English: Detail of C. E. Brock illustration for the 1895 edition of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice (Chapter 56) showing Elizabeth Bennet outdoors in “walking dress”, with bonnet and parasol. Français : Détail d’une illustration de C. E. Brock pour l’édition de 1885 de Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Women in Jane Austen‘s time took walks. Elizabeth Bennett walks to Netherfield and her muddy skirt provides an interesting topic of conversation. I particularly enjoy the A&E film version of Pride and Prejudice because it emphasizes Elizabeth walking.
Jane Fairfax also walks — to get away from an awkward social situation and have time to think — by herself. I love the BBC Emma with the wonderful Olivia Williams saying something about the joys of being alone.
Margaret Hale in the BBC North and South is a stalwart walker, although her surroundings are grim — all those tombstones! Also, I worry about her lungs and wonder how long any of them will live in that polluted environment. And then there is John Thornton’s walk before he proposes. Richard Armitage does a great job of expressing his character’s angst, while walking.
Source: richardarmitagenet.com
Georgette Heyer‘s Venetia walks — without a chaperone — and has the good misfortune to run into the hero.
Maria in Sound of Music has one of the most beautiful walking scenes at the beginning of the movie.
I love to walk and if I can’t walk outside, I’ve been known to pace around my house. But outside is best, and I realize that lately I’ve been cooped up too much. I need to walk. Walking helps me to work out my problems and be at peace.
And here’s the quote that prompted this blog post.
“I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.” — Noel Coward.
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