3 August 2015 - Jane Austen

Jay Scott : Daily Whale : archive : 2015 : 3 August 2015

A Book Review

After I arrived in Hell I found myself beset by diplomats, so I invited Jane Austen. She entered the torture chamber with an elegant step, a lively eye, a polite smile, and fangs dripping venom. Soon I felt as comfortable as ever, though the slight of my invitation may have been almost enough to make her think of marrying.

clue:

“It was almost enough to make her think of marrying” is my favorite line from Emma. The barb pierces every layer and sticks in the perceived insult that gives rise to it, Emma’s character, the ending of the novel, and the mores of the time.

take oh take this clue away