By Elizabeth Jewell
JASNA member Yvonne Tang, who met Professor John Mullan in England, invited him to be our guest for a discussion of his book What Matters in Jane Austen? Professor Mullan noted that he’d received quite a few questions from JASNA members and could not answer them all, but would tackle five or six of them, particularly those that allowed him to focus on particular passages in Austen. He defined free-indirect style (a narration in the third person that is “bent” through the perspective of an individual character) and quoted Henry James, who assumed Austen did not know what she was doing—an assessment Mullan disagreed with. Mullan looked at several passages from Emma to examine this question, starting with a passage in which Emma assumes Harriet and Mr. Elton are lovers and that, if left alone for a bit, a proposal will occur, although she then realizes this did not happen.
He then discussed proposals and the interesting fact that Austen didn’t detail the successful proposals in most of her works, although she does show us the unsuccessful ones (Darcy’s first proposal, Mr. Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth). But then there is the proposal in Emma; Mullan pointed out that proposals in Austen follow the unwritten rule that when the man proposing assumes the answer will be yes, it’s no, but when he assumes it could be no, it’s yes!
Mullan also discussed bad people in Austen, who think they are good. He mentioned Mr. Elton’s snobbery from Emma and then Mrs. Norris, the bully from Mansfield Park. He also said, in response to a question, that he doesn’t use e-readers much, but he does listen to Audible books, and speculated that it’s a more demanding way to read a book because you can’t skip anything.
In answering questions submitted in the chat, Mullan talked about how he chose the twenty questions he covers in the book, noting that it’s mostly things that he wondered about but didn’t find much criticism answering those questions.
After Mullan’s talk had ended, Yvonne mentioned that his annotated edition of Sense and Sensibility is currently available, and he will soon be publishing an annotated version of Emma.
Further talks by Mullan can be found on the website for Gresham College in London (https://www.gresham.ac.uk/search?for=John+Mullan), as well as an interview by him of Dickens scholar Nick Hornby from the Charleston Literary Festival (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcU1BhwaMLA). Further, Mullan took part in the Austen versus Emily Bronte debate with Kate Mosse (https://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Literature/Literary-History-and-Criticism/Jane-Austen-vs-Emily-Bronte-The-Queens-of-English-Literature-Debate/73931).
Finally, Yvonne also noted that Mullan will be featured at the Mayfair Times Literary Festival in London from June 22 to July 5 (https://mayfairtimes.co.uk/2023/03/litfest/); his talk will be given at the small hotel in the home formerly owned by Jane’s brother, Henry.
Finally, Cathy Kawalek provided this information:
Q: What did Lewes say about Jane Austen?
George Henry Lewes, a prominent English philosopher and literary critic of the 19th century, expressed his views on Jane Austen in his book “The Principles of Success in Literature,” published in 1865. In this work, Lewes praised Austen’s literary skills and recognized her contribution to the novel genre. He described her as a “perfect artist” and admired her ability to capture the nuances of human nature and social interactions.
Lewes appreciated Austen’s keen observation, wit, and subtle humor in depicting the manners and customs of the English gentry. He admired her characterizations, noting that she presented her characters in a vivid and realistic manner. He also commended her for creating engaging plots and maintaining a sense of tension and interest throughout her novels.
However, despite his overall admiration for Austen’s writing, Lewes also criticized her works for being limited in scope and lacking in broader social and political commentary. He considered her focus on domestic situations and the restricted world of the English gentry as a limitation of her work.
In summary, Lewes praised Jane Austen as a skilled and perceptive writer, appreciating her artistry and ability to capture the intricacies of human behavior. However, he also acknowledged certain limitations in her subject matter and the broader social themes explored in her novels.
Q: Who critiqued Jane Austen’s writings in the 1800s?
In the 1800s, Jane Austen’s writings received a mix of reviews and critiques from various individuals. Here are a few notable figures who critiqued her works during that time:
- Sir Walter Scott: A renowned Scottish novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott wrote a review of Austen’s novel “Emma” in 1815. While he acknowledged her talent, he also expressed some reservations about her writing style.
- Richard Whately: An Anglican theologian and philosopher, Richard Whately reviewed Austen’s novel “Mansfield Park” in 1816. His critique focused on moral aspects of the story, expressing concerns about the characters’ behavior.
- Margaret Oliphant: A Scottish novelist and literary critic, Margaret Oliphant wrote about Austen’s novels in the mid-1800s. She recognized Austen’s skills in portraying human nature and social situations but criticized her limited range of subjects and settings.
- Charlotte Brontë: The author of “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Brontë expressed mixed opinions about Austen’s works. In a preface to the second edition of “Wuthering Heights” in 1850, she praised Austen’s talent but criticized the lack of passion and heightening of emotions in her novels.
- Henry James: An American writer and critic, Henry James evaluated Austen’s novels in the late 19th century. He appreciated her keen observation of human behavior but noted a lack of imaginative depth in her works.
These are just a few examples of the individuals who critiqued Jane Austen’s writings during the 1800s. It’s worth noting that Austen’s reputation and appreciation grew significantly in the following centuries, and she is now considered one of the most influential and celebrated authors in English literature.
Yes—we think so too!!