Talk:Anya Jenkins

Quote List?

Does anyone think Anya should have a quote list? Her lines are both funny and revealing about the character (her speech in "The Body", for example) I already contributed to a Glory quote list, but I don't know how you feel about this sort of thing, since quote lists are pretty rare on the Buffy pages. Also, do you have to mention which episode the line is from? I didn't bother with that on Glory's page. Give me your thoughts, and I'd be happy to write one out. If not, I might just write one anyway and you can bitch later. Paul730

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.154.95.174 (talk) 05:37, 12 May 2007 (UTC).

Aud from Norway?

This article currently states that Aud is from Norway, but I don't recall seeing anything in Buffy that makes that clear. The caption for "Selfless" says "Sjornjost, 880 A.D.", but I've not been able to find anything that pinpoints where "Sjornjost" might be. Expedia's world topographic maps, which are the best source I've found yet for finding obscure towns outside the U.S., knows of no Sjornjost. I suspect such a name, during the Viking Age, could be found not only in modern-day Norway, but Sweden, Finland, Denmark, various parts of Germany, Britain, and Iceland, if not further. Does anyone have a canonical Buffy reference or reasonable real-world argument for Norway? — Jeff Q (talk) 19:34, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)

The person who added 'Norway' did so because the actors are speaking Norwegian (see the page history). But I guess if you want to get super-technical, did Norway exist as an entity in the 8th century...? The Singing Badger 21:56, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Ah, I forgot that they were speaking a real Scandanavian tongue. I also don't recall (having just listened the DVD commentary last week) if they'd mentioned which language, but Norwegian would make sense — except, of course, that it didn't exist then. I think Old Norse would have been more appropriate, but that's getting really picayune! (I love it when a TV show goes to the trouble of accurately rendering foreign languages, and Buffy did that quite a bit, usually with decent results. Far be it from me to discourage that practice!)

Anyway, I've edited the article to generalize the location but incorporate this information as well. If anyone has more specific data, feel free to change my changes! — Jeff Q (talk) 22:44, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Just to add in my two cents here, I beleive Sjornjost is a Swedish town. About fifteen minutes into the episode, Olaf is turned into a troll and the town chase him away. A blonde woman in perfect Swedish yells out it is the biggest troll shes ever seen. It was definately not Norwegian (being Norwegian myself). So unless she was just a Swedish tourist roaming around Norwegian villages, chances are the rest of them are also trying to speak swedish. (hard to understand them.) whether or not Sjornjost actually ever existed in real life remains to be proven.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 87.115.228.175 (talk • contribs).

In the commentary for the episode, it was mentioned that the lines were originally going to be dubbed over, but the actors decided to go for it and read them in the Ancient Norse.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 151.197.64.207 (talk • contribs).

For what it's worth, I met Joss at a benefit event last year and asked him some Olaf-related questions, since that character was a favorite of mine; he said that the language in this episode was Swedish. DSatz 15:41, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

I just checked a transcript of the DVD commentary, and yep, they mention it being Swedish. No mention of Norwegian or Ancient Norse or Norway at all.--Nalvage 15:59, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, obviously today's Swedish wasn't spoken back in 860. The people who lived in the areas that were later to be consolidated into the kingdom of Sweden (which probably didn't happen for another hundred years) spoke Old Norse. Having a woman speaking modern Swedish in the episode has got to be just a tongue-in-cheek thing on part of the producers, because I refuse to believe that they would make a blunder like that.

I don't know what Old Norse Sjornjost would be in present-day Swedish, but there is no reason to believe that they didn't make it up. (It's believable as an ON placename though.) --Bonadea (talk) 14:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

In one episode, Anya's talking about how she's an American (and some stuff about capitalism being the cornerstone of Americanism), and Giles says he supposes she is American, her human self anyway (or something like that) - does this relate to the fact that when she became human after being a vengeance demon, she did so in America and was therefore sort of reborn in America, or did he mean her original human self was born in America before going to Sweden (although I don't think transatlantic travel would have been that common back then unless you were off to invade or something!)? Does anyone think this should be mentioned as a continuity problem with the character? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 172.142.12.7 (talk• contribs)

I always interpreted Giles' comment to be referring to Anya's "rebirth" as human from vengeance demon. I can't imagine the writers would make a continuity blunder of this magnitude. Kweeket 21:26, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

It is meaningless to refer to Anya as a fictional Swede. For one thing, Sweden didn't exist when she lived in that part of the world, and for another, she is so very American. THe category Fictional Swedes is not appropriate. --Bonadea (talk) 14:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

