What was she?
Posted by Mark on October 16, 1997 at 16:00:13:
In response to I agree..., written by Helen on October 16, 1997 at 09:36:00
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] ] ] ... that she reflects the C18th, with its emphasis on balance and order, rather than the Gothic/romantic schools
] ] ] Helen
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] ] Yes, but she isn't really like the 18th century novels with their strong moral and social criticisms either.She doesn't really have a parallel in European literature at any time( a few of us tried to find one French author remotely close to her, and failed)
] ] I think Mark is right.She's unique.She doesn't even fit well with her contemporaries.
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] Yes, but (didn't you know I was going to say that ;-) ) - how come she is so unique in literary terms, and yet in many ways epitomizes her contemporary feeling? (not a rhetorical question, I really want to know).
] Helen
We know she was extremely well read. We know her influences. She loved to read Gothic novels. She loved poetry.
I suspect that the reason that she has her own style, is because nobody can do what she could do. She writes about extremely ordinary happenings occuring on an extrememly small stage. Nobody else has been able to do that and keep the reader's interest.
If you absolutely must have buzz-words, then say that she occupies the cusp of the literary transition between the eighteenth century gothics and the nineteenth century romantics in a world poised on the brink of the Industrial Revolution. That really doesn't say anything, but it sounds nice.
Jane Austen is Jane Austen. Saying anything further is futile, in my opinion. But by all means keep looking if it brings you happiness. Let us know what your search yields.
Mark
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