Emma Flashcards
What did Virginia Woolf say about the Myth of Limitation?
“These values are inevitably transferred from life to fiction.”
Who describe Austen’s work as “very finely written”, and “describing the… ordinary life”?
Sir Walter Scott
What is the first known novel?
11th Century ‘The Tale of Genji”
Japan
Who was Jane Austen’s favourite author/book?
Samuel Richardson
- ‘Sir Charles Grandison’
What were some concerns that were held about women reading? (4)
An activity done alone with no help.
Women may learn to think independently.
May talk back to men and lose obedience.
Might cause women to imagine a different life.
When did Jane Austen live?
1775- 1817
When did she begin writing - and at what age?
1788 (12-13 years old)
How many children were in the Austen family?
8
What was her fathers occupation before his death in ___?
died in 1805
Preacher at Steventon
Owned 500 books (very wealthy)
Which of her siblings were adopted out?
Edward (much like Frank Churchill)
When was the Regency period and who ruled England at the time?
1795-1837
Prince Regent George, ruling in stead of his father George III.
What happened in the early 1800s that caused unrest? (5)
Riots Napoleon invasions New inventions (locomotives) Economic depression Habeas Corpus suspended
When was Emma published?
1816
Who was Emma dedicated to?
Prince Regent
Who are the Gentry?
The highest class of England - landowners
Who are the Psuedogentry?
aspire to, live next to, marry into, and educate with the gentry.
How much of the population were Gentry or Psuedogentry in 1803 and what was the percentage of national income?
1.4% of population
15% of national income
Where was social mobility founded?
Marriage (eg Miss Taylor - Mrs Weston)
What is the ‘marriage plot’?
Novelistic marriage tradition with dialogue.
What view does JA offer of marriage?
advocates marriage as fostering personal moral growth with mutual benefits of individuals.
What is the main pressure put on Emma?
Class power
Types of money in the Regency period (2)
Block money (sums of capital) yearly income (from interest)
What kind of novel is Emma? (title)
Eponymous
Significance of names (George Knightley, Frank Churchill, Fairfax, Woodhouse)
George Knightley - epitomizes English gentleman
Frank Churchill - ironic because of character’s secrecy
Fairfax and Woodhouse - opposing armies in the English civil war.
