Intellectual Elinor -- another look

Posted by kathleen (elder) on June 27, 1998 at 13:05:18:

While visiting in Boston I bought a book about S&S (thanks to Carolyn for finding it for me). The book is "Reshaping the Sexes in Sense and Sensibility", by Moreland Perkins.

I am about half-way through it, and I am finding it full of interesting ideas. The theme is that Elinor, as an intellectual and rational being, is more typical of the "masculine" types of Austen's day. The author does not discount Elinor's emotional self, however, and devotes an entire chapter to that topic.

The writing style is somewhat offputting, with a few too many comments like "in my opinion" and "if my reading is sound" for my taste. An especially interesting example is the following on page 59: "Yet it seems to me that I find in the very moments of the narrator's rendering for us . . . I am much inclined, therefore, to think the author found something . . . ." (italics mine)

I do like Perkins' emphasis on the knowledge gained by rereading the novel. What is missed on first reading can be picked up on subsequent readings -- as we Austen fans are aware.

I recommend this book for the Elinor fans and/or those who enjoy critical writings about Austen's novels.

---

REPLIES:

• Thanks for the tip Arnessa 10:07:43 6/28/98 (7)
  • Real Women v. Real Men ? Brenda T. 20:57:34 6/28/98 (6)
    • Ideals of womanhood Arnessa 22:33:22 6/28/98 (5)
      • JA's ideal man and woman Linden 22:10:40 7/02/98 (0)
      • My humble masculine opinion. Mark 15:06:15 7/01/98 (1)
        • You´re just beautiful! Could you adopt me?:-) NFM sanna 02:31:21 7/02/98 (0)
      • Some quotes kathleen (elder) 15:26:25 6/29/98 (1)
        • Please do! Arnessa 13:08:28 7/01/98 (0)

---

Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.