My essay deals with two issues: on the one hand, I try to revalue one of the least loved and appreciated among Austen’s novels, at least until recent times; on the other I argue that one of the highest assets of the novel is the very reason why it has generally been devalued, i.e., Fanny’s ostensibly virtuous, submissive and passive attitude. Having recourse to various linguistically oriented theories, I show, firstly, that Austen’s irony relies on Fanny’s meekness in order to build a foil to the rest of the characters’ faults; secondly, that Fanny’s passivity allows her author to experiment with an unprecedently sophisticated use of narrated monologue.
Character and Characters: The Problems of Fanny Price
FERRECCIO, Giuliana
2004-01-01
Abstract
My essay deals with two issues: on the one hand, I try to revalue one of the least loved and appreciated among Austen’s novels, at least until recent times; on the other I argue that one of the highest assets of the novel is the very reason why it has generally been devalued, i.e., Fanny’s ostensibly virtuous, submissive and passive attitude. Having recourse to various linguistically oriented theories, I show, firstly, that Austen’s irony relies on Fanny’s meekness in order to build a foil to the rest of the characters’ faults; secondly, that Fanny’s passivity allows her author to experiment with an unprecedently sophisticated use of narrated monologue.
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