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<b>Can you tell if these quotes are from an Austen novel or out of the Dowager Countess's mouth?</b>

Can you tell if these quotes are from an Austen novel or out of the Dowager Countess's mouth?

Who Said It: The Dowager Countess Of Grantham Or Jane Austen?

The answer is Jane Austen, from her novel "Emma."  
Mr. Knightley expresses his disapproval of a pianoforte, sent by an anonymous benefactor, to Jane Fairfax, as Emma attempts to determine who the sender is. It is later revealed to have been sent by Mr. Frank Churchill, with whom Jane Fairfax had entered into a secret engagement.

Jane Austen!

"I don't approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced and the inconvenience is considerable."

Could there be any doubt as to who delivered this incredibly thoughtful and sympathetic sentence?

Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham!

"An unlucky friend is tiresome enough, an unlucky acquaintance is intolerable."

The Dowager Countess disapproves of a great many things, chief amongst these are Americans, Cousin Isobel, and endless thinking. The latter is expressed to the the family about their leaving Edith to think as the rest of the Crawley clan have a picnic.

"All this endless thinking. It's very overrated."

Because appearances are everything to acid-tongued granny.

"The truth is neither here nor there. It's the look of the thing that matters."

Jane Austen has her heroine, Emma (from her novel of the same name), state this in response to Mr. Knightley’s incredulity that Harriet Smith would reject an offer of marriage from Robert Martin.

It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage."

Jane Austen’s cleverly created foil to Fanny, Mary Crawford (the vain and self-centred antagonist of "Mansfield Park"), informs Fanny Price that her lateness must be forgiven despite having no excuse to offer for her tardiness.

"Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure."

The Dowager Countess discussing Mary Crawley’s reticence in accepting Matthew Crawley, the heir presumptive to the Crawley title and estate.

“If she won’t say yes when he might be poor, he won’t want her when he will be rich."

Arguably as true today as they were in the 1800s. These sage words of wisdom are immortalized in Jane Austen’s in "Northanger Abbey," as Austen quips about the advantages of ignorance paired with beauty with regard to a man’s ego.

"A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can."

It was of course, Violet Crawley, quipping to her frenemy Cousin Isobel.

“There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends, that’s the real test.”

Jane Austen gives readers a glimpse into Caroline Bingley’s feelings for Mr. Darcy, who has confessed an admiration for Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s eyes - much to Caroline Bingley’s chagrin. Her attempts at wit (ridiculing any admiration for Lizzie, to assuage her own jealousy) leads Mr. Darcy to reply thus.

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment."

What else are we to expect from the lady who, in her time, "wore the crinoline, the bustle and the leg-of-mutton sleeve?"

"I may be older than I was but I can still tell when a man's interested."

Although not quite an antagonist, Jane Austen’s Sir Walter Elliot (from the novel "Persuasion"), in his extraordinary vanity, is quite critical of the appearances of those around him.

"One pretty face would be followed by thirty … frights."

Be honest, you've never watched the show and the most Jane Austen you've ever taken in is Colin Firth coming out of the pool, no?

Ouch! 

It's definitely time to watch Downton again. it wouldn't hurt to read a little Pride and Prejudice either.

Granny's not impressed!

You just about know your Dowager Duchess from your Mr. Darcy

You're pretty clued up on Downton and you know your Jane Austen too. You must rule your book club, eh?

Like Granny Grantham, you're never wrong.   
Must be tiresome, knowing your Downton Abbey from your Northanger Abbey. You can stop gloating now.

Well done, you!

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Who Said It: The Dowager Countess Of Grantham Or Jane Austen?

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