Fear of bunnies

For some reason, I have been under the impression that Anya's fear of bunnies goes back to when she and Olaf had a rabbit farm, and the rabbits reproduced out of control. Another possible theory is that because of the high reproductive rate, she decided to give away rabbits to the townspeople, for goodwill, but that this backfired. Is this at all correct? Is it explained clearly in the series? Maver1ck 10:53, 7 November 2005 (UTC)

In Selfless, they do show Anya with bunnies, unafraid. It's likely that her fear sprouts from something to do with these particular bunnies, but no, it's not specifically explained. Snoopydance 01:37, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

Surname issue

We could probably do with finding some way to mention the confusion over the surname; she was given the surname Emerson by the writers of the Sunnydale High Yearbook, gave herself the name Jenkins in Checkpoint and described herself as "Anya lame-ass-made-up-maiden-name Harris" in a flashback in Selfless (almost certainly a flashback to OMWF)... Kinitawowi 00:38, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Is Anya a metaphor for autism?

Ever notice how she always says/does the wrong things for a situation, talks obsessively about the same topics time after time (Xander, vengeance, bunnies, sexual intercourse), speaks pedantically, and is clearly socially impaired? Could it be that Anya has Asperger's/an autistic disorder? And considering how in Buffy witchcraft is a metaphor for being ignored et al, it does not take a huge amount of imagination to link being a demoness-come-human flung into the mortal realm without anything resembling a clue on how to act, to the autistic spectrum. And I should know - I have Asperger's myself. NP Chilla 15:53, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

So do I. Hmmm. I see definite similarities, but there would have to be some official statement that it was a metaphor. Noneofyourbusiness 00:03, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

Speaking as a woman with Asperger's Syndrome myself, I have to say that personally Anya totally seems to have it, and when I'm trying to explain Asperger's to people I often use her as an example because to me she's the best TV representation of the condition I've ever seen, including shows where characters were officially diagnosed with the condition. But yes, this information unfortunately would count as speculation unless there was an official source to back it up. Perhaps it would be appropriate to add to the Trivia section that her personality quirks closely match those of a person with (relatively) higher functioning Asperger's Syndrome? By the way, I wouldn't say socially impaired myself, she seems more to have the same traits with that that I do - certain social conventions I just don't get/understand, and certain ones I do get but choose to ignore because they seem pointless and an utter waste of time to me. Mostly I (like her) get along with my life absolutely fine, I'm just....perhaps noticably quirky to some people. Xmoogle 18:44, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

And what is about the Major? He is an Autist, Clearly! He feels very Alien to me! He even makes Evil sound polite! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.217.100.34 (talk) 14:30, 27 January 2020 (UTC)

Anya failing maths

I'm pretty sure that Anya doesn't actually say she's failing maths but rather she's bunking off from her maths lesson. i'm not sure if i'm right though. i would think she'd be good with maths considering she likes money so much.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.143.196.151 (talk • contribs)

She says she's "flunking" maths, ie. failing. --Nalvage 11:28, 27 February 2007 (UTC)

Actually, at one point it mentions that Anya is great with money and math but it was just maybe a mistake in the script that Anya was "flunking" math. - Kaleidoscope —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.173.116.198 (talk) 21:50, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

She's canonically great with money, and that type of math, that she uses in her working live, but she could've been flunking geometry or something like that. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bismuth-209 (talk • contribs) 11:36, 14 October 2019 (UTC)

History and Halfrek

QUOTE: "It was originally stated that they met during the Crimean War (1854-56), but a later retcon identified Halfrek with Cecily, which means Halfrek was still human in 1880."

The Comic book "Spike: Old Times" includes that Halfrek was "on the job" at the time, so should this retcon note be removed? If I don't hear anything going against this in the next day or so, I'll change it. Jacobshaven3

Good spot, i made the change (see here). If you see something else you know is not quite right, remember you can always 'Be bold' and just make a minor change/improvement without discussion. Obviously that may not be the case for major/significant changes and discussion on the talk-page before-hand maybe appropiate.. -- Paxomen 15:18, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, (Fix's own spelling mistake), it was my first time at an attempt at editing so I was a little reluctant, thanks for the advise though. Jacobshaven3

Glad could be of help (also fix's own spelling mistake) :) -- Paxomen 23:56, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

communist vs capitalist tendencies

Is it worth mentioning that Anya seems to begin with some communistic-type views and buys into the idea of a global worker revolution, but later becomes a staunch capitalist? Her political views were only occasionally referenced, but I always thought that this was one of the most interesting things about her character. Riverbend 18:54, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Teke

When does Anya use telekinesis to knock down an oponent?

