All three of these pieces of literature discuss the
importance of reading books in their own way. What types of book those should
be and what kind of consequences may come from them differ between authors.
Wollstonecraft:
Wollstonecraft expresses an extreme distaste for novels. She
might equate them to a modern tabloid or trashy harlequin romance, calling
their authors: “stupid novelists, who, knowing little of human nature, work up stale tales, and describe meretricious scenes, all retailed in a sentimental jargon." However, she
qualifies her opinion by pointing out that with the lives which they live, deprived
of many interesting experience afforded to men, the novel is one of the few
sources of interesting entertainment for them. Furthermore, she says that it
makes sense for women to find the reading of history very dry when the rest of
their time is filled with “trifling employments.” Finally she has to concede
that reading something is better than reading nothing. Because Wollstonecraft
is fighting against systems of oppression she must have a firm stance on
education and therefore she stresses the importance of reading ‘legitimate’/education
books but at the very least women should be exercising and growing their brains
with something.
Austen:
Austen expresses more fondness for novels. Although
Catherine has not been able to travel much in her life, she has been able to ‘experience’
certain countries and places through the reading of novels. The character in
Northanger Abbey who expresses the greatest distaste for novels is Thorpe. As
he is also one of the most unpleasant characters, his opinion is discredited. Meanwhile
it is the more lovable characters (Catherine and the Tilneys) who have an affinity
for novels and so this gives their perceptions a positive weight in the book.
Nonetheless, Austen exposes the danger of indulging in too much imagination and
not enough rational thinking with the result of Catherine’s suspicions at
Northanger. In this way, Austen’s commentary on education does align somewhat
with Wollstonecraft’s. Reading anything is good, reading novels along with
other literature is better. I think Austen gives more merit and power to the
novel, particularly in the sense of using them to experience things that might
be impossible within certain lifestyles and financial constraints.
Shelley:
Shelley’s characters are constantly reading and
storytelling. It frequently reminds the reader of the sheer power of books
because they can divulge vast amounts of knowledge which can then be utilized
by the characters- whether for good or evil. Walton is able to form a career
from reading books. Frankenstein also learns his skills of natural philosophy through
books but then he uses that power for morally questionable purposes. The creature
uses books to try and understand language and the human experience. The
importance of reading as a part of education is unquestionable in Frankenstein.
Even when the character is learning from a teacher (Frankenstein and his
professors/the creature and the DeLaceys), she is careful to describe their
personal experiences of reading books as a part of that education. Certainly a
factor in this significant theme could be connections to Shelley’s own life-
learning her mother through her writings and living with a group of writers.
Unlike Wollstonecraft and Austen, Shelley doesn’t seem to be questioning what
types of books to read but rather- what will one use that knowledge for? To go
on a great adventure? To produce something good or terrible? To understand the
self? The question is not whether to read this or that but how one will use or
apply that knowledge in their life.
[589]
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI think you raise a great point at the end of your blog post - that it's not so much what you read as how you apply it in your life. I think that this might be a good topic for your paper, particularly because you could apply it to either Northanger Abbey or Frankenstein. I'd be happy to talk more about this if you decide that it's something you want to explore further. Good work!