Would Jane write as well if she lived to be 80?
The Toronto Star muses, upon the occasion of the publication of Philip Roth’s latest novel, whether it is not better for an author to retire at the top of his or her game. The article wonders about Jane Austen and the Brontës, and whether their work would have suffered had they lived long enough:
Jane Austen wrote nothing but masterpieces. She died at the age of 41, however. What if she had lived to be 70 or 80? Would she have found herself repeating the old formula? Emily and Charlotte Bronte were blazing talents while they lived. But neither sister lived to be 40. If they, too, had survived to a ripe old age, would they have tried to keep the flame going by creating ever more ludicrous versions of Heathcliff and Mr. Rochester?
We are convinced that, had Jane finished Sanditon (and not been ill while writing it), it would have been her best work yet. Beyond that, it is hard to say.
