Her greatness is already established, but can I spot it and show it to you?

Sense and Sensibility Pride and Prejudice Mansfield Park Emma Persuasion Northanger Abbey

Range from the lukewarm (George Bernard Shaw) to the drooling (see the many websites dedicated to her) You need more detail here.

Love Money Customs Social conventions Austen aimed to subvert the conventions of early 1800s English country behaviour with the notion of love. Critics are divided on how successful she was.

The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Published 1813 An instant success Focused on the roles of relationships, love, money and social etiquette in early 1800s England

Use examples Dialogue – “…to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough; one meets it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design – to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad – belongs to you alone.” (p11). Try and re-write that more succinctly. Narrative Voice (p 11-12)

Elizabeth – a mass of contradictions, charming, intelligent, eloquent, funny, sarcastic. Chapter 4 – delight at Jane, suspicious of Bingley sisters. Darcy – tall, dark handsome, misunderstood, heart of gold under frowning exterior Cast of humorous characters including Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Lady Catherine – “I send no compliments to your mother” (p 308) Effective? Engaging?

Is about Elizabeth’s and Jane’s conversation after the Netherfield ball and the description of the Bingley family Characterization through dialogue “Dear Lizzy!” “Oh, you are a good deal too apt, you know, to like people in general…” (p11)

Description of Bingleys. “They were of a respectable family… acquired by trade.” (p12) Bingley and Darcy. “ In understanding, Darcy was the superior.” (p 12) Bingley sisters’ opinion of Jane. “Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet girl,… as he chose. (p13)

Relationships & Money & Social Hierarchy. Austen’s views about social hierarchy come through her characterizations and dialogue of the Bingley sisters, Bingley, Darcy, Elizabeth and Jane. For all the differences in money and social status, it is to other aspects of the characters that Austen focuses. The Bingley sisters are snobbish and prejudiced – some of the same faults of Elizabeth… Money doesn’t mean you’re a better person. (Quote or two needed)