Jane Austen's Heroines (RLE Jane Austen): Intimacy in Human Relationships

by John Philips Hardy

Overview

First published in 1984, John Hardy's important interpretation of Jane Austen's heroines breaks through the accepted tradition of viewing the author as merely a rational comedienne of manners. He argues instead that Jane Austen's greatness lies in her exploration of human relationships through the subtle and original portrayal of her heroines.

Jane Austen's heroines come to enjoy a distinctive relationship with the men they eventually marry. Between her lovers the potential exists for the kind of intimacy that leads to a shared privacy. Austen's recognition of this represents her special insight into what is of central importance in human relationships. Her belief that love and friendship are our only hope of triumphing over solitude, and the character and integrity of her heroines, are the major elements which make Jane Austen's novels so satisfying.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781136681806
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/02/2012
Series:	Routledge Library Editions: Jane Austen
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	156
File size:	356 KB

About the Author

John Philips Hardy

Table of Contents

1. Catherine Morland  2. Elinor Dashwood  3. Elizabeth Bennet  4. Fanny Price  5. Emma Woodhouse  6. Anne Elliot

Editorial Reviews

'Very thoughtfully and delicately done, with a refreshing lack of critical clichés ... takes Austen criticism on several important steps' - Birmingham Post

'Illuminating' - Financial Times

'Hardy writes about Austen with feeling and understanding.' - Women's Review of Books

From the Publisher - EBOOK COMMENTARY

'Very thoughtfully and delicately done, with a refreshing lack of critical clichés ... takes Austen criticism on several important steps' - Birmingham Post

'Illuminating' - Financial Times

'Hardy writes about Austen with feeling and understanding.' - Women's Review of Books

From the Publisher