austen and bronte
Posted by Kate on October 15, 1997 at 20:58:54:
In response to Had enough., written by Luisa on October 15, 1997 at 15:04:11
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] ] As far as the dialogue goes, I hate to think of some of the sappy and or stupid things I have said in the grip of emotion. Taken in that light, her words seem real enough to me.
] To me too. I still like and admire Jane Austen, but there comes a time when so much composure, civility and self-denial gets to you (at least to me). I`m tired of the "Austen virtue", specially after having finished Mansfield Park (couldnīt keep up with the virtual reading!), one of the most annoying novels Iīve ever read.
I agree about MP - not one of my favourites I'm afraid.
But I disagree that Austen is about 'Composure, civility and self denial". I don't think that Emma was self-denying, or Lizzy or, in the end, Anne. I feel much happier about ALL their marriages than I do about Jane and Rochester's, which seemed in the end, only possible when he became dependent on her, rather than the meeting of two independent and equal people, DESPITE the great Jane speech on this point.
I think Austen's understanding of the foibles and frailties of human nature reflects far more of my experience of people and life than Bronte's huge, flawed, overwhelmingly passionate people. But that in the end may be an entirely subjective analysis!
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