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Full Description
Jane Austen wrote six books that were published at the beginning of the 19th century, all with happy endings. Yet below the courtship novels' sparkling wit and dance scenes flows an undercurrent of suffering. Austen had a deep understanding of the sources and cure for suffering that shares much in common with Buddhism. Though not intentionally writing through the lens of Buddhism, Austen intuitively understood the Buddha's most fundamental teaching of the Four Noble Truths: that life contains suffering, that we can discover the causes of suffering, and that we can stop suffering by following the Eightfold Path described by the Buddha. In this book, Austen fans or those who wish for a deeper understanding of how stories can alleviate suffering will discover a combination of psychology and Buddhism alongside accessible close readings of Austen. This unique approach offers insight into Austen's enduring popularity and lessons we might apply to our own lives to find happiness--just like Austen's heroines.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
One. Why Stories Matter: The Evolution and Narrative of Anxiety
Two. A Buddhist Solution
Three. Pride and Prejudice and Poison
Four. Sense and Sensibility and Love
Five. The Secret to the Happy Ending: Compassion in Jane Austen's Emma
Six. Catherine as Child of Nature in the Consumer Culture of Northanger Abbey
Seven. Powerful, Not Poor: Fanny Price as Bodhisattva
Eight. Persuasion: Why I Didn't Want to Be Anne Elliot and Why I Now Aspire to Be Her
Conclusion
Epilogue
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
