By Nancy Martin-Young
The Author shows she has actually read the assigned book and listened attentively to the discussion.
The North Carolina chapter has established a very agreeable society, which on February 20th Zoomed in to share insights on Jane West’s A Gossip’s Story. As avowed Janeites, members were naturally predisposed to find West inferior to Austen; however, they allowed that the text has much to admire.
I. –Congenial people make for congenial discussion.
Co-Regional Coordinator Sara Tavela welcomed twenty-four who gathered from coast to coast, because, as one Midwest attendee stated, “You guys are fun to talk to.”
Facilitator Angela Rehbein, associate professor of English and department head at West Liberty University, deftly guided discussion and provided background on Jane West and her oeuvre. Professor Rehbein’s reading experience mirrored the attendees’. They concluded that A Gossip’s Story is both enjoyable and humorous.
II. –Containing a measured defense of West.
Many agreed West deserves to regain the prominence she once enjoyed. A Gossip’s Story is more than a primitive inspiration for Sense and Sensibility. West’s style is different from, not grossly inferior to Austen’s. Education is West’s focus; her purpose, didactic—a style that has fallen out of favor. Her precepts, projected into Mr. Dudley’s monologues, surprisingly echo Mary Wollstonecraft’s. The colonial subtexts in West’s novel recall those found in Mansfield Park.
West’s novel does differ in style from Austen’s brilliant free indirect discourse. A Gossip’s Story, in contrast, is metafictional. Prudentia Homespun is no invisible narrator. She remains in control of the plot, calling attention to her writing process. She is aware of readers’ expectations, though she freely thwarts them. Many readers took Prudentia’s advice and skipped the tiresome poetic interludes.
III. –Some similarities to Austen’s novel are noted.
The group found wry and self-effacing Prudentia Homespun, a gossipy spinster cat lady, highly entertaining. Her arch tone was likened to Austen’s.
Regarding links between Austen and West, attendees concluded that A Gossip’s Story and Sense and Sensibility share obvious parallels, both with the two temperamentally different sisters and debilitatingly sensitive Mariannes.
IV. –A fine instance of literary empathy steers the discussion.
The group launched into a spirited conversation concerning the fate of poor languishing Marianne Dudley, left wretched because of her agonizing sensibility. Instead of remaining unmarried and happy in the special friendship she shared with Miss Milton, Marianne marries and ends up miserable with the equally strong-feeling Mr. Clermont. Their immature union mirrors that of Dora and David Copperfield.
Alas, the tale is set in an age that could not tolerate missteps. While Marianne may bring on her own miseries with her romantic notions, indecorous public behavior, excessive emoting, and emotional immaturity, it is gossip that delivers the most brutal blow to her.
Mrs. Clermont’s defenders in the group noted that, though flawed, amiable Marianne is not evil like her mother-in-law. An upbringing by a fond grandmother instead of a firm mother has rendered Marianne “destitute of natural vigour or acquired stability.” Her reading habits haven’t helped either.
V. –An interesting deviation from the main topic of discussion.
The Author was momentarily distracted from the central conversation by a lively debate in the sidebar chat regarding how happy an ending Marianne Dashwood enjoys married to a man encased in flannel vests. Was Marianne Colonel Brandon’s reward for being a good man who had loved and lost? Would Marianne have embraced him earlier had it not been for “Willorat”? A film fan noted that if one envisions Alan Rickman as Brandon, Marianne’s future looks happy indeed. The Author must agree.
VI. –Honored father or pater malus?
More sprightly debate abounded regarding Mr. Dudley. One camp painted Louisa and Marianne’s father as a tedious, moralizing despot who coerces Marianne into marriage and champions the odious Mr. Milton as a suitable spouse for Louisa. Another camp staunchly defended Dudley’s pragmatic (though heavy-handed) advice and praised his keen sense of responsibility. Since his shipping business is in shambles, he is desperate to assure his daughters are provided for in the future. A vote on the matter proved 72% sided with Dudley, 28% against.
Secondary characters in the novel also appealed to the group, such as the circle of gossips and ridiculous Mr. Alsop, whom Austen herself might have found appealing, though she once avowed that she could “be stout against anything written by Mrs. West.”
VII. –The conclusion. The Author ceremoniously takes leave of the literary event and looks to the future.
The next book club selection will be Robert Morrison’s The Regency Years for May 2022.