18th Century Enthusiasts discussion
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Ashley Campbell
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Oct 19, 2012 05:12AM
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Hi, I'm Shelley. I'm an attorney still kicking myself for not getting that PhD in history like I really wanted. :)
Hi, I'm Adam, I'd like to get a PHD in 18th Century Literature - probably something about Kit Smart or maybe Grub Street's sub-literary culture.Instead I work at a primary school and I am trying to write an 18th century novel in my spare time.
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Hi, I'm Liz from the UK. I've a particular interest in the social history of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the literature of that period.I recently finished Samuel Richardson's Clarissa, which was a marathon, but I thought was wonderful and well worth taking the time to read. I'm currently reading Frances Burney's Evelina.
Adam wrote: "Evelina is a far more enjoyable work."The two are such different works that I'm not sure it's possible for such a simple comparison. Evelina is an utter delight to read, but Clarissa will stay with me a lot longer.
I think many are put off by the length of Clarissa, or give up because it takes so long for any real action to take place, but what is enjoyable for me is the richness of the characters. Richardson shows real psychological insight, and if the plot moves slowly at times - only at times, mind, because beyond the first act I found it a real page-turner - it's because he takes so much trouble with character development. Perhaps it's not to everybody's taste, but I found it a very compelling read.
Evelina, on the other hand, is a wonderful work, sparkling and intelligent. Just a joy to read. It's the first of Burney's that I've read, so I've very much looking forward to her other novels.
I felt clammy reading Clarissa, cold and voyeuristic. It was like Richardson was enjoying his main character's degradation and descent. Fanny Burney is at least on Evelina's side and so felt like a healthy and enjoyable experience.
Adam wrote: "I felt clammy reading Clarissa, cold and voyeuristic. It was like Richardson was enjoying his main character's degradation and descent. Fanny Burney is at least on Evelina's side and so felt like a..."Yes, this. Years after I read Clarissa, I represented victims of sex abuse--and even allowing for centuries and changing views of sex/consent, it's not something I can reread. There are enough disturbing rape/seduction narratives in real life. (And I never met a defendant who didn't claim the victim wanted it.)
Recently I read Rape and Power in Early America, which discusses some of the roles literature played in attitutes/reflected contemporary attitudes. (Clarissa was very popular here and is discussed.)
I'm with everyone else on Evelina! It's Fanny Burney's best novel, IMHO.
