Tag Archives: Jane Austen

Conservatism, Culture, English language, Literature, Western Civilization

Pride and Prejudice again

I often wonder what Jane Austen would have thought of the intense interest in her writings more two hundreds years further on. I wonder whether it had entered her mind that her books would gain a worldwide audience, and her popularity only grow. On the second, I think the answer would be a definite no. It never occurred to her. On the evidence, all she hoped for was the publication of her novels and their acceptance.

On the first, I think she would have been stunned, flabbergasted – and appalled. Appalled at the interpretation by some who attribute political views to her she did not hold. Feminists have given her the status of a feminist icon while the evidence speaks against this.

Jane Austen was a devout Christian, leaning to the High Church of England. Her traditional Christian beliefs, which include the idea of an ordered world, would disqualify this picture before we look at other evidence. In her novels, she savages a range of female types – the stupid, the ignorant, the neurotic, the manipulative, the deceitful, the cruel, and the list goes on. The heartless Mrs Norris in Mansfield Park is perhaps the most vile female character in English fiction.

Continue reading Pride and Prejudice again →
My books

Writing update

I have devoted most of this year to my novel writing (my first love) with interruptions by the Pell Affair and the Amazon Synod. I wrote comments and provided many links to the shocking miscarriage of justice Cardinal Pell suffered. On the quashing of his sentence and release from jail, I gave my full attention to my novel writing, namely to TIMES OF TIMES.

I had reached about 110,000 words with TIMES OF DISTRESS when I saw I was going to make the same mistake as with CASTLE OF HEAVENLY BLISS and IN THIS VALE OF TEARS. If I kept to the plan the book would be too long. As with my other novels, I had two major plot lines. I decided to remove the second plot (33,000 words) which would be the basis of a new book, book 4 in the new CONCILIAR SERIES. It is yet to have a title. I finished the first draft of TIMES OF DISTRESS in early May (87,000 words). It’s now in an advanced stage. I am looking for a publisher.

A second decision was to finish EDITING CONSTANCY. EDITING CONSTANCY had been sitting idly for a couple of years at 45,000 words. I have been working hard and at this point have written 65,000 words with an aim of 80,000. I hope to have the first draft completed in July.

Literature, My books

Jane Austen was a devout Christian

I have always found it curious that some feminists count Jane Austen in the pantheon of feminist heroines. I ‘ve heard it ever since feminism made it to the public arena way back in the 1970s. Her rubbishing of men in the form of Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice and the beautiful exchange between Anne Elliot and Captain Harville in Persuasion are evidence of her anti-patriarchal credentials. These incidents, one was likely to think, prove Jane was just short of calling all males rapists. Perhaps that’s a little overstated. But you get the point.

I thought it strange because Jane was a devout Christian. For feminists of the Marxist sort, Christianity, the standard bearer of the patriarchy, is the deadly enemy of women. The strength of her religious feelings may not hit you in the face in her novels although she shows a distinct partiality towards the clergy despite her hilarious (and devastating) satire of clergyman Mr Collins. But her letters and other documentary evidence show the depths of her religious feelings and the sort of Christianity she subscribed to. More about that in another post.

So it was pleasing to see Vic Sanborn on her website (Jane Austen’s World) acknowledging Jane’s Christian faith in the announcement that ‘a “Praying with Jane” blog tour will begin October 31st’ on her website’. The blog tour ‘will showcase Rachel Dodge’s deeply felt first book, which centres around three prayers Jane Austen wrote’. Rachel Dodge’s book is Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen. See Dodge’s website for more information about this spectacular demonstration of Jane Austen’s Christian belief.

My books

I must do more blogging

Every year around this time I promise myself I will do more blogging during the coming year. Professionals, I read everywhere, insist that blogging is one of the most effective promotional tools for a writer. Despite the advice, I must have one of the worst records of any writer anywhere. I know how bad I do because of some of the blogs and vlogs I follow. I am amazed at the output of some people. I don’t how they do it. Have I an explanation or excuse for this sorry neglect? I do – perhaps an unconvincing one.

You see, I get so tied up in my writing I barely have time for anything else. And the subjects of my writing demand a lot of research. I am presently writing a book about Tony Abbott’s student time. That required an enormous amount of reading before I could get started. In addition, this year (2017) I completed a thorough revision of the two Winterbine titles for new paperback editions. Both books are long. Then there’s my contribution to the Edmund Burke Society website. I just can’t find the time normally.

I will make the same undertaking at the beginning of 2018. More attention to the promotion of my books. Let’s see how I go.

To usher in the new year, I am posting photos of my ‘operations room’ – where I do my writing – to persuade you I am doing what I say, that is, spend most of my time on my writing. On the monitor is text of my Tony Abbott book. If you look closely I am beyond 72,000 words and pushing ahead strongly.

You’ll notice on the table beside my desk a copy of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, a map of Bath (UK) and a copy of The Bestseller Code. The Bestseller Code was a Christmas present. An utterly fascinating book that attempts to explain what makes a bestseller. The map of Bath and the copy of Persuasion are a demonstration that I have continual difficulty in remaining with the one project.

Around three years ago I suddenly had an idea for a novel. I thought it interesting. So I would not forget it, I began writing. I got to 30,000 words before I shelved it. Since then I’ve been back to it several times when bored with what I was doing. I am now at 42,000 words. This morning was another moment of distraction. The map of Bath, and Jane Austen’s novel have to do with the setting and theme of the novel.

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

PS The photos are sharper on my FB page

Literature

Jane Austen’s vigorous defence of the novel

 For many years Northanger Abbey was the only Jane Austen novel (of those published) that I neglected. It was my least favourite. And I don’t know why when I look back. It was probably the impression I gained from reading it as a school boy. When I eventually became inspired enough to pick it up, prompted by one of its television productions, I was surprised to find how modern it was in its depiction of the relations between young men and women.
 
Few males would not know what a flirt is like and the manipulative tricks she can get up to.  Such a flirt was no different in Jane Austen’s day, it seems. In Isabella Thorpe she has depicted the type exactly – and satirised her mercilessly.

Continue reading Jane Austen’s vigorous defence of the novel →

Books, Christianity, Literature

Romance and marriage in Sense and Sensibility

It has always intrigued me that feminists have claimed Jane Austen for their own. Even a brief study of Jane Austen’s books and her background would reveal a woman devout in her Christian faith and in unwavering acceptance of the society she was born into. Of course, that did not stop her satirising people in that society or of highlighting the social faults she perceived. Indeed, there has hardly been a more brutal satirist of human foibles and weaknesses in all of English literature.   She especially targeted people who were pompous, hypocritical, obsequious, nasty and selfish – all in the context of her late 18th and early 19th century English society. Continue reading Romance and marriage in Sense and Sensibility →