I have an appointment with the Professor at St. Mary's College whose class I saw in the calendar of events a few weeks ago. We'll be meeting in November. Here is some of the info he gave me in his email:
"I'm particularly interested in the books that the characters in Austen were reading. Marianne and Willoughby read Scott and Cowper. Cowper, I believe, was Austen's own favorite poet and I particularly like his poem "The Task," which I could well imagine the two of them reading.
Of course, she would have been reading that for pleasure--an "intended course of study" would probably have meant more serious books, and one can imagine what some of those were by the references in other Austen novels--Samuel Johnson's Idler and Rambler essays (recommended by Anne Elliott in Persuasion, who is concerned that Benwick is having his mind turned by too much reading of Scott and Byron), Fordyce's Sermons (recommended by Mr. Collins and despised by Lydia), the histories recommended by Eleanor Tilney in Northanger Abbey (set in contrast with Anne Radcliffe's gothics).
In Austen there's the issue of "literature that's good for you" vs. literature that you really want to read--Marianne may have good resolutions, but I suspect she will be like Emma to an extent, resolving to be "good" but, since some of this reading would be against her nature, falling back to more romantic literature, literature of the heart--which is what Brandon wants to hear and wants her to be reading anyway."
That last part describes me exactly. I am resolving to be good, but finding myself much more attracted to 'fun' reading than 'study' reading. So Marianne is definitely my girl. I will persevere, though, and try to stick to my 'one serious book, one silly book' promise. Fordyce's Sermons is written by a countryman (Scotland - my family is Scottish, among other things) and is really called Sermons to Young Women so it will be perfect to read. Though, I suspect, for hopeless me quite amusing.
From the Jane Austen Centre website:
James Fordyce
On Being Weak and Passive:
In your sex manly exercises are never graceful a tone and figure of the masculine kind are always forbidding men of sensibility desire in every woman soft features a form not robust and demeanor delicate and gentle Nature appears to have formed the (mental) faculties of your sex, for the most part, with less vigour than those of ours, observing the same distinction here as in the more delicate frames of your bodies.
On Submission to Neglect:
I am astonished at the folly of many women who are still reproaching their husbands for leaving them alone, for preferring this or that company to theirs, when, to speak the truth, they have themselves in great measure to blame.
had you behaved to them with more respectful observance studying their humours, overlooking their mistakes, submitting to their opinions in matters indifferent, giving soft answers to hasty words, complaining as little as possible your house might be the abode of domestic bliss.
On Education:
As a small amount of knowledge entertains a woman, so from a woman a small expression of kindness delights, particularly if she has beauty.
On Being Pleasing to Men:
Never perhaps, does a fine woman strike more deeply than when composed into pious recollection she assumes without knowing it superior dignity and new graces the beauties of holiness seem to radiate about her.
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