Dearest, loveliest Jane.
I did not include Jane Austen on my original “Thunderclap” list; but, upon reflection, I have decided ’twould be uncouth – nay, unconscionable – to exclude her. My initial argument was that “Thunderclap” means something more than hours of enjoyment: these are books that have impacted me on a visceral level, changing and shaping my understanding of the world and my place in it. I can’t put Jane Austen on my Thunderclap list just because I love her enough to read her books multiple times and even travel to another country to attend a festival in her honor.
I have since concluded, of course, that I was making my definition of “Thunderclap” too narrow. Northanger Abbey may not have twisted my insides like East of Eden or redefined fantasy like the works of Madeleine L’Engle, but it – along with the other works penned by Jane Austen – are still vital components of my literary foundation. Though I cannot point to one specific moment of thunderous revelation or lightning-like clarity, I have a sneaky suspicion that I would be a different person without Jane Austen.
The exact nature of this “Thunderclap” is difficult to codify, but I believe it has something to do with one of the criticisms leveled most often against Jane Austen: the narrowness of her scope. My husband – who, remember, loves Steinbeck as his own soul – has expressed impatience with this aspect of dear Jane in the past.
“What about the servants?” he demanded after we watched the famous “Box Hill” scene in Emma. “They were the ones making the food and carrying everything around and waiting on these people hand and foot. Why don’t we get any of THEIR story?”
*(I should note that he does appreciate Jane’s merits, and has enjoyed many a film/play/book with me.)*
But this, as I tried to explain to him then (and others since) is part of the secret to Jane’s mastery.
Her view of the world was, perforce, narrow; but, rather than letting those lines confine her, she allowed them to hone her gaze down to laser-like intensity. Her portrayal of the class in which she lived – the place, the time, the people – reveals a depth of incisive understanding to which I can only hope to aspire.
The laser was often a cutting one; my giddy aunt, that woman’s tongue was sharp. Methinks the lines Shakespeare gave Benedick about Beatrice were a tad prophetic regarding dear Jane: “She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.” (Much Ado About Nothing) Yet, I believe this wit – as merciless as it may seem – is rooted in a compassion no less deep than I find in Steinbeck.
Jane Austen saw the world around her.
And each book she left (alas that they are so few) gives us a different pair of lenses to examine another facet of that world.
If we lift our head quickly enough from the book, mayhap the lenses will stay on long enough to give us fresh, keen, merrily compassionate insight into our world.
May my writing do the same.
Now, just for funsies, I give you Emma Thompson’s acceptance speech when she won a Golden Globe for the screenplay of Sense & Sensibility. It expresses dear Jane’s charm better than I could do, adding further fuel to my “I freakin’ LOVE you, Emma Thompson” fire.
Oh, thank you!! I had not heard Ms Thompson’s speech from the Golden Globes. Priceless!!! And, I agree that one must understand the laser focus of Miss Austen’s work to fully appreciate her purpose and wit. I do, however, share the concern for those servants on a Box Hill . . . Such a great lot of labor!!!
Check out the comment from Donna Waldron – I’d like to investigate this book!
I heard your mother literally laughing out loud and discovered she was watching the Emma Thompson acceptance speech. As you know, I have been faithful to watch every Austin film multiple times, all for love of my wife! PS, I enjoy them as well.
Have you read Longbourn by Jo Baker? She asked the same question as your husband,”What about the servants?” and answered it with a novel. Nicely done, with great focus on close reading of the novel. A charming parallel to Jane Austen’s world.
Thank you! I am intrigued and look forward to investigating.