Last month I wrote a post in honor of Mother’s Day – a quiz, actually – and so I thought it only fair that I do the same for Father’s Day this month, focusing on the dads we find in Austen’s novels. As with the moms, it’s kind of a mixed bag.

The most common trait I found among Austen fathers is that so many are no longer living! – old Mr. Darcy, presumably Mr. Bingley’s father too, Mr. Dashwood, the senior Mr. Ferrars, Colonel Brandon’s father, Mr. Knightley’s father. With shorter life expectancy at the time, and considering many men married later and were much older than their wives, perhaps that’s to be expected. More probably, though, it just suited Jane Austen and her story plans to have these older, married-and-therefore-less-interesting men out of the way, leaving their young (or at least youngish) sons independent.

So today we’ll be looking at the odd assortment of fathers who are left:  Mr. Bennet (endearing but indolent), Mr. Woodhouse (anxious, self-absorbed), Sir Walter Elliot (irresponsible, vain), General Tilney (greedy, vindictive), and Sir Thomas Bertram (blind, neglectful). Only Mr. Morland seems the kind and sensible father we’d all like to have, but then we don’t get to spend much time with him.  The prize for Austen’s all-time worst father-figure goes to Mr. Price, however.

It you’ve read Jane Austen’s novel, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. But if we go a little deeper, will you still recognize her characters?

Time to put your Austen IQ to the test! Match the seven fathers named in bold above with their words and/or descriptions below.  And to make it a bit more challenging, I’ve added a dad of my own creation to the group: Mr. Walker, father of the heroine of For Myself Alone. See how many you can recognize! (The answers will be posted in the comments section.)

1. [He] had interest, which, from… a general wish of doing right, and a desire of seeing all that were connected with him in situations of respectability, he would have been glad to exert… “Far be it from me to throw any fanciful impediment in the way of a plan which would be so consistent with the relative situations of each. I only meant to observe, that it ought not to be lightly engaged in…”
2. He was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him… “And how tired you must be after your journey! You must go to bed early, my dear, and I recommend a little gruel to you before you go.”
3. [He was] a very respectable man, though his name was Richard – and he had never been handsome. He had a considerable independence… and he was not in the least addicted to locking up his daughters.
4. “It sounds reasonable enough, I grant you. However, I think you will find that reason has very little to do with the way society operates. It is all perceptions and appearances, money and manners, posturing and position.”
5. He was a very handsome man, of a commanding aspect, past the bloom, but not past the vigour of life… That he was perfectly agreeable and good-natured, and altogether a very charming man, did not admit of a doubt… “Since they can consent to part with you,” said he, “we may expect philosophy from all the world.”
6. He was more negligent of his family, his habits were worse, and his manners coarser…”Devil take those young dogs! How they are singing out!”
7. [He] was so odd a mixture of of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice… “They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he; “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls…”
8. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. “One wonders how the names of many of our nobility become so common.”

Have you got them all sorted? Thanks for playing the game! Now, check in “comments” for the answers. Reward yourself with tea and scones if you got them all correct … or even if you didn’t. I hope you enjoy a happy Father’s Day!