Idler | Jane Austen's heroines, from Elizabeth Bennet to Emma Woodhouse | Professor John Mullan

Professor Mullan discusses the major female characters in Austen's novels, including Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse, and shows how she transformed the idea of the heroine in literature.
About the course:
In four lessons, John Mullan, Professor of English at University College London, reveals the ingenuity, subversive social commentary and wit that make Austen one of England’s most important novelists. Over the course of the lessons, you’ll learn about the gender dynamics of nineteenth-century proposals, see how Austen re-imagined the role of the heroine in literature, come to understand why illness plays such a central role in her novels and learn how it’s all about the subtext when it comes to sex.
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[@pmarkhill519]

People who can’t appreciate Fanny Price don’t know what it’s like to get along with others who have more power, who don’t have any idea of the diplomacy an underling must live under.

[@varshana81]

I agree. Also people no longer “get” Fanny Price because folks are no longer in touch with the strong faith (ie, inner strength), sense of “The meek shall inherit the earth” which is why there has never been a great film adaptation of Mansfield Park. Screen writers ludicrously attempt to’sex up’ Fanny. If it’s about having a sexy “heroine” then it’s Miss Crawford -only Miss Crawford is by no means a heroine. She’s a terrible person.

[@evelinmenezes9313]

I could listen Professor John Mullan talks about Jane Austen all day! He is amazing!

[@michellehayes5133]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@user-fl6nv6so8n]

Too true

[@ellie698]

Me too 😁

[@sandeesandwich2180]

I don't think Anne Elliot is masochistic, I think she is trying to employ emotional self-preservation. She's trying to protect her heart by convincing herself that Wentworth is a lost cause. Having no hope to torment her about the possibilities. I love Anne so much, and Persuasion is my favorite of the Austen novels. Though I find it bittersweet, because it always makes me wonder where Jane could have taken future novels, had she lived long enough to write them.

[@judiemeierfranz4329]

I agree, that's how I see her, too.

[@faslab1]

I’m currently finishing my university English dissertation and it’s about Austen’s heroines and free indirect style - All completely inspired by John Mullan. He’s fantastic.

[@DavidBrowningBYD]

I had never compared dear Jane’s heroines in this way, but it makes such sense! Bravo!

[@bebly9797]

Hello! I've loved the book "what matters in jane austen". But I'm here to point out one little thing which prof Mullan says in another conference that is available on youtube: Fanny Price never smiles. When I heard that I was reading MP and I remembered this: at the end of chapter 24 fanny actually smiles to thank mr crawford for letting his horse to william. So at least once fanny smiles and she smiles to henry crawford! That's interesting! 😉

[@ggrother539]

Fanny's frailty, and lack of joy amongst family indicates the common signs of a person suffering the emotional distress of proximal abandonment, and the common related symptoms, lack of appetite, unhealthy complexion, brain fog- altogether lacking vitality, originating from the physical and emotional stress due to the travel, new surroundings, virtual strangers, and their varying behaviour towards her. Fanny was in shock,. Compounding this stress, Aunt Norris exposed her insecurity with her plaintive tone and unrelenting cold attitude. As Fanny warmed to Edward, and as Lady Bertram became increasingly fond of her,, and was kind, the stress eased. Health was restored, blooming looks garnered attention. Fanny's intelligence evolved as she gained access to educational material, in this act, Edward proves unbiased towards women, awake to human rights, and the catalyst for her emerging philosophy. Fanny was witness to human nature , and subject to arbitrary rules, unfair laws, herself, had realized that the degradation forced on other humans had no bounds. MANSFIELD PARK was piercing portrayal of society and the unimagined depths of the soul, spiralling in any direction. Brilliant, effective, subversive. This is my JANE. [e-mail]. PEACE, my world!

[@lenayasutake6824]

What a great breakdown of all of Austen's heroines. Prof. John Mullan always has such wonderful insights.

[@chrystallapsomas2030]

I loved Jane austen books and have read them all my life. I did not analyse them. They were beautifully written and kept mmy attention throughout.

[@coloraturaElise]

He could teach any subject to anyone and make it interesting!

