Austen & Romanticism
Posted by Linden on June 06, 1998 at 03:09:46:
I'm in the middle of writing material for first year university students, and I wondered if anyone would care to comment on the following bit, which is the way I introduce the topic of Romanticism:
***
“I am only resolved to act in that manner which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me,” says Elizabeth Bennet to an aristocrat who tries to bully her, in Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice".
Romanticism has varied and complex aspects, of which three are represented in this quotation:
• a philosophical view of nature and identity, which puts very high value on the self, on the emotions, and on individual behaviour without reference to convention;
• a literary movement of the late 18th and early 19th century, of which Jane Austen was part, together with other writers such as Wordsworth, Byron, Keats, Goethe, Walter Scott and the Shelleys;
• an attitude to love (Elizabeth Bennet is asserting her right to marry the man of her choice), which nowadays is commodified in Mills and Boon novels.
However, these are not the only aspects. We talk of the romance of steamships, rail, or scenery; there are the medieval romances such as the legends surrounding King Arthur; and historical events may be romanticised in films such as "Braveheart" and "Gone with the Wind".
***
Thoughts, anyone?
Linden
- A plea... Helen 15:37:14 6/12/98
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- By way of Categorical Impurities? Just guessing (:-D gkb 12:19:55 6/16/98
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- Thanks and thoughts Linden 00:34:25 6/13/98
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- By way of Categorical Impurities? Just guessing (:-D gkb 12:19:55 6/16/98
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- Questions, more than thoughts Mark 20:20:01 6/10/98
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- Getting postmodernist, but readable, I hope Linden 22:43:09 6/10/98
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- Some objections Constanza 11:35:25 6/12/98
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- Some objections Constanza 11:35:25 6/12/98
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- Getting postmodernist, but readable, I hope Linden 22:43:09 6/10/98
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- Some Jane Austen quotes on Romanticism (and a poem by Thackeray on Bread and Butter...) The Mysterious H.C. 10:37:14 6/06/98
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- salter-duke@taunet.net.au Linden 20:59:32 6/06/98
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- Yes, but....... Caroline 22:37:41 6/06/98
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- Grave Doubts The Mysterious H.C. 22:12:18 6/06/98
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- In response (longish) Linden 23:18:19 6/06/98
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- Further quibbles and cavils... The Mysterious H.C. 22:46:45 6/07/98
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- Further quibbles and cavils... The Mysterious H.C. 22:46:45 6/07/98
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- In response (longish) Linden 23:18:19 6/06/98
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- Oops! The subject header should have been "Yes, but..." (nfm) Linden 22:06:26 6/06/98
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- Yes, but....... Caroline 22:37:41 6/06/98
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- salter-duke@taunet.net.au Linden 20:59:32 6/06/98
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