Jane Austen: Reflections of a Reader

In this chapter, Bartlett shares why Sense and Sensibility is her favourite among Jane Austen's novels. Discussed are this novel's history and criticism; the role of Austen's early manuscripts in her family life; and the role of her plays in her writing (particularly Sense and Sensibility). Next, Bartlett takes a look at humour, as well as mourning, in this novel. She further examines the novel's narration; "silence"; and Dashwood sisters, including a contrast to one another, in terms of desire for control of feeling. The impact that a concern for certain details (of money, food, clothing, or health) has on Austen’s characters is also discussed. Next, a look at Mrs. Dashwood; and comparisons of this novel to Pride and Prejudice. There is an examination of the importance of the two scenes that end Volume I and begin Volume II, including a closer look at Lucy and Anne. Bartlett discusses "sense and sensibility"; comic misapprehension; and the subject of the novel. Finally, she ends her examination with a look at the impact of Edward's announcement.

In this chapter, Bartlett examines the mother-daughter relationship in Jane Austen's six novels, particularly Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Regarding the former, the impact of parental death is discussed, as are Mrs. Dashwood's qualities and beliefs—particularly as they relate to motherhood. Regarding the latter, Bartlett explores the personality of Mrs. Bennet; the goals she has for her daughters; and a connection to all of Austen's heroines. Mansfield Park's three sisters are discussed, as well as Mrs. Price's child (Fanny), her adoption, and her mother's attitude toward sons vs daughters. Addressed is the death of Emma's mother (in Emma) for its appropriateness to the eighteenth century; and the role of Miss Taylor. Regarding Persuasion, there is a discussion of Anne Elliot and her family; the impact of her mother's death on her; and the mother-substitute's persuasiveness. Regarding Northanger Abbey, there is a discussion of Eleanor; her being motherless; and her family—particularly the impact of her father General Tilney. Mother-daughter sets in Sense and Sensibility are examined for their problems and personalities. Bartlett explores this novel’s pattern of a mother having one daughter who resembles herself, and the resulting bias; "sense" and "sensibility", as they apply to the Dashwood sisters; and Mrs. Dashwood's behaviour and its impact. Bartlett comments on Austen's heroines’ beliefs in love and honour vs their need for financial security. Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Bennet are compared and contrasted, with Bartlett commenting on the latter's failings, regarding Elizabeth and Jane. Further explored is the topic of marriage and mothers, relating to Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice; the latter's Lydia being prized because she is like her mother; and the weaknesses of the Bennets as parents. Bartlett questions why there are so few sensible mothers in Austen's novels. Finally, a look at Mrs. Austen and Jane's sister Cassandra—and a possible reason why the latter destroyed most of Jane's letters.

This chapter focuses on Mrs. Jennings. Noted is the importance of the Austen family to Jane Austen's writing, as well as the expectations on her after her first novel was published. Bartlett examines the continuity between Austen's juvenilia and her later writing, particularly Sense and Sensibility. The first section is titled, "Books within Books", partly referring to Austen's juvenile writings—and how many of these very short "novels” were drawn together to achieve a long narrative such as Sense and Sensibility. Bartlett comments on how characters' stories in the novel are given ample space (another reference to "books within books”), particularly Mrs. Jennings. The next section is titled "Two Vulgar Women", where Bartlett examines the complexity with which Mrs. Jennings' character is depicted and developed—and contrasts her to Pride and Prejudice's Mrs. Bennet (and the style Austen uses to represent her). Bartlett explores Austen's writing: the capacity to retain a sympathetic sense of the existence of other people when not immediately confronted with them is of the highest importance to her. The final section is titled "The Vulgar Woman and the Lady: Two Matchmakers": a comparison between Mrs. Jennings and Emma, the vulgar woman and the born lady, both matchmakers. Bartlett explores how Mrs Jennings’ matchmaking is very different from Emma Woodhouse’s because it is founded in a realism about women’s aspirations, their opportunities and expectations. That is contrasted with Emma's selfish, ignorant, and unrealistic matchmaking. Finally, Bartlett comments on the end of Sense and Sensibility as it relates to Mrs. Jennings' matchmaking.

This chapter examines the narrative role of illness (both real and imagined) in Jane Austen's novels, including a quick run-through of the events in the novels that might be thought to call for medical intervention. Austen’s family history is discussed (including her writing history), as well as her own fatal illness and the relationship she had with her mother. Bartlett explores late eighteenth-century medical care in England, and the larger role that family played in this care. There is a detailed discussion of four of the six novels (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma). The interactions of characters (including romantic interests) with the sick are explored, as well as the nursing of the ill, and the symbolic imports of "nursing” itself. Bartlett further explores Austen’s underlying interests in presenting illness in her novels: Austen is not interested in a set of symptoms, but in a situation, in the emotional and physical tenderness between people who share an experience. In turn, Bartlett illuminates Austen’s interest in illness as a device to reveal one’s real nature: in illness one cannot hide it, and perhaps the care of the sick is as revealing as illness itself? An "illness" unique to the eighteenth century is discussed—"nerves”—particularly as it applied to Pride and Prejudice. Finally, Bartlett comments on Jane Austen as a novelist; her portrayal of some illnesses being more equal than others; and similarities between these two groups: the sick and the well, on the one hand; and men and women in love, on the other.