It's no secret that the person who would have found Jane Austen fans the most ridiculous is Jane Austen herself. It seems Janeites often miss that mixed in with all the romance, there is more than a fair amount of cynicism.
Take Mansfield Park, which I just finished. Edmund and Fanny may be a nice couple. But it's surprising that they either of them can have anything like a healthy concept of love with the examples in their lives. Edmund's parents' relationship is based on Lady Betrum being so laconic and lackadaisical that Sir Betrum's ego is constantly stroked. Fanny's parents' relationship is a step above abusive. And the third sister in this mix is Mrs. Norris, who found the death of her a husband more freeing than anything.
Reading Northanger Abbey gives one an idea of how Austen would have satirized her own fans. Catherine Morland's love of gothic literature leads her into all sorts of mischief. However, Austen seems to love her little heroine. She loves her generosity and open-heart. She loves that her first inclination is to always trust. I get the idea that Jane envies Catherine's lack of cynicism.
Perhaps being a Janeite isn't so bad after all. Perhaps it merely means that in the midst of a hundred failed relationships and jaded hearts, you still believe that love exists and can hope for the best in those you meet.
Reading Northanger Abbey gives one an idea of how Austen would have satirized her own fans. Catherine Morland's love of gothic literature leads her into all sorts of mischief. However, Austen seems to love her little heroine. She loves her generosity and open-heart. She loves that her first inclination is to always trust. I get the idea that Jane envies Catherine's lack of cynicism.
Perhaps being a Janeite isn't so bad after all. Perhaps it merely means that in the midst of a hundred failed relationships and jaded hearts, you still believe that love exists and can hope for the best in those you meet.
Comments
Post a Comment