Pathos in JA
Posted by Linden on May 01, 1998 at 19:41:36:
In response to I think we're agreeing straight down the line, written by Laraine on May 01, 1998 at 15:34:03
]] ... where it's not the heroine's own mistake that causes her pain, they are the stuff of pathos, which is rarely so dramatic as tragedy. When she puts them on the main heroine (the point of view character) it doesn't quite come off (Elinor and Fanny).
] I'm sorry, Linden, but I don't quite follow.... But I'm not sure about the pathos and it not coming off--do you mind elaborating?
Pathos is always difficult to pull off: there's always the danger that the reader will feel unsympathetic to the person suffering pain (eg Dickens Little Nell).
The Price wars are evidence that at least a large number of readers can't stand Fanny: they want her to get off her butt and do something.
IMHO, JA can't quite manage it with Elinor, either. She is so virtuous and stoic that it's a bit of an effort to like her. What right has a nineteen year old girl to be so sensible? She has the occasional flash of wit (such as the bit when she drinks Mrs Jennings fine old constantia thinking that, whatever its effect on gout, its abiility to cure a broken heart maight as well be tested on her as on her sister): without that, she could become insufferable.
- Can I get a clarification? Erin 13:53:45 5/02/98
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- Tragedy and pathos Linden 20:02:33 5/02/98
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- Yet... Erin 12:35:18 5/03/98
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- What about S&S Arnessa 22:51:25 5/04/98
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- Aristotle and tragedy... Helen 14:47:18 5/03/98
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- Blah Blah, Tragedy in this "Helen-ic" age Ian of Erin 22:34:11 5/04/98
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- I can't believe... Erin 00:03:25 5/04/98
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- Oh, don't stop!!!! Laraine 14:42:32 5/04/98
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- Even longer... (I'm sorry) Helen 17:43:54 5/04/98
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- Driveling along ;-p Erin 23:12:56 5/04/98
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- Driveling along ;-p Erin 23:12:56 5/04/98
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- Even longer... (I'm sorry) Helen 17:43:54 5/04/98
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- Oh, don't stop!!!! Laraine 14:42:32 5/04/98
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- What did Aristotle say about comedy? Linden 18:47:59 5/03/98
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- Essentially... Erin 22:14:57 5/03/98
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- So JA's comedies aren't Aristotelian? (nfm) Linden 23:56:41 5/03/98
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- I would not use Aristotle's definition Erin 00:20:59 5/04/98
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- We're running off the screen here... Linden 02:15:00 5/04/98
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- We're running off the screen here... Linden 02:15:00 5/04/98
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- I would not use Aristotle's definition Erin 00:20:59 5/04/98
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- So JA's comedies aren't Aristotelian? (nfm) Linden 23:56:41 5/03/98
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- Essentially... Erin 22:14:57 5/03/98
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- Blah Blah, Tragedy in this "Helen-ic" age Ian of Erin 22:34:11 5/04/98
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- What about S&S Arnessa 22:51:25 5/04/98
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- Yet... Erin 12:35:18 5/03/98
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- Tragedy and pathos Linden 20:02:33 5/02/98
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