In Grave she knocks Jonathan and Andrew back in the jail cell. all Vengeance demons have telekinesis. Halfrek displays it in the episode Older and Far Away. Also, Vengeance Demons have enhanced strength, equal to that of a slayer. That should be included.66.116.17.186 (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 22:18, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't say equal to a slayer, Buffy bested her rather easily and even Giles managed to beat her in "The Wish". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.90.125.101 (talk) 07:02, 23 June 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Anya Jenkins.jpg

Image:Anya Jenkins.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Incorrect sentence

Under "Academic analysis" there is this sentence:

Faith comes "the closest" after Anya to breaking these traditional patterns because, while she is "just as sexual and outspoken" as Anya, she pivotally does not achieve Anya's acceptance within the group; for Anya, this "legitimizes her perspective".

I'm not sure what it's suppose to be saying, thought maybe the person who wrote it could fix it. I was going to simply change it to "Faith comes out of "the closet"...", but that doesn't fit with the rest. Five- (talk) 09:21, 17 July 2010 (UTC)

To paraphrase: Other than Anya, Faith comes nearest to breaking.... Fixing it could mean losing some of the quotation marks, since it's quoted from elsewhere. —Tamfang (talk) 08:54, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

It's quoted from a journal. It does make sense, however, though feel free to rephrase for (better) clarity. Faith comes the closest to breaking the traditional patterns (which Anya also breaks). Clear.~Zythe^{Talk to me!} 18:06, 13 July 2011 (UTC)

Anya/Aud's birth year and age

The character history section states that "Anya was born as Aud in the year 860 in Sjornjost... in 880, at the age of 20, she falls in love with the boorish Olaf". I just finished rewatching the entire series, and I can't remember Anya's date of birth or age at the time that she became a vengeance demon ever being given. Was this just an assumption that someone made, or does anyone have a citation for this claim? — Spanish lullaby (talk) 23:27, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Neither can I remember such a citation--seems to be OR/SYNTH to me. Go ahead and remove it. Jclemens (talk) 02:30, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

I Dream of Anya (With Bleached, Blond Hair)

The title was just so I could direct peoples's attention to an aspect of Anya that no one (and curiously, not even Joss Wheddon has touched upon, much less explained. And yes, I'm somewhat of a fan of Emma Caulfield, so there)!!! I call attention that the character she played in "Buffy", "Anya", was not only a 'vengence demon', but in fact a 'djinn', or "genie" in the same definition that we in the West have come to know. I am not familiar with Nordic folk-mythology or the ancient superstitions of yore in that region, but I suppose every civilization has its evil and mishievious spirits. In Anya's case, she fits the definition of a djinn perfectly, sans to stupid corked bottle routine. She did however possess the amulate which aided in transporting or shift the reality around the bearer who sued to change their circumstance (Cordelia Chase, etc.). Not much more need be drawn out on this subject, as this aspect of the "Buffy" canon stands on its own superbly. I just wanted to clarify precisely what manner of creature (uh, screen character,) the actress Ms. Caulfield had played; and again, superbly! --67.86.97.149 (talk) 15:46, 6 November 2011 (UTC)Veryverser

Pronunciation

At the start of the episode where Aud becomes a demon, her husband calls her Aud to rhyme with 'cloud'. Then later when introducing herself she says I am Aud as in 'odd'. -- DavidMack (talk) 00:10, 11 December 2011 (UTC)

Because it's a deliberate play on how different she is, the preferred pronunciation, per the writers, is indeed, "Odd." --TEHodson 07:25, 11 December 2011 (UTC)

Nationality, again

From time to time, this article is added to the category "Fictional Swedes", "Fictional people of Swedish ancestry", or some similar category. I do not think these are relevant or meaningful categories - this was discussed above in the setion Aud from Norway?, but that was nine years ago, so here goes again. Sweden did not exist in the 9th century, and "Sjornjost" is a fictional place that was supposed to have existed 1300 years ago somewhere in present-day Scandinavia. Unless there is a published backstory somewhere that says that Anya in her human form ever visited post-11th century Scandinavia, we can confidently say that she never even set foot in Sweden. At the very least, calling her a "fictional Swede" would be original research.

This is a very small matter, obviously, but it irks me :-) --bonadea contributions talk 08:57, 30 August 2017 (UTC)