[@Sara-lk2yr]

I also thought at a kind of relation between the heroines... But not so clearly. Thanks a lot to Mr. Mullan!😊🙏 Wonderful!!👏

[@rathnasiribogodage848]

You are a classic example of ' a professor of literature ' by the way you present it ,while enjoying yourself, what you are talking about. I think that is what literature is, like the parables of the bible , to read, to listen and most importantly ,to understand and enjoy. Thanks Prof 😊

[@sofiavalente8818]

This was lovely, thank you for making it!

[@lowlierthanthou8552]

This series of videos has just been brilliant. Hope to see much more from you guys in the future.

[@TheIdlerAcademy]

Thanks man!

[@FHMS97]

this was so enjoyable!

[@benedictcowell6547]

I think the true heroine of Mansfield Park is Susan Price. Her sense of what is right intuitively and the future of Mansfield Park. She will save Tom Bertram. Prewitt-Brown's essay on Emma is superb,

[@EmoBearRights]

I at least can sympathize with Fanny Price. It's Mansfield Park's so called hero who I find it hard to like.

[@mesamies123]

This guy is brilliant! Thank you!

[@charlesiragui2473]

Anne Elliot is the stoic hero, a sad hero who reminds herself of her duty. The stoics preached above all duty and endurance. But Jane Austen shows the emptiness and impossibly of this virtue, as Anne battles forward with self talk, enforced repetition of poetry and tears in her eyes as she plays the piano for others to dance with her love.

[@judiemeierfranz4329]

Jane Austen really did, in writing about people of her own time, wrote about people of all eras (who said that?). The repression and "set an example ", "be strong" "perfection" theme foisted on the oldest is recently retold in Encanto and many people have related to Luisas song Surface Pressure. Interesting.

[@Stephanie-ff6vb]

Thank you for this, I really enjoyed it.

[@TheIdlerAcademy]

Thanks Stephanie. John Mullan is so entertaining isn't he on this subject.

[@charlesiragui2473]

Fanny Price is not only conscious of what is happening, she also has a conscience that the others lack. Consciousness and conscientiousness.

[@AnnNunnally]

Elizabeth also turned down Darcy at Netherfield when he asks her to dance a reel.

[@seto749]

Edmund compliments Fanny's dress when she accompanies him to the vicarage after Mrs Grant included her in the invitation to dinner and she wore the dress she'd worn as a bridesmaid at Maria's wedding. The main point of the ball was that Lady Bertram had the unusual wakefulness, after she'd been dressed herself, to send her own maid to help Fanny. That Emma gets away with Box Hill when Mary Crawford was condemned for less would seem to fit the theme of the presentation rather well.

[@rathnasiribogodage848]

Thanks Prof John ,you are a source of inspiration. Kindly , lecture on Jane' s use of religion and clergy in her works. Thanks!

[@user-xh4os4sx1v]

Brilliant, succinct

[@tonyausten2168]

Jane Austen is so realistic in her ambition in developing her character. Edmund as a second son who is penniless, Sir Bertram encourages him to go for Mary, presumably for her money. Fanny also falls in love with Edmund. What about Thomas the elder son who will inherit Mansfield Park? No woman seems interested in him. I was surprised to see Austen, not even killing him when he got very sick.

[@londongael]

Good point. Tom also seems uninterested in women - he is closer to his male friends. This, along with his love of the theatre, has led some to speculate that he might be gay. I imagine he will (gay or not) marry Fanny's sister, Susan - there's literally no-one else for him to marry, unless a new lady moves in (unlikely, while the Edmund Bertrams occupy the only other gentleman's house). If this happens, Fanny, like Mrs Norris before her, will be the older sister of Lady Bertram, married to the rector, living in the rectory... Sometimes I wonder whether Mansfield Park, with its claustrophobic setting and quasi-incestuous relationships is actually a kind of horror novel, in which generations are doomed to repeat the same pattern. Not that I don't love it!

[@tonyausten2168]

@@londongael Interesting theory, i see Fanny being the future Mrs. Norris. Susan is unlikely to marry Tom. I see Tom remaining single forever.

