Those pervy Romantics
Oct. 15th, 2005 07:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gogmagog...okay, maybe I just have a dirty mind, but I could SWEAR Jane Austen just made a sexual joke. Read it and tell me whether I'm on crack:
"Do you know anything of my cousin's captain?" said Edmund; "Captain Marshall? You have a large acquaintance in the navy, I conclude?"
"Among Admirals, large enough; but," with an air of grandeur; "we know very little of the inferior ranks. Post captains may be very good sort of men, but they do not belong to us. Of various admirals I could tell you a great deal; of them and their flags, and the gradation of their pay, and their bickerings and jealousies. But in general, I can assure you that they are all passed over, and all very ill used. Certainly, my home at my uncle's brought me acquainted with a circle of admirals. Of Rears, and Vices, I saw enough. Now, do not be suspecting me of a pun, I entreat."
Edmund again felt grave, and only replied, "It is a noble profession."
Now, I realize "rear admiral" may not have the...er, risque definition that it has now, but still...the italicization (which is Austen's, not mine), the pairing with "vices," the fact that she clearly is intending a knid of pun...either I'm just really pervy, or Jane Austen was a little less prudish than we give her credit for. XD
In other news, the great thing about being in grad school: I get to lie in bed all day reading Jane Austen and it's not only allowed, it's expected. I'm actually being virtuous in doing so. :D :D :D
(Also, in honor of the fact that the hero and heroine of the novel are first cousins, a new Gilgamesh-inspired icon!)
"Do you know anything of my cousin's captain?" said Edmund; "Captain Marshall? You have a large acquaintance in the navy, I conclude?"
"Among Admirals, large enough; but," with an air of grandeur; "we know very little of the inferior ranks. Post captains may be very good sort of men, but they do not belong to us. Of various admirals I could tell you a great deal; of them and their flags, and the gradation of their pay, and their bickerings and jealousies. But in general, I can assure you that they are all passed over, and all very ill used. Certainly, my home at my uncle's brought me acquainted with a circle of admirals. Of Rears, and Vices, I saw enough. Now, do not be suspecting me of a pun, I entreat."
Edmund again felt grave, and only replied, "It is a noble profession."
Now, I realize "rear admiral" may not have the...er, risque definition that it has now, but still...the italicization (which is Austen's, not mine), the pairing with "vices," the fact that she clearly is intending a knid of pun...either I'm just really pervy, or Jane Austen was a little less prudish than we give her credit for. XD
In other news, the great thing about being in grad school: I get to lie in bed all day reading Jane Austen and it's not only allowed, it's expected. I'm actually being virtuous in doing so. :D :D :D
(Also, in honor of the fact that the hero and heroine of the novel are first cousins, a new Gilgamesh-inspired icon!)
