Description
Book Synopsis“Jane Austen’s Families” focuses on family dynamics in Jane Austen’s six novels. After a general introduction, which places its approach in the context of ethical criticism, it divides into two sections. The first, “Family Dynamics,” consists of three chapters – “The Function of the Dysfunctional Family,” “Spoilt Children” and “Usefulness and Exertion.” The three chapters of section two, “Fathers and Daughters,” look at father–daughter relationships in “Mansfield Park,” “Emma” and “Persuasion.”
Trade Review'Sturrock reads the novels through the lens of ethical criticism, and explores how the heroines differ from their parents in terms of morality. [...] Sturrock's contribution lies in her exploration of the various intrafamilial relations: those between sisters, between mothers and daughters, and between fathers and daughters. [...] Exhaustively researched and well written, "Jane Austen's Families" is a pleasure to read.' —'Forum for Modern Language Studies'
‘Sturrock […] has researched, written, and published extensively in the field of 19th-century women’s writing, a fact that is very apparent from the well-researched and knowledgeable tone of this book. […] The author focuses primarily on the role of parents in influencing how children act, think, and feel, both in how they regard one another and in how they deal with society as a whole. She also discusses sibling relationships in great depth. […] Sturrock is clearly conversant with the scholarship in the field of family relationships in Austen and in other novels of the time period. She includes detailed notes and an exhaustive bibliography; despite some dense prose, Sturrock’s style is still engaging and easy to follow. Summing Up: Recommended.’ —R. Stone, ‘Choice’
‘Sturrock’s pseudo-sociological study almost has a “naturalist’s eye” worthy of Austen herself. […] She deftly links Austen’s writing process with the development of characters.’ —Mika Ross-Southall, ‘Times Literary Supplement’
‘Sturrock writes with elegance and ease. But more than that with sympathy and compassion for both the fictional characters and for the hand that created them. […] [A] concise but convincingly argued study.’ —Joceline Bury, ‘Jane Austen’s Regency World’
“Sturrock correctly notes that Austen eschewed the orphan heroine so central to the development of fiction both before and after her.” —Adela Pinch, “Studies in English Literature”
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; References and Abbreviations; General Introduction; PART I: FAMILY DYNAMICS: Introduction; Chapter One: The Functions of the Dysfunctional Family: “Northanger Abbey,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice”; Chapter Two: Spoilt Children: “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park” and “Emma”; Chapter Three: “Usefulness and Exertion”: Mothers and Sisters in “Sense and Sensibility,” “Mansfield Park,” “Emma” and “Persuasion”; PART II: FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS: Introduction; Chapter Four: Money, Morals and “Mansfield Park”; Chapter Five: Speech and Silence in “Emma”; Chapter Six: Dandies and Beauties: The Issue of Good Looks in “Persuasion”; Conclusion: “Creative Attention”; Notes; Select Bibliography; Index
