Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery

Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery Written by Linden (3/14/2003 4:33 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Another idea?, penned by KatherineA

] Do you think JA did not write about people starving to death etc, because, at the end of the day, its just not romantic. JA's novels are romantic escapism. The social commentary within them is limited to the narrow confines of the class they are about. This is not a whiff of *real* scandal or anything that the contemporary reader would find really shocking.

] True or false?

Since you asked, partly true and partly false. While I agree that she confines her social commentary to a small group, and that she never dwells much on guilt and misery, I take issue with the notion that JA's novels are romantic escapism.

Given the nature of the reading public at her time, perhaps the majority of her contemporary readers would have been in pretty much the class she describes. The sorts of comments she got from them often praise her accuracy and realism, as opposed to the wild adventures of the sort she parodies in Northanger Abbey.

Previous message | Next message | Board index

Bad Jane.. Leif G-n (3/10/2003 8:14 p.m.)

What's The Problem Jack Cerf (3/11/2003 1:54 p.m.)
- The problem is.. Leif G-n (3/11/2003 6:05 p.m.)
  - What *is* wrong with having servants? KatherineA (3/13/2003 5:17 p.m.)
    - To be fair to the more egalitarian side helena6 (3/13/2003 10:30 p.m.)
      - Brought Up To It Jack Cerf (3/14/2003 3:36 p.m.)
      - Another idea? KatherineA (3/14/2003 2:33 p.m.)
        
        Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery Linden (3/14/2003 4:33 p.m.)
    - On servants and slaves Linden (3/13/2003 5:33 p.m.)
      - British public opinion in 1814 Linden (3/14/2003 4:57 p.m.)
      - THE industrial town - depicted by Jane   StewartMcI (3/14/2003 2:12 p.m.)
        
        And another industrial site.....   Caroline (3/14/2003 5:39 p.m.)
        
        True, but   KatherineA (3/18/2003 8:16 a.m.)
        
        St Giles and Seven Dials   Linden (3/18/2003 6:40 p.m.)
        
        Hmm......   Caroline (3/18/2003 11:31 a.m.)
        
        You can't fool me! It's Lyme, of course. nfm   Linden (3/15/2003 10:26 p.m.)
        
        You got me! Good point. nfm   Linden (3/14/2003 5:37 p.m.)
        
        And the town you are referring to is...? nfm   KatherineA (3/14/2003 2:26 p.m.)
        
        And the Answer Is   Jack Cerf (3/14/2003 2:48 p.m.)
        
        The Royal Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth   StewartMcI (3/14/2003 5:53 p.m.)
        
        I take your point, but   KatherineA (3/18/2003 8:24 a.m.)
        
        Portsea   Caroline (3/18/2003 12:06 p.m.)
      - Thomas Clarkson KatherineA (3/14/2003 5:37 a.m.)
        
        Follow this link Linden (3/14/2003 4:20 p.m.)
  - Is It, Then? Jack Cerf (3/12/2003 9:34 a.m.)
    - Basis for argument..? Leif G-n (3/12/2003 5:04 p.m.)
      - A Bit Thin Jack Cerf (3/12/2003 6:00 p.m.)
        
        Good or bad ? Leif G-n (3/12/2003 7:59 p.m.)
      - Dear Aunt Jane   helena6 (3/12/2003 5:23 p.m.)
        
        Jane the Impaler   Linden (3/12/2003 8:14 p.m.)
        
        Women are rational creatures   helena6 (3/12/2003 8:52 p.m.)
        
        Really? Then you might enjoy...   Linda Fern (3/13/2003 2:38 a.m.)
        
        Many thanks Linda - good site nfm   Frank (3/14/2003 3:12 a.m.)
        
        As I said   helena6 (3/13/2003 10:54 a.m.)
        
        Lovely Insights   Jack Cerf (3/13/2003 9:43 a.m.)
    - Oh, Jack! Caroline (3/12/2003 1:49 p.m.)
      - Point Taken -- Sorry nfm Jack Cerf (3/12/2003 2:57 p.m.)
Whitewashing JA Caroline (3/10/2003 11:06 p.m.)
- One possible cause? Ann2 (3/11/2003 7:58 a.m.)
  - Cassandra and Whitewashing LizzieT (3/11/2003 10:12 a.m.)
    - Actually, Cassandra is innocent of burning Jane's letters... Mary-L (3/12/2003 12:46 a.m.)
      - Re: Cassandra not burning letters.. Leif G-n (3/12/2003 8:45 p.m.)
        
        Cassandra and the letters Mary-L (3/13/2003 12:49 a.m.)
      - Thank you, Mary. News indeed1 NFM   donald s. taylor (3/12/2003 2:45 a.m.)
        
        Yes, Mary..have you got time for more?   Caroline (3/12/2003 1:51 p.m.)
        
        "Time for more" about Caroline and Cassandra...   Mary-L (3/13/2003 1:03 a.m.)
        
        LOL! Thank you, Mary!   Caroline (3/13/2003 1:01 p.m.)

Jane Austen's Life & Times is maintained by JulieW with WebBBS 3.21.

View thread | Previous message | Next message Board index

- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index

Home

Site Map

JAInfo