Discussion of Whining in Jane Austen

Part of the charm of Jane Austen’s novels is the gentle, almost musical “whining” of her characters—their fussing, fretting, and endless complaints about manners, money, and marriage. Rather than being tiresome, these moments are delightful, because Austen turns petty grievances into sharp comedy and sly social commentary. The whining gives us both laughter and insight, reminding us that human vanity and self-importance are timeless—and endlessly entertaining.

• • The meeting will be a combination of discussion & fun quizzes.

Resource material that will be used:

Persuasions #15, 1993 pages 139-147  Jan Fergus
“My sore throats, you know, are always worse than anybody’s”: “Mary Musgrove and Jane Austen’s Art of Whining”
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Persuasions #46, 2024 pages 117 – 128 Linda Zionkowski  “Jane Austen, James Beresford, and the Comedy of Complaint”
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For the October meeting we will also being using:
Persuasions #18, 1996 Jan Fergus    “Male Whiners in Austen’s Novels” 
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