I have a guest post up at Naked Capitalism called "The Comfort Of Others" in which I discuss income inequality, Jane Austen, and the 1%. Austen's understanding of the consequences of money, rank and power in our everyday lives was impeccable.
I finally read the Austen post, and just want to add my congratulations, it's great. Also, the latest comment quotes Jane from later in the book, and is worth repeating:
“Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing, that she thought Fanny might have borne with composure an acquisition of wealth to her brother, by which neither she nor her child could be possibly impoverished.”
Damn, she was good. The historical perspective is important; now we need to establish the mid-20th-century narrative of simultaneously increasing equality and wealth. It's vital to emphasize that what Jane nailed 200 years ago is not inevitable. That's not meant as a criticism, so much as a request for more ...
Yves Smith rocks. Jane Austen too. Her novels are far more radical than Godwin's. She wielded a scalpel with good humor and never preached.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. Nice to see Austen aptly applied.
I see your own style was slightly infected by Austen's. Go complain. Great piece, Susan.
ReplyDeleteMovin on up!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Susan! High time you got more recognition.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Susan!
ReplyDeleteI've always been sickened by that part of S&S, and usually skip it when rereading the book. Next time I'll peruse it more closely.
Congratulations, Susan. I love that blog.
ReplyDelete~
Nicely done, Susan. I do wish more people heeded the Arts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteHeh, I never noticed but my stlye probably was influenced by Austen; I read her books every year.
I finally read the Austen post, and just want to add my congratulations, it's great. Also, the latest comment quotes Jane from later in the book, and is worth repeating:
ReplyDelete“Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing, that she thought Fanny might have borne with composure an acquisition of wealth to her brother, by which neither she nor her child could be possibly impoverished.”
Damn, she was good. The historical perspective is important; now we need to establish the mid-20th-century narrative of simultaneously increasing equality and wealth. It's vital to emphasize that what Jane nailed 200 years ago is not inevitable. That's not meant as a criticism, so much as a request for more ...