By Elizabeth Jewell
Regional Coordinator Sara Tavela was the moderator for our meeting and said in an email following the meeting, “We had a rousing discussion of Austen contemporary Charlotte Lennox’s The Female Quixote [1752], and it was so wonderful to talk with you about this novel that can pose two very different reading experiences (either you find it hilarious and charming, or you’re exhausted by the conceit that Arabella reads the world as Romance – both experiences are very valid!). We talked about Austen connections, what the world of Romance creates, the subversive power of Arabella, and so much more.”
Sara noted that the eighteenth-century pronunciation of the name in the title was “kwiks-it,” not the familiar “kee-how-tee” we now associate with Don Quixote.
She suggested for our breakout rooms that we consider whether we thought Arabella was totally delusional, or was she onto something with her approach to romance? When we went back to the united meeting, many praised the audiobook read by Juliet Stevenson. Even so, some found, whether reading or listening, that the novel became tedious in the middle, featuring the “same farce for ten hours.” Jane Austen read this book, probably aloud with her family, and noted that her least favorite sister-in-law, Mary, didn’t seem to enjoy it, although Jane did.
Charlotte Lennox, though not well-known now, was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright, literary critic, and translator. As a child, her father’s military career led her to live in Albany, New York, for a time, but she moved to London at age thirteen and published her first volume of poetry in 1747. Her career led to praise from both Samuel Johnson and Henry Fielding; she was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. She married Alexander Lennox, but worked to support the family, as her husband apparently only had a job for nine years of their marriage, although he also acted as her agent. The Female Quixote was her most successful work. Toward the end of her life, she separated from her husband and lived in some financial distress, receiving a pension from the royal writers’ fund until she died in 1804. Susan Carlile published a biography of her, entitled Charlotte Lennox: An Independent Mind, in 2023.
We discussed Arabella’s education; I (Elizabeth) criticized her father’s lack of supervision of her reading, given that she seemed to read only the badly translated French romance novels left in the library by her late mother. Surely there were other works in the library? But others pointed out that she lost her mother before even knowing her, so the books may have provided a connection she longed for. Additionally, romance is, even now, one of the most popular genres available. Sue Scott mentioned that when she worked in a bookstore, half of the sales were romances. And the formula for these books was simply “the woman always wins.” Currently, Harlequin publishes 750 romance books a year (without much or any editing, apparently). Romance novels offer fantasy relationships women don’t have in reality.
If a reader wants a broader perspective, nonfiction might be the better option—as was pointed out, Anne Elliot expresses this view to Captain Benwick in Persuasion when she gently suggests he read less poetry. Lennox herself focuses on the characters in her novels, while Austen discussed the novelist’s input (the art).
Sara shared illustrations from the 1799 Cooke’s Illustrated Edition of the novel, noting that Arabella’s clothing, the simple Regency style, was from a slightly later period than the novel. This led to an interesting point about Arabella—despite her romantic interpretation of events, when she was in Bath, she disdained the idle gossip and talk about fashion she found there, preferring to focus on her reading.
The final chapter of the novel has led some critics to claim it may have been written by Samuel Johnson instead of Lennox, while others maintain that Lennox was simply rushed, so any stylistic or printing differences are owing to that. At any rate, in the penultimate chapter, Arabella is convinced by a doctor that she has mixed romance novels with reality and, “cured” by this, she agrees to marry her cousin in the final chapter. Is the doctor providing Arabella with a healthy dose of reality, or is he simply a representation of the patriarchy, “taming” Arabella as she “dwindles into a wife”?
Sara notes, “We also touched on Hallmark’s Loveuary Austen movies that have been airing this month (and are available on streaming: Peacock for live streaming when the movies premiere, and some members found them on YouTube as well). The first movie that aired, Paging Mr. Darcy, seemed to be the one with the best reviews, and next week there will be a period adaptation of Sense and Sensibility with a diverse cast that some of us are looking forward to. Whether you watch or not, I hope you are finding Austen-adjacent fun (whatever that looks like for you) to bring you some Janeite joy.” A few other Austen-related movies were mentioned, including From Prada to Nada, based on Sense and Sensibility; Bride and Prejudice, a musical romance set mostly in India and based on Pride and Prejudice; or Clueless, a modern high-school setting for a story based on Emma.
Coming Up
Sara continued to announce, “Next month, on March 24th, we’ll have literature and medicine scholar Heather Meek with us talking about “Mastectomy in the Age of Austen: Frances Burney’s ‘miserable account'” (meeting information and registration details will be available on our website and in the March newsletter), and it will be a meeting not to miss (whether you join us at the time or take in the recording)!”
Looking further ahead, in April Sue Scott will share her AGM talk on idiolects (individualized speech patterns in Austen’s novels). In May, we may have a book club meeting for The Watsons, although that may be preempted by a special program Sara is not yet sure will occur then. Stay tuned!
In August, we’ll discuss Inger Brodey’s Jane Austen and the Price of Happiness, which comes out in June.
Finally, the 2024 AGM is in Cleveland, while the 2025 AGM will be in Baltimore. In 2026, the national organization will take over some of the planning, which may make it easier for the individual regional chapters to take on the complex planning and organizing needed to host a conference.