Why Austen bores the modern audience Essay Example for Free

Why Austen bores the modern audience Essay But the scenario with Darcy and his two proposals counters this philosophy, and makes an extremely discreet statement. Alternatively There must be something that makes the novel a universally acknowledged classic. Here are some of the ways Jane Austen attempts to quell boredom In contemplating this, it must be taken in mind that social attitudes were at a peak of mildness and placidity in the Victorian period (table legs = table unmentionables); much less was required to imply passion to the reader (this rather paradoxically Victorians must have needed much dirtier minds). In the complete book I dont think there is one romantic physical gesture cited; even the language goes little further than expressing how cheerful the speaker is (I was utterly delighted); but when Austen does want to construct specific atmospheres she demonstrates a range of artistic techniques to achieve this: inside the first chapter of the third volume there is a scene possessing an excitement foreign to the rest of the book. Austen introduces Darcy back into the story without any real preceding apprehension: while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it suddenly came forward from the road, which led behind it to the stables. This remark is so subtle that it takes a few seconds to contemplate what has actually happened in that respect we share exactly the feelings that Elizabeth must be experiencing. Various dialogues in the preceding volume give the impression that there is no danger of Darcys materializing; and the consistent tepidity of the novel assure us that Austen wouldnt stoop so low as to fabricate a coincidence like this that when it does happen it seems ingenious. There are some attractive and imaginative narrative techniques inside the book which momentarily quench the monotony, and when I read the fourth chapter of the third volume, I have to confess that I was intrigued. The chapter is narrated on the behalf of a character other than the main focus of the story (Elizabeth), in the standard form of a letter. But interestingly, there are two correspondences making up the chapter, one composed a day after the other; which is a rational way to break up the continuity of the story and thus generate some much required tension. The form of the novel three separate volumes could have several motives: printing restraints, a desire to make more money, writers block (more time to keep the publishers happy)* or genuine artistic consideration. Indeed, the events fit pretty tidily into three sections, with cliff-hangers at the end of the preceding two (will they stay in London oh, they will; what will happen when they get to Mr. Darcys house Theyll theyll meet Mr. Darcy). The book has a standard relationships-problems-weddings structure. Jane Austens choice of language is pretty limited to the rigid and self-important vocabulary necessitated by the presence of upper-class Victorian females (vexed, delighted, utterly ); she employs this to great effect though, probably owing to her own circumstances. Aside from the abovementioned portentous dispatch there are some instances of words employed for a specific effect: Darcys letter in chapter twelve of the second volume is a good example Austen writing on behalf of an apologetic and mildly arrogant rejectee. Darcy pleads her justice in perusing his countenance, and he offends her out of necessity. The previous example especially is both humble and superior: he only insults her because he is forced to; nevertheless he is taking a liberty by considering a necessity to affront. (I resisted an urge here to cross reference Jane Austen with Catherine Tate. Its obvious who the real genius is ) Patterns of words are exploited throughout; recurrently the phrase structure of the adverb most followed by an adjective in creating speech for the fairer sex: most displeased, most agitated, etc. The effect achieved is much the same as the abovementioned an upper-class verbalization. The spectrum of emotional effects throughout the whole book is small. From the depiction of mild anticipatory discomfort to the fairly strong sense of awkwardness portrayed in Elizabeths meetings with Darcy subsequent to the receiving of the explanatory letter, there is no contrast harsh enough for us to relate in any significant way to the characters happiness at the end of the story. In conclusion, despite my judgment of this book as an uneventful, upper-class, pretentious, boring novel so distant from todays morals as to be almost surreal; which only approaches the mildly amusing in the half-hearted humour directed at the un-funny comments by Mr. Bennet above; I can go as far to say that when compared with the two greatest writers of her era, Austen has a comfortable top-three placement. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Miscellaneous section.