Can Jane Eyre Be Happy?: More Puzzles in Classic Fiction
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Author Description
The exciting sequel to the enormously successful Is Heathcliff A Murderer?, John Sutherland's latest collection of literary puzzles, Can Jane Eyre Be Happy? turns up unexpected and brain-teasing aspects of the range of canonical British and American fiction represented in the World's Classics list. With bold imaginative speculation he investigates thirty-four literary conundrums, ranging from Daniel Defoe to Virginia Woolf.Covering issues well beyond the strict confines of Victorian fiction, Sutherland explores the questions readers often ask but critics rarely discuss: Why does Robinson Crusoe find only one footprint? How does Magwitch swim to shore with a great iron on his leg? Where does Fanny Hill keep her contraceptives? Whose side is Hawkeye on? And how does Clarissa Dalloway get home so quickly?As in its universally well received predecessor, the questions and answers in Can Jane Eyre Be Happy? are ingenious and convincing, and return the reader with new respect to the great novels they celebrate.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This collection investigates the logical inconsistencies and narrative puzzles hidden within canonical British and American literature. John Sutherland, a noted scholar of Victorian literature, applies a rigorous analytical framework to thirty-four classic texts. By examining the mechanics of plot and character behavior, he addresses the practical questions that often escape traditional academic discourse.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of thirty-four distinct literary conundrums
- Investigations into works ranging from Daniel Defoe to Virginia Woolf
- Critical examination of plot mechanics and narrative logic
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a comprehensive history of the novels discussed
- It avoids traditional thematic or symbolic interpretation in favor of literalist inquiry
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and readers frequently note the accessibility and wit of Sutherland's approach to canonical texts. Experts highlight this work as a clever exercise in literary forensics that encourages a more attentive reading of classic fiction.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
1997-08-14
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019283309X
ISBN-13:
9780192833099
Non-Fiction
Classic Literature
Essays
Literary theory
Literary Criticism
