Jane Austen influences(Was: Puzzling Question)

[prefectmarcus at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 24414

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Herald Talia <heraldtalia at j...> wrote:
> > Rowling learned that from Jane Austen.  
> 	
> 	Yes, but Jane was writing a comedy of manners. The 
characterizations are
> excellent, but there really is not much plot. Nothing happens. When 
you
> teach creative writing, you definitely don't assign Austen so that
> students can learn about plot construction. 

> Robyn

I beg your pardon.  Just because you don't have people shooting each 
other, or overthrowing governments, or saving the world/universe 
against overwhelming odds does not mean that there isn't much of a 
plot!

I can't think of a better writer to teach plot construction than Jane 
Austen.  Her plots are so intricate and yet so subtle.  Anyone can do 
"the big bow-wow?", as Scott called it, but precious few can handle 
the delicate stuff. Why not teach from the master?

Andrew Davies, who wrote the screenplay for the latest P&P Adaptation 
stated that her plots were like finely crafted swiss watches.  You 
simply cannot throw anything away and have it work.  Another critic, 
whose name escapes me, stated, "Her work is like a chinese puzzle box. 
 You hold up to the light, shake it, minutely examine it; and yet you 
still can't figure out how it went together."

When I read Joanne Kathleen Rowling, I see the Jane Austen influence 
through-out her works.  The very subtle touches.  The refusal to sink 
to soap-opera melodrama.  The gentle satire and the delicate irony.  
The meticulous plotting.  The careful introduction of innocuous 
details that later become critical.  The 3-D characters.  Their 
subtle, but real growth.  It's all Austen.  

It came as no surprise to me when JKR stated on several occasions that 
Jane Austen is her favorite writer.  I remember reading HP for the 
first time and admiring her Austen-like touches.  Mind you, they don't 
match the master, but her influence is very much there. I kept 
thinking, this writer has either read Austen or should read Austen.  
She had taken the best of Austen without being a slave to her. 

Do not get me wrong.  I think Rowling is a master.  My point is she's 
learned from the best.  Now she's shining in her own light.

Marcus

P.S.: I would love to discuss Jane Austen, especially her masterpiece, 
"Pride and Prejudice"; but not here.  It is a bit OT, unfortunately.  
We've already pushed the limits with our Gandalf discussion.  :(