(Carrie Bebris, “The Chase”)
“From pride, ignorance, or fashion, our foes are almost as many as our readers.” —Northanger Abbey
(Laurie Viera Rigler, “Intolerable Stupidity”)
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Reading Group Questions and Topics for Discussion
Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey is obsessed with Gothic fiction famous for its ghosts and haunting, while Lauren Willig’s Cate in “A Night at Northanger” is a bona fide skeptic. Why do you think Willig chose to subvert the traits Austen originally gave her character? Do you believe in ghosts?
Discuss the names that F. J. Meier chose for the characters in “Faux Jane.” Anne Elliot is obviously a direct reference to Persuasion, but several others are more subtle. Why do you think Meier chose these names and how did they influence your reading of the story?
In what ways does F. J. Meier encapsulate the modern passion surrounding Jane Austen? Why do you think her books are of such sentimental and monetary value?
Jane Austen’s nieces are a recurring presence throughout this anthology—particularly in Diana Birchall’s “Jane Austen’s Cat” and Adriana Trigiani’s “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane.” How, if at all, do you think Austen’s relationship with her nieces is portrayed differently in these two stories? What are the common themes? How do you think her nieces inspired her writing?
In “Intolerable Stupidity,” Jane Austen’s characters take legal action against writers who have used them in unauthorized sequels and spin-offs. Do you agree with the outcome of the trial? Why do you think Laurie Viera Rigler chose to put the characters on the stand instead of Jane Austen (“the Creator”) herself? What do you suppose Jane Austen would think about that vast canon of work her novels have posthumously inspired?
In cross-examining Mr. Darcy, Fritz says, “No one can make you, or anyone, do what is not in his nature.” Do you think that’s true of all literary sequels? Can you think of any examples of fiction that have completely distorted Mr. Darcy or any other of Jane Austen’s characters? Can you think of examples that have helped you understand their natures better?
Adriana Trigiani says that she wrote her story in epistolary form to celebrate the tradition of letters in Jane Austen’s novels. What are some of your favorite examples of correspondence in Austen’s work? Does “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” strike a tone that reminds you of any particular Austen character?
In “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane,” Jane says that her sister, Cassandra, “is a different sort of spinster than me, as she still hopes and longs for true love, and is certain it will find her, even at her age.” Do you think Jane Austen gave up on love too soon? How do you think she was able to create some of history’s most memorable love stories, given that she had never been married herself?
In Jane Odiwe’s “Waiting,” Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth’s love is put to another test when he comes to meet with her father regarding their engagement. Anne is determined to marry him regardless of her family’s feelings. In what ways does this scene, not included in Austen’s Persuasion, show Anne’s growth as a character? Is this how you imagined such a meeting would have gone?
In Syrie James’s “Jane Austen’s Nightmare,” Jane is visited by her most significant characters—and criticized by nearly all of them. Some are resentful of their faults, some worried that they were too perfect, and some are even out for blood. Why do you think Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Jane, and Mr. Bingley are the only happy characters? Do you think that’s an accurate assessment?
When Jane wakes up from her nightmare, she and her sister, Cassandra, talk about all that she has learned from her characters, and she uses this knowledge to create her final heroine, Anne Elliot. Do you think that in Anne, Jane was able to create a perfect character? What do you think Anne would have said if she had a chance to meet Jane too?
In Stephanie Barron’s “Jane and the Gentleman Rogue,” Jane Austen finds herself the heroine of an important case of international treason. What characteristics do you think make her such an intrepid detective? How do you think the author drew inspiration from Austen’s novels and letters in creating her dogged heroine?
Jane Austen is considered one of literature’s most careful documenters of manners. But in Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway’s “What Would Austen Do?” a teenager who adopts them all verbatim is not only shunned but disciplined. How do you think James’s experience illustrates the differences between modern society and the society of Austen’s time? How do you think Jane Austen would react to the different but equally structured social mores of James’s school?
In Pamela Aidan’s “The Riding Habit,” why is it so important to Mr. Darcy that Elizabeth learn how to ride? What do you think it means to him? To Elizabeth?
At the end of “The Riding Habit,” Mr. Darcy tells Elizabeth: “Recall the riding incident this very day that so nearly ended in injury and disaster. Richard and Georgina—your family—love you and came to your aid. So it shall be with this ball.” Discuss this statement, and what you think it means to Elizabeth. How does it illustrate how far the couple has come since the close of Pride and Prejudice?
Why do you think Maya Slater chose to focus on Maria’s voice in “Letters to Lydia”? What did you learn from this different perspective on Pride and Prejudice?
In Jo Beverley’s “Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss,” Elinor says that she thinks she could have liked Jane, if she was not the writer of “dangerous” books? What do you think she means by that comment? Why do you think Elinor eventually changes her mind about the mistletoe?
In Janet Mullany’s “Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!,” Julie helps her students understand Sense & Sensibility by comparing the characters to the Beatles, emphasizing the versatility of Austen’s novels. What characteristics of her novels do you think make her so appealing to different generations? Can you think of ways in which Sense & Sensibility or other novels are applicable to your life?
Later, Julie says of Austen: “She knows when to tell us things and when not to.” What do you think she means by this? Can you think of some particular examples of Jane Austen’s subtlety?
