Torn

I'm finding myself torn.  As those who know me are aware, I am a nerd when it comes to 19th century British literature.  Two of my all-time favorite books are Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice.  The two men that are branded on my heart muscle are Mr. Rochester and Mr. Darcy.

Here's the rub (had to insert some Shakespeare; you understand), I'm not entirely sure which man is my most favorite dream man.  Mr. Darcy is all manners and goodness.  True, he starts off a little rough but by the end of it, you realize that he always was the best man and he is all sweetness and love.

Mr. Darcy played by Colin Firth in miniseries

Mr. Rochester, on the other hand, starts out very rough mannered and changeable.  He's gruff and softens to Jane and no one else, really.  He plays mind games and manuvears and whatever else.  Granted, he is just trying to bring Jane out of her shell, but later we find that he -- unlike Mr. Darcy -- has a deep dark secret.  In the end, however, he too, is all sweetness and love.

Mr. Rochester played by Toby Stephens in miniseries

I find Mr. Rochester slightly more realistic than Mr. Darcy.  I love them both.  I just don't know.  Both popular miniseries' showcase swoon-worthy leading men.  In 2005, a Pride & Prejudice movie (which I love, although I know others who complain that it doesn't follow the book closely enough) came out and that Darcy was a bit more sensitive but I believe it is because it would be too difficult for him to make such a drastic personality change in two hours when it took six, in the mini series.

Mr. Darcy played by Matthew Macfadyen in 2005 movie

In March, 2011, a new Jane Eyre movie is being released by Focus Features (they made the P&P movie, also).  Michael Fassbender is cast as Mr. Rochester and I look forward to seeing his portrayal.  I've seen some pretty ghastly portrayals of Rochester; actually, come to think of it, I've seen some really terrible adaptations of Jane Eyre.  So, we shall see.

Mr. Rochester played by Michael Fassbender in 2011 movie

So, nothing has been resolved.  I am still torn.  Hopefully, now you are torn as well.  We shall be torn and in love, together.  It will be agonizing and perplexing but we shall endure it as stoically as we can.