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Critical Essays on Jane Austen
First published in 1968, Critical Essays on Jane Austen shines critical and scholarly attention on one of the most widely read of the great English novelists, Jane Austen. The essays provide a varied and challenging discussion on several topics, taking account of the novelist's limitation as well as her greatness. The peculiarity of Austen and her appeal to readers across generations is investigated at length and will be of interest to students of literature, gender studies and history.
- GenresJane AustenNonfiction
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 9, 2017
Obviously only worth reading if you like & know Austen's novels pretty well.
Some essays were better & easier to understand than others. 'Learning Experience & Change' is a reminder to writers that characters are often received better if they show signs of change. Characters with flat arcs are often considered dull- such as Fanny Price in Mansfield Park.
Speaking of that novel, there is a whole essay devoted to arguing its merit which did help me appreciate my least favourite Austen novel a bit more.
Other essays were confusing or boring. The last one, unfortunately, ended with a negative criticism of my favourite Austen novel- Emma. Not a great way to end the book.
But overall, these were thoughtful & well-composed essays that made me see new aspects of Austen & her works.
Some essays were better & easier to understand than others. 'Learning Experience & Change' is a reminder to writers that characters are often received better if they show signs of change. Characters with flat arcs are often considered dull- such as Fanny Price in Mansfield Park.
Speaking of that novel, there is a whole essay devoted to arguing its merit which did help me appreciate my least favourite Austen novel a bit more.
Other essays were confusing or boring. The last one, unfortunately, ended with a negative criticism of my favourite Austen novel- Emma. Not a great way to end the book.
But overall, these were thoughtful & well-composed essays that made me see new aspects of Austen & her works.
April 5, 2024
this book features some really interesting discussion of jane austen's novels!
i will admit i did not read every chapter with equal admiration - my absolute favourites were 'learing experience and change' and 'character and caricature in jane austen'. they offered complex analysis of austen's texts and interesting discussion points. some of the others were very easy to forget, eg 'jane austen's comedy and the nineteenth century', which, while seemingly promising analysis of the comic moments in austen's work, instead offered an overview of nineteenth century criticism.
this book is a little bit out of date now, having been published in 1968, but it was interesting nonetheless.
i will admit i did not read every chapter with equal admiration - my absolute favourites were 'learing experience and change' and 'character and caricature in jane austen'. they offered complex analysis of austen's texts and interesting discussion points. some of the others were very easy to forget, eg 'jane austen's comedy and the nineteenth century', which, while seemingly promising analysis of the comic moments in austen's work, instead offered an overview of nineteenth century criticism.
this book is a little bit out of date now, having been published in 1968, but it was interesting nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews