We know Felicity Jones as our dear Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey. Now she is playing the Notorious RBG, that is, Ruth Bader Ginsbutg – first Jewish female (second woman ever) to serve as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Do you think we can we find similarities between them?
Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey might not have been as fierce as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States but Jane Austen does measure up to RBG – as most people refer to Ruth Bader Ginsburg now. It took only 25 years (Ruth was sworn in on August 10, 1993) for her to become an icon. She has already been a steady beam of hope for all this time but now she finally had a movie made about the beginning of her life and the challenges that she faced as the first Jewish female Justice (second woman to became a Justice ever), a wife and a mother. I wish Jane could time travel to what we are living now and see how far we have come (not far enough, I know but this has been a good year for women empowerment). However, Jane would probably be shocked that back when Ruth started her career women could not have credit cards in their names. They had to be under their husband’s names. So, unfortunately, there were still a lot of similarities with the struggles Jane had and nonsensical arguments she had to put up with.
Official Trailer – On the Basis of Sex
In the movie, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination. Here is another sample of that discrimination she faced and how she handled it. I find her wit very similar with the wit we find in Jane’s letters – polite but unforgiving. Take a look:
If you can’t place Felicity Jones yet she is our heroine in Northanger Abbey. She has been taking more and more significant roles and now she is playing the epitome of the 21st century woman, even though she became that still before the turn of the century. But that is just how things happen with extraordinary women. Our Catherine Morland was also quite the adventurous young woman, loved to read and explore new worlds. There are so many parallels we can make among these women – fictitious or not. I apologize I am not up to the task. I just wanted to write something quick to urge you to go to the theaters ASAP and learn about this amazing woman who is Ruth Bader Ginsberg – the notorious RBG.
Photos: Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland on the left and as Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the right.
When Jane Austen published her first book and did not even sign her name she had no idea she would become the icon she is today. So forgive me if you don’t think they belong in the same pantheon of extraordinary women of all times. Ruth was nominated by President Clinton, while Jane Austen was invited by the Prince Regent to dedicated her book to him (whether she liked it or not – a tidbit worth mentioning). A major difference in the two women’s stories is that Ruth was able to have a family and maintain her independence. Jane Austen would have to give away her financial freedom to her husband and be bound to be a homemaker only. I wish she had the chance to find her Mr. Darcy and apparently Ruth did find it. The way Marty Ginsburg supported his wife is not short of extraordinary for a man of his time. He was truly up there with Mr. Darcy in the dreamy husband category.
I hope you go see the movie and leave a comment below whether you liked it or not or whether you found similarities or major differences in the story of these great women (even if you don’t go see the movie and will wait for the DVD). I’ll leave you with Felicity Jones talking about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Love, respect and gender equality to all!
Stay tuned for next week where we are going to have a book GIVEAWAY!
Yours,
Rita L. Watts
All Things Jane Austen 
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