Jane Austen’s ghost compares herself to Mr. Darcy in Elizabeth Aston’s “The Ghostwriter,” saying that had she been born a man she would have been like him: “reserved, proud, and clever.” From what you know of the author, do you agree with this comparison? How do you think Jane Austen’s career as a writer would have been different if she were a man?
In “The Ghostwriter,” when Sara tells Jane Austen that Mr. Darcy is her ideal man, Austen scoffs, saying: “To yearn for the hero of a novel seems extraordinary to me.” And in Alexandra Potter’s “Me and Mr. Darcy, Again …,” Darcy appears in person, forcing Emily to choose between the romantic hero and her boyfriend back home. So many people have romantic fantasies about fictional characters, Mr. Darcy in particular. Why do you think that is? If you could bring one character to life (from Austen’s novels or elsewhere) who would it be?
In Amanda Grange’s “Mr. Bennet Meets His Match,” John Bennet refuses to marry for money and holds out to marry for love instead. How do you think this story explains his relationship with his daughters later? What does it tell you about Mrs. Bennet?
In “Heard of You,” Margaret C. Sullivan tells the story of how Frederick Wentworth introduced his sister, Sophy, to her husband. Why do you think the captain and Sophy’s love story was so much easier than Wentworth and Anne’s? What do you think this story tells about Wentworth’s character? How, if at all, would you have read Persuasion differently with this knowledge?
Several of the stories, including Myretta Robens’s “The Mysterious Closet,” bring up Austen’s
famous female predecessors, such as the Gothic writer Ann Radcliffe. Why do you think the authors thought it was important to include them? In what ways do you think Jane Austen was influenced by these writers? In what ways did she depart from their traditions? Why, out of all of them, has Austen remained the most popular over time?
Jane Austen famously said before writing Emma that she intended to create a character that no one but she would like. Do you think that’s true? How, if at all, does Monica Fairview’s “Nothing Less Than Fairy-land” alter your opinion of Emma Woodhouse?
Knightley tells Emma that she is the worst matchmaker in England. Despite all of her snafus, why do you think she is still determined to orchestrate the happiness of others? Do you think her plan for Miss Bates and her father will work?
In Beth Pattillo’s “When Only a Darcy Will Do,” a man dresses as Mr. Darcy to get the attention of a woman who has seen him every day but paid him no mind. Why do you think they are able to connect only through their literary counterparts?
In Brenna Aubrey’s “The Love Letter,” Mark’s sister sends him a page from Persuasion to communicate her opinion about his relationship with Justine—an opinion Mark probably wouldn’t have listened to if Justine had simply come out and told him. Have you ever communicated through someone else’s words, whether a page from a book, a poem, a song, or something else? Why?
If you could sit down to tea with Jane Austen, what would you ask her?
Story Credits
“The Riding Habit” by Pamela Aidan, copyright © 2011 by Pamela Aidan
“The Ghostwriter” by Elizabeth Aston, copyright © 2011 by Elizabeth Aston
“The Love Letter” by Brenna Aubrey, copyright © 2011 by Brenna Aubrey
“Jane and the Gentleman Rogue: Being a fragment of a Jane Austen mystery” by Stephanie Barron, copyright © 2011 by Stephanie Barron
“The Chase” by Carrie Bebris, copyright © 2011 by Carrie Bebris
“Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss” by Jo Beverely, copyright © 2011 by Jo Beverley
“Jane Austen’s Cat” by Diana Birchall, copyright © 2011 by Diana Birchall
“Faux Jane” by F. J. Meier, copyright © 2011 by Frank Delaney and Diane Meier
“Nothing Less Than Fairy-land” by Monica Fairview, copyright © 2011 by Monica Fairview
“Mr. Bennet Meets His Match” by Amanda Grange, copyright © 2011 by Amanda Grange
“Jane Austen’s Nightmare” by Syrie James, copyright © 2011 Syrie James
“Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” by Janet Mullany, copyright © 2011 by Janet Mullany
“Waiting: A story inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion” by Jane Odiwe, copyright © 2011 by Jane Odiwe
“When Only a Darcy Will Do” by Beth Pattillo, copyright © 2011 by Beth Pattillo
“Me and Mr. Darcy, Again …” by Alexandra Potter, copyright © 2011 by Alexandra Potter
“What Would Austen Do?” by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway, copyright © 2011 by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
“The Mysterious Closet: A Tale” by Myretta Robens, copyright © 2011 by Myretta Robens
“Letters to Lydia” by Maya Slater, copyright © 2011 by Maya Slater
“Heard of You” by Margaret C. Sullivan, copyright © 2011 by Margaret C. Sullivan
“Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” by Adriana Trigiani, copyright © 2011 by The Glory of Everything Company
“Intolerable Stupidity” by Laurie Viera Rigler, copyright © 2011 by Laurie Viera Rigler
“A Night at Northanger” by Lauren Willig, copyright © 2011 by Lauren Willig
ABOUT THE EDITOR
A lifelong acolyte of Jane Austen, LAUREL ANN NATTRESS is the author/editor of Austenprose.com, a blog devoted to the oeuvre of her favorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. Nattress is a lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a regular contributor to the PBS blog Remotely Connected. Classically trained as a landscape designer at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, she has also worked in marketing for a Grand Opera company and at present she delights in introducing neophytes to the charms of Miss Austen’s prose as a professional bookseller. An expatriate of Southern California, Laurel Ann lives in a country cottage near Seattle, Washington, where it rains a lot.
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