Posted by Kali on June 23, 1997 at 05:50:58:
In reply to Did you suspect? posted by Janette on June 11, 1997 at 23:43:10
Yes, I did suspect. Frank's fascination with all things Jane sent up a red flag right away...
Austen writes very pointedly at times. She plants intentional clues as to her intended outcomes. The trick, I think, is to avoid taking the intentional blandness of her narration at face value. Pay attention to what the characters say (anything out of character? For example, uncharacteristic clarity and common sense from Harriet, or uncommon irrationality from Mr. Knightley), how often they say it, and how certain sentiments expressed with such force might be later be reversed in perfectly symmetrical irony...