英国文学 Jane Austen.ppt

Jane Austen （1775-1817） Background questions Jane Austen’s life and her achievements Her works The characteristics of her novels Jane Austen’s life and literary achievements There are only two first-hand views of Jane, both done by her sister Cassandra. Life daughter of a country clergyman all her life doing small domestic duties in the countryside and never married Home educated and writing at an early age Only write about the small circles she lived in Altogether she wrote 6 novels. Northanger Abbey Sense and Sensibility Pride and Prejudice Mansfield Park Emma Persuasion Achievements Depiction of upper-middle-class English society sharp attention to the details of everyday life an astute observer of human nature She herself compared her work to a fine engraving made upon a little piece of ivory only two inches square Her novels as satirical romances Characteristics of her novels Mainly concerned about human beings in their personal relations, with family and neighbors. Love story as the major framework of her novels, women who pursue happy marriages as the major characters. A narrow range of life is depicted in the novel--- the provincial life of the nineteenth-century England, all concerning three or four gentry families. Her novel as an art. The plot appears natural and unforced; characters fit into the plot perfectly. She paid much attention to achieve the balance between fact and form. Pre-reading questions: How much do you know about the story of Pride and Prejudice? In your opinion what are the themes of the novel? List some of them and explain your points. Which character in the novel impresses you most? How do you like Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet? Themes Human nature Love and marriage. Property, class, women’s position Selected reading: Chapter I of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Central issues of concern: lively dialogue, vivid characterization; theme of property and marriage After-reading discussion Summarize Mr. Bennet an