Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am at a loss to understand why people hold Miss Austen's novels at so high a rate, which seem to me vulgar in tone, sterile in artistic invention, imprisoned in their wretched conventions of English society, without genius, wit, or knowledge of the world. Never was life so pinched and narrow. ... All that interests in any character [is this]: has he (or she) the money to marry with? ... Suicide is more respectable.

I am at a loss to understand why people hold Miss Austen's n

Summary

This quote is a critical opinion on Jane Austen's novels, expressing the perplexity and disdain the speaker feels towards their popularity. It suggests that they perceive Austen's works as crude in tone, lacking creativity and trapped within the limited social conventions of English society. The quote further indicates a belief that the characters' sole focus revolves around their monetary status and marriages, implying a shallow and uninteresting narrative. Ultimately, the speaker's extreme statement suggests they find the idea of suicide more dignified than engaging with Austen's novels.

Topics

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time

Whatever the universal nature assigns to any man at any time is for the good of that man at that time.

Marcus Aurelius

We live, I think, in the century of science and, perhaps, ev

We live, I think, in the century of science and, perhaps, even in the century of physics.

People want the right to die at a time of their own choosing

People want the right to die at a time of their own choosing. Too many families have watched helplessly as a relative dies slowly, longing for death.

I have to say I regretted giving up animated movies.

I have to say I regretted giving up animated movies.

Rank and riches are chains of gold, but still chains.

Rank and riches are chains of gold, but still chains.

Giovanni Ruffini

You must learn to control your dreams or your dreams will fo

You must learn to control your dreams or your dreams will forever control you.

Wayne Gerard Trotman

Control Dreams Science Fiction Dreaming Self Awareness Self Control Sci Fi Scifi Dreams Quotes Lucid Dreams Mind Control

It's absolutely essential that we have the same safeguards t

It's absolutely essential that we have the same safeguards that straight couples do. But I want more than a 50 percent chance of success. I don't want to emulate that.

Nothing written for pay is worth printing. Only what has bee

Nothing written for pay is worth printing. Only what has been written against the market.

Authors & Writing

You have to be before you can do, and do before you can have

You have to be before you can do, and do before you can have.

Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us

Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.

I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the

I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun's energy. If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago.

What art seeks to disturb is monotony of type, slavery of cu

What art seeks to disturb is monotony of type, slavery of custom, tyranny of habit, and the reduction of man to the level of a machine.