Day Two Hundred and Thirty Nine
Emma by Jane Austen Page: 220
I always enjoy Austen. Her incisive wit, clear prose and grounded morality are so enjoyable and instructive that I can’t help it. All six of her novels are beautiful and they are each so unique. I’m sad that once I finish Emma I’ll be done with Austen for the year. If I may quote Peter Leithart:
“Precisely this “nominalism,” and minute attention to details of character and relation that accompany it, make Austen’s work a continuing source of both delight and moral instruction. Because of her limitations, she emphasizes the domestic and local context for moral decisions and action. For Austen, the sensational or extraordinary do not provide a sound basis for moral educaion and experience. Hers is not a “lifeboat ethics” focusing on the marginal extremes of ethical decisions. On the contrary, she recognizes that the greatest ethical challenges come in the midst of daily life, precisely when “nothing is happening.” (Miniatures and Morals P. 27)
And that’s why you need to read Austen, need to re-read Austen and need to force your sons and daughters to read Austen.
Mr. Sinta watched the movie (P & P) because his daughter told him it was the very best movie in the entire world. He did not quite see it that way since it lacked the necessary elements of a successful video experience, namely guns, explosions, soldiers, secret agents, hand to hand combat, and fast vehicles.
We have found that the greatest challenge of daily life can sometimes be just not setting fire to your teenagers. We’re pretty morally educated and ethically attentive, especially when they tell us, “Nothing is happening.”
August 26th, 2008 | #
I made the comment here at work about a week ago, “That real men read Jane Austen.” It was followed by an awkward silence.
August 27th, 2008 | #
Megan got me a Jane Austen book that I was really excited to read. Then (the next day) school started, and now all pleasure reading is axed in favor of stupid textbooks.
August 27th, 2008 | #
Alas, if only college textbooks were Great Books…
August 27th, 2008 | #
Brent,
Not surprising. After all, how many “real men” could possibly be working in your department?
August 27th, 2008 | #
I first started to fall for David when I found out he liked Jane Austen.
August 27th, 2008 | #
All together now… “Awww!”
August 27th, 2008 | #