JA's social awareness
Posted by Tenby on May 24, 1998 at 13:21:47:
In response to OOPS! A correction...., written by Caroline on May 24, 1998 at 10:36:43
I know almost nothing on the topic at hand, so will follow the posts with much interest. But if JA really was thinking of 1811-1812 when she wrote P&P, it would only be another example of her often-cited focus on the microcosmic world of love and relationships. I remember this wonderful quote in one preface to P&P (wish I had written it down) that went something like this:
While the French war raged...etc....JA tells us a simple story in which a young man changes his manners and a young lady changes her mind. (!!!)
I get the impression she was pretty aware to the "outer" world, for she followed her brothers' doings, read their articles written for a men's publication (was it a magazine or newspaper?), and had conversations with them on "worldly" topics. But her focus is so "close," to her subjects, that maybe she didn't want to bring anything else into her circle of vision. (???)
-- Tenby
P.S. I don't think I have ever read another author that so minutely dissects the emotions and motives of people's behavior as JA does. Quite striking when considered in light of her time and that "stream of consciousness" etc. had not arrived yet.
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