Jane Austen in Context

A lively illustrated collection of short essays on a wide range of aspects of Austen's life, work and times.

Janet Todd (Edited by)

9780521688536, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 September 2006

498 pages, 43 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.588 kg

"Jane Austen deserves, and here gets, the reward of other people's skillful work on her little bit of ivory, two inches wide.... The Cambridge Edition justifies its claim to the 'the first ever scholarly edition of the works of Jane Austen', and is a fine tribute to her for the twenty-first century."
-Jane Austen Society Newsletter

This collection of essays covering many aspects of Austen's life, works and historical context provides the fullest introduction in one volume to the life and times of Jane Austen. Jane Austen in Context is a generously illustrated collection of short, lively contributions arranged alphabetically, and covering topics from biography to portraits and agriculture to transport. An essay on the reception of Austen's work is also included, showing how criticism of Austen has responded to literary movements and fashions. The volume emphasises the subtle interactions between Austen's life and times and her novels. This is a work of reference that readers and scholars of Austen will turn to again and again.

Preface Janet Todd
Chronology Deirdre Le Faye
Part I. Life and Works: 1. Biography Jan Fergus
2. Composition and publication Kathryn Sutherland
3. Language Anthony Mandal
4. Letters Deirdre Le Faye
5. Literary influences Jane Stabler
6. Memoirs and biographies Deirdre Le Faye
7. Poetry David Selwyn
8. Portraits Margaret Kirkham
Part II. Critical Fortunes: 9. Critical responses, early Mary Waldron
10. Critical responses, 1830–1970 Nicola Trott
11. Critical responses, recent Rajeswari Sunder Rajan
12. Cult of Jane Austen Deidre Lynch
13. Publishing history David Gilson
14. Sequels Deidre Lynch
15. Translations Valerie Cossy and Diego Saglia
Part III. Historical and Cultural Context: 16. Agriculture Robert Clark and Gerry Dutton
17. Book production James Raven
18. Cities Jane Stabler
19. Consumer goods David Selwyn
20. Domestic spaces Claire Lamont
21. Dress Antje Blank
22. Education and accomplishments Gary Kelly
23. Food Maggie Lane
24. Landownership Chris Jones
25. Landscape Alistair M. Duckworth
26. Literary scene Richard Cronin
27. Manners Paula Byrne
28. Medical theories John Wiltshire
29. Money Edward Copeland
30. Nationalism and empire Warren Roberts
31. Pastimes Penny Gay
32. Philosophy Peter Knox-Shaw
33. Politics Nicholas Roe
34. Professions Brian Southam
35. Psychology John Mullan
36. Rank Tom Keymer
37. Reading practices Alan Richardson
38. Religion Michael Wheeler
39. Trade Markman Ellis
40. Transport Pat Rogers
Select bibliography.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]