Que-12 What were the advantagrs and disadvantages of jane austen's decision to publish this novel anonymously?
The first edition of Sense and Sensibility was said only to be "by a lady." The second edition, also anonymous, contained on the title page the inscription "by the author of Pride and Prejudise," which had been issued in January 1813 (though Austen had not been credited on the title page of this novel either). Only Austen's immediate family knew of her authorship of these novels. And although publishing anonymously prevented her from acquiring an authorial reputation, it also enabled her to preserve her privacy at a time when entering the public sphere was associated with a reprehensible loss of femininity. Indeed, Austen used to write at Chawton behind a door that creaked when visitors approached; she would avail herself of this warning to hide her manuscript before they entered. Austen may have wanted anonymity not only because of her gender and a desire for privacy, but because of the more general atmosphere of repression pervading her era: Her early writing of Sense and Sensibilitycoincided with the treason trial of Thomas Hardy and the proliferation of government censors as the Napoleonic War progressed. Yet one must consider: perhaps if she had made her gender known, Austen could have made it easier for other women novelists to find acceptance in the publishing world; her books proved that women were intelligent, witty, and insightful just as men were. Women readers might have gained confidence to read this talented woman author. Moreover, perhaps some readers might have valued Austen's biting social commentary all the more had they known it was a woman's viewpoint; women's voices were rarely heard, and Austen was providing a first- hand glimpse into a woman's world and thoughts.
The first edition of Sense and Sensibility was said only to be "by a lady." The second edition, also anonymous, contained on the title page the inscription "by the author of Pride and Prejudise," which had been issued in January 1813 (though Austen had not been credited on the title page of this novel either). Only Austen's immediate family knew of her authorship of these novels. And although publishing anonymously prevented her from acquiring an authorial reputation, it also enabled her to preserve her privacy at a time when entering the public sphere was associated with a reprehensible loss of femininity. Indeed, Austen used to write at Chawton behind a door that creaked when visitors approached; she would avail herself of this warning to hide her manuscript before they entered. Austen may have wanted anonymity not only because of her gender and a desire for privacy, but because of the more general atmosphere of repression pervading her era: Her early writing of Sense and Sensibilitycoincided with the treason trial of Thomas Hardy and the proliferation of government censors as the Napoleonic War progressed. Yet one must consider: perhaps if she had made her gender known, Austen could have made it easier for other women novelists to find acceptance in the publishing world; her books proved that women were intelligent, witty, and insightful just as men were. Women readers might have gained confidence to read this talented woman author. Moreover, perhaps some readers might have valued Austen's biting social commentary all the more had they known it was a woman's viewpoint; women's voices were rarely heard, and Austen was providing a first- hand glimpse into a woman's world and thoughts.
Good attampt.. dear ....
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