[@mosart7025]

@@tonyausten2168 I see Tom marrying some outdoorsy, hunt loving 40 something when he is about 50.

[@rebekahpearson9308]

Mr. Mullen in saying that Northanger Abbey should be considered the earliest of Jane Austen’s novels is confused. NA is her third novel. He is conflating the original title, “Susan”, with Lady Susan a very early unfinished effort. Surprising. Sense and Sensibility is, famously, her first complete novel.

[@zuzanka1981]

Susan (Northanger Abbey) was the first presented to the publisher. I'm pretty sure that is what Professor Mullan meant.

[@rebekahpearson9308]

@zuzanka1981 I would have to re-listen to his talk. In looking at the order they were written and the order published I don't see how Northanger Abbey comes into it.

[@zuzanka1981]

@@rebekahpearson9308 I wrote "the first presented to the publisher". The first Jane Austen sought to publish. She hadn't rewritten it much. I've read about why it would have been an extensive work given differences in the Bath social scene in early 1800s and in late 1810s. Check out e.g. Shapard's annotated Persuasion to learn more. Professor Mullan is a JA expert. I am pretty sure he knows both the order her novels were written and published.

[@EmoBearRights]

Lizzy Bennett does have a president but only one I can think of its Shakespeare's Beatrice.

[@jmarie9997]

I think Emma was disliked precisely because she was rich and popular. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood; Elizabeth and Jane Bennet; Fanny Price - they were all financially vulnerable. Anne Elliot was invisible to her immediate family. They needed a Knight in Shining Armor.

[@micheleheddane3804]

Jane Austen is amazing , written 200 yo the people in her books are people you meet now . Emma is for me an uncomfortable book , she annoys me but I can’t help but be interested in her. The most uncomfortable scene in any book I at the picnic where she is horrible to miss Bates the scene always makes me squirm. Brilliant brilliant , she knew people

[@endtimestraveller7716]

Wasn't D'arcy cranky anyway. his friend Bingley was the first generation from trade and until he bought Netherfield had no property. I wonder if Bingley was ever invited to lady Catherine's.

[@ellie698]

He didn't even buy Netherfield did he. He lets it.

[@endtimestraveller7716]

@@ellie698 Even worse.

[@staffanlindstrom576]

@@ellie698 He bought a property after his marriage.

[@heatheralice89]

😊

[@chronicstitcher7933]

The Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility is NOT the best version. Emma, while an excellent actress, was far far too old to play the role. It was also chopped up terribly. The version with Dan Stevens as Edward Ferrers is the best version and the one most closest and true to the original story. I love Emma Thompson, but she was just too old for the role.

[@mosart7025]

At that age I'm kind of surprised she didn't adapt Persuasion. Still 10 years off, but a lot closer than book Elinor's 19 years. Although she could have passed for about 25, and the age of Elinor wasn't as vital to the plot as Marianne's youth. It didn't ruin it for me and I'm usually a severe critic when a book I love is made into a movie. I'll have to look up the other version.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

Yes, her age is an issue. As well as not following the book, as closely as it could have.

[@ruthbeamish8849]

Personally I dislike Emma Woodhouse intensely AND l am very fond of Fanny. So there !!!Catherine of Northanger Abbey is tad irritating and I admire Anne Elliott a lot. She was bullied so much by her family and Lady Bloody Russell and didn't have a chance, A great tragedy that Ms, Austen died so young. How many more brilliant novels could she have written??

[@beckihayes220]

We're all different That's why we all have a different favourite heroine I love Catherine Moreland And yes she's an innocent who gets so much wrong But that's why Jane Austen created her as she was so unlike other heroines of her day But maybe like the heroines in a gothic novel Or your average victims in a modern horror film

[@beckihayes220]

We either like the one we're most like Or if we're in denial we dislike the one we're most like

[@EmoBearRights]

Plus insensitive too.

[@kimberlycosta6283]

Most of the lecture is just one run on sentence. Stop with the AND already.

[@coloraturaElise]

So that's all you got from it....seriously??