Comments on: AustenOnly Northanger Abbey Season: Gothic Nightmares

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:40:01 +0000

She was simply a genius, wasn’t she? And such an acute observer of human nature. No praise of her abilities is high enough, IMHO.

By: Alexa Adams

Alexa Adams — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:35:52 +0000

I love Fuseli’s argument, in which you can so easily trace the themes which Dadaism and Surrealism would explore 150 years later. He was painting at a time immediately proceeding the birth of psychology, which this entire Gothic craze fits into so well. Austen was incredibly astute, and well ahead of her time, in her analysis of the workings of these stories on the imagination.

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:02:38 +0000

They are not my favourite boks- and I find the ones by Mrs Radcliffe tiresome..but I can see why Jane Austen would find them unintentionally hilarious

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:32:13 +0000

Having read Udolpho a few years back–I was on a mission to read all the books Jane mentions in her letters or books–I was struck by how dry by modern standards these books are. And looonnng. But then in a world without television, movies, or easy access to large quantities of books, you would want the few books you got your hands on to be lengthy.
I’m looking forward to more on Northanger Abbey. It’s the book I reread the least.

Deb, snowed in in Wisconsin

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:40:40 +0000

I think JAne Austen was one of the best portrayers of teenagers ever( though of course the term would not have been used by her!).She was the most acute observer of the human condition.

By: Cathy Allen

Cathy Allen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:13:35 +0000

Most interesting, Julie. You give me a much clearer picture of what Catherine and Isabella were so excited about, and it’s rather more daring than I supposed! Of course, as you said, it’s …perfect fodder for impressionable teenagers. Which Jane Austen knew well. She was so clever at depicting human nature!

Regarding viewing the on-line exhibit — nah; I think not, thanks. Having passed my teenage years a few decades ago, and being aware that there is enough vulgarity and ugliness in the world as it is (which is why I’ve pretty much stopped watching TV!), I don’t really want to see it. I appreciate YOUR illustrations, though, as always! They are very clear.

Thanks again,
CEA