Life of Lydia

Dear readers,

Any book written in the past is going to have certain aspects that clash with modern sensibilities, and Jane Austen’s works are no exception. All of her works are a product of their time and culture. In this post I will rank them in order of how much they clash with modern sensibilities. Beware of spoliers.

#1-Mansfield Park

Things that clash:

-The assumption that it’s normal and acceptable to fall in love with one’s cousin

-Fanny’s assumption that putting on a play with people outside one’s family = evil.

-The fact that Mrs. Norris/the Bertram family want to adopt their niece “just because” even when she has capable parents.

-The fact that Sir Thomas goes off to his slave plantation.

-All the debates about whether a pastor should live near and interact with his congregation.

-Why Maria would want to stay engaged to Mr. Rushworth.

-Fanny’s reluctance to stand up for herself.

-Just how detrimental adultery was to a family.

-That one passage where servants are described as not being witnesses to William Price’s arival at Mansfield Park.

“…She was with him as he entered the house, and the first minutes of exquisite feeling had no interuption and no witness, unless the servants cheifefly intent upon opening the proper doors could be called such.”

Mansfield Park, Volume 2, chapter 6

Things that align: (By align I mean things that moderns easily understand and/or like)

-The fact that Mrs. Norris is mean.

#2-Emma

Things that clash:

-The entire Emma/Knightly romance. (The age difference, how he is constantly trying to train her, etc.)

-Emma’s keen interest in social status.

-Pretty much everything about Emma Woodhouse.

-The attack from gypsies.

Things that align:

-The Box Hill picnic. (Frank and Emma’s flirting is questionable, Emma’s comment to Miss Bates is rude, etc.)

-The fact that Mrs. Elton is annoying.

#3-Sense and Sensibility

Things that clash:

-Colonel Brandon being in love with Marianne. (The age difference.)

-How sketchy it is for Marianne and Whiloughby to go on a carriage ride together, then visit his house.

-The assumption that two unrelated people couldn’t write letters to each other unless they were engaged.

-The fact it would be dishonorable for Edward to break off his engagement with Lucy.

-The fact that it’s legal for Elinor and Marianne who are both under 21 to drink wine.

Things that align:

-The fact that it’s kind of rude for Marianne to run away from Colonel Brandon.

-The fact that Willoughby is not a great guy.

-The fact that Lucy is annoying.

#4-Pride and Predjudice

Things that clash:

-Why it’s such a big deal for Lydia and Wickham to run off.

-Why it’s offensive for Mr. Collins to introduce himself to Mr. Darcy.

-Why it was smart for Charlotte to marry Mr. Collins.

-Mrs. Bennet’s nervousness about her daughters’ futures.

-The fact that Mr. Darcy tries to separate Jane and Bingley.

Things that align:

-Elizabeth Bennet.

-Mr. Darcy’s strategy for picking a wife. (He cares more about if he likes the person, not if they have money.)

-The fact that Elizabeth forcefully rejects Mr. Darcy, and makes him try to “earn” her.

-The fact that Elizabeth does end up marrying Mr. Darcy and gets to be rich. (The appeal of wealth transcends time and culture.)

(I think that the reason why P&P is the most popular of Jane’s works is because of the things listed above. People these days like it when sassy women put rich men in their place, then marry them.)

#5-Northanger Abbey

Things that clash:

-The discussion (Vol. 1 chapt. 14) about whether or not education is beneficial for girls.

-All the endless talk about contemporary novels. (It might not clash but it is hard to follow for many modern readers.)

Things that align:

The scene where Henry corrects his sister’s grammar. (Brothers never change.)

-The fact that General Tilney is mean.

-The fact that Isabella is deceptive.

-Pretty much of the major plot points.

#6-Persuasion

Things that clash:

-Why Anne can’t just tell Captain Wentworth that she still loves him.

-Why Captain Wentworth feels like he is obligated to marry Louisia just because he hung out with he a bit.

Things that align:

-The idea of second chances with love.

-Captain Wentworth’s unwarvaring devotion to Anne. (People always like the idea of a fellow staying in love for a long time, especially when the person he’s in love with is you.)

-The letter.

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Part of what I enjoy about reading old books is the process of accepting that they are a product of their time. Even if we think it’s weird that Mr. Knightly would marry Emma, or Fanny Price would flip out about a play, we can just accept that that’s how their culture worked and can still appreciate the novel.

Even though there are certain aspects of Jane’s works that clash with modern ideas, it is truly amazing how much her books transcend time. Her characters and plots are relatable even all these years later.