She gets letters
About a month ago, we posted about advice offered by “Ask Amy” in which a teenager fond of matchmaking and giving advice to her friends was advised to read Emma. It appears that we were not the only ones who noticed:
Dear Amy:
As president of The Jane Austen Society of North America, I compliment you on what Emma Woodhouse would call your “capital performance” in suggesting to the “Advice Goddess” that she read “Emma.”
Indeed, it is a truth universally acknowledged that despite being a spinster-writer from the 18th-century English countryside, Jane Austen knew a great deal about male/female relationships. Your writing, “Don’t even get me started on the horrifying prospect of 15-year-olds having sex,” reminds me that Jane Austen actually dealt in “Pride and Prejudice” with the problems of a 15-year-old having sex.
Not every 15-year-old has Mr. Darcy to ride to the rescue. This is why a good dose of Jane Austen or even Jane Austen “lite” (the films) is always good for you!
Joan Klingel Ray, Ph.D.
Jane Austen’s current popularity proves that her favorite theme — love (both familial and romantic) — is timeless.
Thanks to Alert Janeite Kathy for sending the link!
September 3rd, 2005 at 12:19 am
Fantastic advice - agreed. “Emma” novel is a great teacher, for all ages.
September 10th, 2005 at 2:23 pm
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Filed under: Jane in the News — Mags @ 2:23 pm
Obviously preened by a congratulatory letter from the president of JASNA, Ask Amy gently nudges anothe […]