Fanny Burney Criticism
Fanny Burney, also known as Madame d'Arblay, is a pivotal figure in the development of the English novel of manners, especially noted for her influential work, Evelina; or, A Young Lady's Entrance into the World (1778). As Edward Bloom discusses, Evelina is renowned for its humor, accessible prose, and sharp social observations, marking Burney as a precursor to Jane Austen. Her novels bridge the narrative techniques of Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding, forging a path for domestic novels and the works of Maria Edgeworth.
Born into a family steeped in music and intellectual discourse, Burney was largely self-taught. Despite her father's initial disapproval, her literary talent emerged when she anonymously published Evelina, which earned her a place among literary elites like Samuel Johnson. Her subsequent works, including Cecilia and Camilla, further explored societal norms and the constraints on women, though they never quite captured the spontaneity of her debut.
The Wanderer, her final novel, has gained critical attention for its portrayal of a woman striving for independence, a theme that resonates with modern feminist perspectives, as noted in Margaret Drabble's reassessment. Burney's diaries and letters are also highly valued for their vivid recounting of 18th-century life, though they attracted criticism for perceived egocentrism.
Overall, while contemporary critics like John Wilson Croker were harsh, others, including Thomas Babington Macaulay and Lytton Strachey, appreciated her insights and historical accuracy. Burney's works, particularly Evelina, continue to be celebrated for their contribution to the novel of manners, signaling the emergence of a new narrative tradition that would be perfected by later authors like Austen.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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Cecilia
(summary)
In the following essay, Hemlow chronicles the historical context that prompted Burney's writing Cecilia.
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An introduction to Evelina; or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World
(summary)
In the following essay, Bloom dissects Evelina, evaluating its characterization, structure, and critical reception.
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Fanny Burney's 'Feminism': Gender or Genre?
(summary)
In the following essay, Brown answers feminist interpretations of Burney by insisting that seemingly feminist themes result from the romance tradition from which Burney drew her inspiration.
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Fanny Burney's Heroines
(summary)
In the following essay, Simons compares the heroines in Burney's novels and discusses her treatment of women's issues.
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An introduction to The Wanderer or, Female Difficulties
(summary)
In the following essay, Drabble reevaluates The Wanderer, claiming that "Fanny Burney's common sense and common humanity survive the machinery of her own plot and counterbalance the melodrama with affectionate observation and a real optimism."
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Evelina: Writing Between Experience and Innocence
(summary)
In the following essay, Cutting-Gray claims that Evelina's writing serves as a means of transcending societally imposed restrictions on women.
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Statues, Idiots, Automatons: Camilla
(summary)
In the following essay, Johnson contends that Burney's heroines characterize her ideal of feminine propriety.
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Cecilia
(summary)
- Further Reading