Who in the world has not heard of Downton Abbey and the Crawley family? I confess I only became a fan towards the middle of season two so I missed out on some of the drama and intrigue of season one. It amazes me how well the actors portray the turn of the century aristocratic family members and fortunate servants who roam the upstairs as well as the lowly downstairs staff with such conviction of their very status and worth within the castle walls.
But I think the character who intrigues me the most is Lady Edith Crawley. During the time of King George, women weren't expected to be able to hold an intelligent conversation with men about world affairs and an aristocrat such as Lady Edith certainly wouldn't have been encouraged to take up the unlady-like profession of writing for the local newspaper. But write for it she did and held to the conviction she had something worth writing about.
Writers of today need to be more like the people who live at Downton Abby, especially Lady Edith. To grab the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest. To stare danger in the eye and not back down. To hold true to the spirit of the world in which you live and never turn your back on a chance to make a lasting impression on the next generation.
And to keep on writing...even when it seems the whole world is against you...for you are the dreamer of dreams and writer of tales to carry us into the new millennium. With someone like Lady Edith Crawley leading the way, it's not a shabby act to follow.
I can't wait until season four...
Hi Donna .. I've never got stuck into it either - yet of course when I wrote about Aristocratic Succession in July ... I realised I'd missed a trick by not watching the series - oh well .. I will catch up ..
ReplyDeleteSome people just have the ability to take life by its horns and live to the full don't they ..
Good thoughts for writing .. cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary! I imagine that anyone looking at my busy schedule might wonder if I'm doing the same thing...lol...
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Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI began watching Downton Abbey from the beginning but expecting to not like it. I love some British detective mysteries, but never got into the Upstairs Downstairs type of dramas. Downton Abbey, however,is different. The combination of great writing, costume, superb acting, music and historical context captured me and made me an official Abbey Head.
Perhaps the most appealing feature are the characters and situations, like Lady Edith, who are ahead of their time. Because Lady Edith seems to be unlucky in love I was especially delighted that she discovered her writing voice and stepped into a meaningful endeavor. Smart and especially wealthy women of that era were often bored by the roles society expected them to play. I haven't given up on Edith finding just the right love interest. Let's hope Season 4 gives her the best of both worlds.
Hi Flora! I enjoy watching a number of different British shows. I find them quite different from typical American shows...and I sometimes wonder what the British think of some of our programs...;~)
DeleteI'm pretty sure that "high society" would not have thought very highly of ME back then...even though I think of myself as a "lady"...
Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post and learning about a writer. I especially liked your words, "To grab the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest. To stare danger in the eye and not back down."--reaffirming my belief that it takes some of us "courage" to move forward with our writing. Thank you for posting this.
Linda Della Donna
BookOrBust.blogspot.com
Hi Linda! Of course it takes courage. Most writers are introverts...exposing a part of themselves to the world through their writing and risking their censure is daunting. Taking that leap of faith and grabbing the bull by the horns puts them in charge of their own destiny...win or lose...;~)
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Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI follow Downton Abbey too. I guess that makes me another Abbey Head since I can't wait until season four starts this year!
I have to add that Lady Sybil in addition to Lady Edith took the bull by the horns and did what was necessary before the others did. She was convinced the chauffeur (sp?) to help her get off the Abbey grounds to attend women's suffrage meetings. That was a huge no-no for her. I have to admire her as much as Edith. I like how her dying in childbirth was historically accurate and this fact was subtly woven into the story.
Yes, we as writers can learn a lot from Downton Abbey.
Hi Deb! I'm fascinated with how people lived in other times in history as well as in other parts of the world. I get my history fix by watching Downton Abbey...;~)
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What a great post! I have a few episodes on dvd but I haven't seen them all yet. You've got me wanting to pull them out again. And I'm about to self-publish so I'm pulling the horns for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine! I never planned to get hooked on this series but was channel flipping one night and that was all she wrote...;~)
DeleteGood luck with your book! Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!
I've heard of the Downtown Abbey, but don't watch the show. Or TV, for that matter. Lady Edith sounds great though! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Erik! Smart of you to not get hooked on TV but there ARE some shows worth watching...;~)
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I have loved Downton Abbey from the start. I believe Lady Edith will surprise us. I am so looking forward to season 4. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene! I'm envious of the people who will get to view season 4 before I will get to...;~)
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