Jane Austen and the Clergy

By Irene Collins

Book Overview

Jane Austen was the daughter of a clergyman, the sister of two others and the cousin of four more. Her principal acquaintances were clergymen and their families, whose social, intellectual and religious attitudes she shared. Yet while clergymen feature in all her novels, often in major roles, there has been little recognition of their significance. To many readers their status and profession is a mystery, as they appear simply to be a sub-species of gentlemen and never seem to perform any duties. Mr Collins in Pride and prejudice is often regarded as little more than a figure of fun.

Astonishingly, Jane Austen and the Clergy is the first book to demonstrate the importance of Jane Austen's clerical background and to explain the clergy in her novels, whether Mr Tilney in Northanger Abbey, Mr Elton in Emma, or a less prominent character such as Dr Grant in Mansfield Park. In this exceptionally well-written and enjoyable book, Irene Collins draws on a wide knowledge of the literature and history of the period to describe who the clergy were, both in the novels and in life: how they were educated and appointed the houses they lived in and the gardens they designed and cultivated; the women they married; their professional and social context; their income, their duties, their moral outlook and their beliefs. Jane Austen and the Clergy uses the facts of Jane Austen's life and the evidence contained in her letters and novels to give a vivid and convincing portrait of the contemporary clergy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1852853271
• ISBN13: 9781852853273
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

To really understand Jane Austen

Jane Austen grew up as the daughter of an Anglican rector. This had a huge influence on her development and outlook. While most of her clergy look foolish or even "un-Christian" one cannot assume that was how she felt about the clergy in general. I learned from this book to see what to her was assumed about Christianity and the clergy. Because she was writing for her contemporaries she didn't explain her views. She didn't need to. If you want to avoid the mistake of interpreting Jane Austen though 21st century eyes you should read this book. Miss Austen was not an Evangelical but her confidence that there was one God to be worshipped was a constant in her life. A valuable book and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

An essential item for Jane Austen lovers

Despite it's rather uninspiring title, this is an excellent book. Irene Collins is a history prof with a special interest in the connection between literature and historical events, and this book is just packed with facts and insights in a readable and entertaining format. It will help you work out just what Edmund Bertram had to go through in order to become the owner of a living, and why Mr Knightly shouldn't be blamed for the appointment of Phillip Elton.I've been a Janeite for four decades and have had the hardback version of this book for five years. I can honestly say that it is one of the two most useful books I have ever found concerning Jane Austen's life and mind, and I am constantly turning to it for reference.The hardback edition and the paperback seem to be the same format, with differences only in the paper quality and size. There are several pertinent black and white illustrations, great endnotes, bibliography and index. The chapters are logically aranged with simple titles like "The Parson's Education", "The Parson's Wife" and "Morals and Society", and I would estimate that over ninety percent of all examples are taken from JA's life and family or from her works. Other examples are contemporary and exceedingly pertinent.Yet it's still light enough to be read from cover to cover, first time around, if you so wish.If you love Jane Austen then you need to read this book. It really is great value for money.

A Splendid Look Into the Country Parish

In this work, Ms. Irene Collins presents to the reader a lovely opportunity to look, not only into the clerical connections of Jane Austen, but also into that of the country parish generally. Those who have read through the charming prose of Jane Austen, yet wanted to take a deeper look into the life of the country parson--a profession so many of her characters possess--would do well to read this book. The main body is composed of nine chapters covering the whole realm of the parson's livng; from his education, to the various neighborhoods he occipied, to the nature and method of worship. Within each she eloquently relates the subject matter to Jane Austen herself; by which, the reader is treated to a lovely portrait of the authoress' life. It also contains several illustrations and eight pages of glossed photographs and pictures. Anyone looking to glimpse into the rural parish of late 18th and early 19th century England, which Jane Austen knew as home, would thoroughly enjoy reading this splendid book.