Jane Austen, the Primary Source
Posted by Carolyn B on April 19, 1998 at 15:37:37:
In response to Jane Austen, the Historian, written by Earlene on April 19, 1998 at 03:32:00
] The thing that I find so remarkable about Ms Austen is the way that anyone who reads her books can learn so much about her life and the times that she lived in.
Excuse me for being technical : )
"Jane Austen the Historian" would really refer to the precocious young lady who wrote that history of England
What I think you mean is that JA's books serve as "primary sources" or first-hand information about many of those details of everyday life that we find so interesting (and which are often not addressed in many boring history books and school courses - though that is changing).
The works of many writers of past make excellent primary sources for us as historians (professional or amateur - in my definition everyone is a historian when we interpret the past, but some are more accurate than others). But JA especially mentions things that are of interest to many of us here (details of home life and women's life and the structure and customs of her society) that many other authors (esp. male, but female writers as well) didn't bother to include.
End of pontification....
; )
- Thank you Earlene 05:22:16 4/20/98
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- Just me being picky. Hope I did not offend : ) *nfm* Carolyn B 19:20:14 4/20/98
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- Just me being picky. Hope I did not offend : ) *nfm* Carolyn B 19:20:14 4/20/98
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