimore Cooper and Zane Grey.

9| You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Probably singing, maybe with my bro's Bluegrass band.  That would be fun!  Maybe...I'm not really into getting up and performing in front of an audience...you'd probably have to drag me up there, in all honesty. ;)

10| If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Lady Helen Mar from The Scottish Chiefs, or maybe Amy Dorrit.

11| What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

With mint or caramel, please.

12| Favorite author(s)?

G.A. Henty, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, Zane Grey, James Fenimore Cooper, Beverly Lewis, Baroness Orczy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...shall I continue?

13| Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

A camera counts as an essential, right?  So does a good friend, at least in my book.  So...well, as cheesy as it may seem, I've always loved the idea of bringing along a stuffed animal of some sort and posing him/her and taking pictures.  Because those picture would be fun to look at later. :)

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

19th and 20th

15| In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Um, duh...Sir Percy Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel!  Although, in all honesty, Aragorn from LOTR is very high on my list of literary heroes.  Just sayin'...but no one will ever surpass Sir Percy.  The end.

16| Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A simple, modest house, small-ish and cozy, nothing fancy.  A good sized garden, big barn for my animals, plenty of pasture space...and I'm still hoping for a covered walkway from the house to the barn. *please please please* ;)

17| Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Feminine and vintage-y, but practical.

18| Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Not that I can think of right now...although all of those French and Russian names in War and Peace get rather confusing at times.

19| In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

I think I said George Wickham last year, and I'm going to stick with that.  Especially if you watch the LBD!  Oh my word!  What a creep!
Edit: Why do I always forget Rigaud from Little Dorrit?!  He's got to be the creepiest, scariest, most detestable villian EVER!  Just sayin'.

20| Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Aside from the Bible (because that really goes without saying...um, which is why I even mentioned it...:), Adam's Synchronological Chart of History (If you've never seen this, you are totally missing out!  It's a HUGE fold-out timeline starting with Creation.  So awesome!  I could look at it for hours...), Back to Basics, and Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

21| Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

With friends.  Playing badminton, or sitting by the lake talking.  Or by myself, taking a walk with my dog or trail riding.

22| Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

Kellie, this question always throws me.  You're mean.  But I love you anyway. ;)  Something vintage, from the 40s, nothing too fancy, just a sweet little thing perched on my head.  Although I would LOVE to find a hat like the one worn by Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca!  LOVE that hat!!  And yes, I would totally wear it.

23| Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Finding our church family, among other things.

24| Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

{emphasis mine}

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Make sure to hop over to Kellie's and check out the other ladies answers!  And the fabulous giveaway!!

Happy Trails!