‘What have you been judging from? Remember the country and the age in which we live. …Does our education prepare us for such atrocities? …Could they be perpetrated without being known in a country like this, where social and literary intercourse is on such a footing, where everyman is surrounded by a neighbourhood of voluntary spies, and where roads and newspapers lay everything open? Dear Miss Morland, what ideas have you been admitting? ( Chapter XXIV)
1) Consider the quotation above and evaluate what is communicated to you about the speaker ( Henry Tilney) and his view of society. Think also about his relationship with Catherine. Is it hierarchical and knowing? How far are his observations almost those of an author? Even omniscient? Can Tilney ever be wrong? Why?
2) Ian Watt argues that Jane Austen uses conversation in her texts as a means of revealing that:
‘ …our conversations to and about other people are actually unvelings of a more consequential relaity, the self; that the ultimate purport of all our pronouncemnets is unwitting self-definition, an unconscious revelation of our manners, our passions, our intellectual capacities, and our operative moral values.’
Consider the value of this discussion with reference to the following brief extracts from the novel:
a) ‘ Poor Thorpe is in town: I dread the sight of him; his honest heart would feel so much.’ ( James Morland, Chapter XXV)
b) ‘I never was so deceived in anyone’s character in my life before.’
‘Among all the great variety that you have known and studied.’ ( Catherine and Henry, Chapter XXV)
c) ‘ …he is the only man I ever did love or could love, and I trust you will convince him of it. The spring fashions are partly down, and the hats the most frightful you ca imagine. I hope you spend your time pleasantly, but am afraid you never think of of me.’ ( Isabella, Chapter XXVII)
3) How far do we find Austen’s view of romance uncomfortable and yet all too psychologically astute? Do we like those who are literally like us or LIKE us? How far is Henry a most pragmatic hero? Is he very ‘masterful’ in his relationships with women?
‘ …though Henry was now sincerely attached to her – though he felt and delighted in all the excellencies of her character, and truly loved her society – I must confess that his affection originated in nothing better than gratitude; or in other words, that a persuasion of her partiality for him had been the only cause of giving her a serious thought.’ ( Chapter XXX)
4) Re-read your essay and identify your favourite line or insight in the piece. Think about why you enjoy this aspect of your writing and your reflection with those in your group. Then note down a promise to yourself in terms of what you will do next time still better. Reflect upon your writing process.
5) Write down as many ideas as you can in connection with the essay titles in your course book. Which ideas are most appealing? Look at links and development.