IndyFan

I was confused that Frank called Mrs. Weston his mother-in-law.
Is it that way in all of the book editions?
I'm sure they used step-mother back then.

LilMouse

I didn't even notice him calling her mother-in-law. I need to pay more attention.

they must mean it as optimistic

IndyFan

It was in chapter 23:

Frank contrived to find an opportunity-of introducing his mother-in-law, and speaking of her....

LilMouse

English people spoke weird in Austen's day.

BehrItAll

I found that weird too!

Was it a misprint never corrected? Or was that the term for step-mother?
How do we research this?

IndyFan

It would be good to find out.....

LilMouse

I wonder if Austen documentaries would say?

IndyFan

I found this much about UK census history:


In the censuses the term 'in-law' meant 'related by marriage' as it does today, however the key difference is that in the 19th century it was applied to children which is not the case now. A son whose mother re-marries would today be called a 'step-son', however he may be recorded on the census as 'son-in-law'.
Remember that meanings of words have changed over time. As examples, "brother" could once mean "brother-in-law"; "cousin" usually was a generic term for any relative; "son-in-law" could mean what we know today as "stepson"; "in-law", in the past could mean anyone related by marriage; "father-in-law" and "mother-in-law" could mean what we now know as step-parents.
It's clear though that in 1851 it wasn't rare for son-in-law to be used as a term for stepson.

LilMouse

Wow. Thanks for finding that. I never knew this stuff and I am glad terms have become more clear in modern times. It seems to silly and wrong to refer to

eta: Steph - I am surprised the bottom of your book didn't explain the use of "in law".

BehrItAll

Yea, there was no footnote for that word.

So, basically any relative through marriage was a "in-law."

IndyFan

LilMouse

I am ready for Emma to realize she loves Knightley

BehrItAll

I'm in chapter 27. Emma is jealous of the idea of Mr. Knightly marrying Jane Fairfax.

I am like, girl.... open your eyes!



And Churchill so went to London to get Jane a pianoforte and not for a "hair cut". That hair cut was a cover!

LilMouse

I need the scene of her saying "OMG I love Josh" She still doesn't realize it.

I'd ask Churchill, why you need to go all the way to London? Is a haircut here not good enough?

BehrItAll

That was brought up.

Something about how he said he was only there for 2 weeks and the first week flew by.

ANd Emma said well you wasted a day in London for a hair cut!