“Time Passed On” : Prehistory, Education, and Community Identity in Jane Austen’s Emma...

  • Published In: Eighteenth Century: Theory & Interpretation, 2024, v. 65, n. 3. P. 133 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Grant, Sarabeth 3 of 3

Abstract

The article examines the concept of "conditioning prehistory" in Jane Austen's *Emma*, focusing on how past events and community identity shape the characters and narrative. It argues that Miss Bates, often dismissed as a trivial character, embodies a form of historical consciousness that connects the past to the present through her everyday discourse. The author suggests that Miss Bates's role as a community historian highlights the importance of lived experiences and informal communication in understanding history, contrasting her with other characters who fail to grasp the significance of this historical continuity. Ultimately, the article posits that Emma's interactions with Miss Bates reveal her own historical awareness and moral growth, emphasizing the intertwined nature of individual and community identities. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Eighteenth Century: Theory & Interpretation. 2024/09, Vol. 65, Issue 3, p133
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Psychology
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0193-5380
  • DOI:10.1353/ecy.2024.a969439
  • Accession Number:188787919
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Eighteenth Century: Theory & Interpretation is the property of University of Pennsylvania Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.