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This is a very interesting response, which I think capitalizes on a central point in the novel–the danger of artifice, particularly in the hands of a sexually-driven woman. Megalena and Theresa, too, share both the sexually-driven quality and the powers of artifice (77, 105, 109). In each case, the language of “seduction” is used to join sexuality with a kind of hyper-masculinized power–notice the language of wildness, pride, fierceness, turbulence, adventurousness, and so on, all of which are associated with Victoria and Megalena. You put it well when you describe Victoria’s “absolutely dominant position.” This post is interesting in that it gets at the role of seduction in the novel; however, I wonder if it reads these characters from an unacknowledged ideological perspective. For instance, Berenza is passionately in love with Victoria–perhaps? Isn’t there anything about Berenza that we should also be suspicious of? And, remember, he is drawn to her difference, her fierceness, her wildness, her “strong and resolute mind” (76).
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In reply to: Rongling Tang wrote a new post, Double-Standards of the 18-Century, on the site Origins of the "Novel" The author satires the double standards of 18 century UK society towards two groups of people: 1.A […] View
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In reply to: Sana wrote a new post, Dancing as a Common Custom, on the site Origins of the "Novel" In London people apply the best costumes, wear wonderful clothes and attend the best social events. It was the heart of Europe. […] View
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In reply to: Mo wrote a new post, Evelina: The lowly, country, bumpkin comes to London., on the site Origins of the "Novel" First off, I would like to say that Evelina has been the most interesting book I’ve encountered s […] View
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In reply to: k0g71330 wrote a new post, Social Norms in Evelina, on the site Origins of the "Novel" Through various characters in Evelina, Frances Burney demonstrates the preoccupation with reputation and propriety that is […] View
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I am trying to be more focused on a topic, but it seems like I’m not doing very well on that, it strays from the point by the middle part…Anyway, what I’m trying to say is: Double standard and class discrimination is a social phenomenon, which was never seen as a problem before the idea of “equality” was brought to us.(Not saying it’s perfect today, but we’re always trying) And it seems that the author of this book is suggesting that some people, including the author herself, sees this as something unpleasant and hopefully changeable — pointing out the problem is already a great leap at 18 century.
It is very interesting to learn that doctor is a higher class above us; perhaps that’s a culture difference? I’m not sure what you guys do here, but personally, I would prefer the same respect for all work nature and income class. -
We can definitely look at the way that different classes are treated differently in this book; let’s start there! What different classes (or “kinds” of people, if we don’t make it into socioeconomic class) are evident in the novel? How are they distinguished from one another? And then, are there moments where these distinctions break down? Note the structure I’m embedding into this response.
For instance, the Branghtons are routinely held up as ridiculous by Burney; their manners are poor, they are boorish, they don’t understand polite taste. Orville, however, is held up as admirable by Burney; his manners are impeccable, and his understanding of taste is elevated and polite. Evelina is described as “naturally” genteel, though she may lack polish. Evelina elevates Orville’s taste over that of the Branghtons’. Is it merely a coincidence that Orville is a member of the nobility, while the Branghtons are steeped in the middle-class world of commerce? Can they ever, in this system, be “genteel”? That is a question we can ask of the novel, and of Burney’s own blind spots and class-based agenda.
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In reply to: Rongling Tang wrote a new post, Sentimental Covered by Reason, on the site Origins of the "Novel" Our sentimental Mr.Yorick travels across France, all the way from North to South, gathering random little stories […] View
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In reply to: Rongling Tang wrote a new post, Sentimental Covered by Reason, on the site Origins of the "Novel" Our sentimental Mr.Yorick travels across France, all the way from North to South, gathering random little stories […] View
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In reply to: mnm53290 wrote a new post, Sentimental Journey and Language, on the site Origins of the "Novel" The eighteenth century was a time for exploration and travel. Much literature was written within this period which […] View
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In reply to: Sana wrote a new post, Sentimental Journey 101, on the site Origins of the "Novel" While reading this novel, many questions were in my mind; How sentimental Yorick is? How would he describe Sentimental […] View
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In reply to: Mo wrote a new post, None for you, Monk., on the site Origins of the "Novel" Religion is not a main topic of concern of Laurence Sterne in his A Sentimental Journey, it is however, mentioned just often enough to […] View
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Interesting insight. The language used in the novel is very ironic. Meaning that it has to be read on a deeper level. I wonder how his use of language affects how we perceive the characters he comes in contact. It is almost as if we envision these characters based on Yoric’s description to be kind, subtle, or helpful.
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Sure this one needs to be read deeper, it gave me a hard time trying to understand the true meanings, and I have a feeling like I only see the shell of the story…
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I love your map! I thought about doing that myself to see where he traveled, but thankfully don’t have to because you did it! I agree that Yorick does come off as somewhat of a Lothario during his “adventures.” It is interesting that you and Sana concentrated on the sentimental aspect of his personality, especially in regards to women (who seem to be the gender he’s most interested in).
You say, “it is almost like the female has heard what his thoughts and answering him,” which makes me wonder how much of the conversation the reader is actually privy to. I also wonder how much of his meetings with women are embellished to make himself appear more attractive to the reader.-
Thanks! I have some guessings in the map so that they might be not accurate. 1.There are two places named “Montreuil”, which is probably what the author mean by “Montriul”: one is next to Paris, the other is a small village between Calais and Nampont which doesn’t pop out automatically when you search for the none existing place “Montriul”. 2.The other is by the end, there is no such place called “Mount Tauturia” or even something close to it at all! I can only guess by the conversation he was having with the peasant family, probably somewhere between Lyon(s) and Modane.(No mountains by the west of Lyon)
And for fun I even put the places in an app to automatically set up a trip plan, it looks pretty interesting, I almost regret for not taking the time to visit France when I was in UK:)
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I think you’re right, that Yorick’s sentimentalism is rather erotic–this is also about power, though, and his ability to “condescend” or “feel for” these beautiful, fragile, less-fortunate women. I am not sure it’s a question of him either being sentimental to women or removed from men, however; what is similar in his relationships to those less fortunate than himself? Might there be anything broadly “erotic” in that relationship?
The map is a great idea! Several readers have made similar maps, and we’ll look at this one tomorrow as a great example of the novel’s spatial imaginary: http://enec3120.neatline-uva.org/neatline/show/a-sentimental-journey
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In reply to: mnm53290 wrote a new post, Literacy in the Eighteenth Century, on the site Origins of the "Novel" With the changes to print and the printing press during the eighteenth century, “a larger production of text” wer […] View
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In reply to: Sana wrote a new post, Reading Pamela, on the site Origins of the "Novel" Pamela is a very interesting novel to read especially because it is mainly based on letters. Letters are told in the first person; emotions […] View
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In reply to: Mo wrote a new post, Morally Boring and Mildly Enraging, on the site Origins of the "Novel" When I first read through the Pamela excerpt I was . . . enraged, flabbergasted, and frustrated with Pamela’s c […] View
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I was really intrigued by your title! It feels like you are arguing that people are perpetuated into treating others poorly (captors and slaves). I don’t think most people believe that whites, the ones helped perpetuate the triangle trade, are institutionalized like slaves are.
Equiano in writing his story definitely sought to gain the hearts of his readers by appealing to their Christian values. He definitely looked for advocates to his cause.