Tony Tanner's classic text on Jane Austen addresses the issues that have always occupied the author's most perceptive critics, and offers an illuminating and refreshing analysis of Austen's novels. Tanner shows how Austen changed from a basically accepting view of 'society' to a more questioning one and considers the problems of authority, power and the position of women, as well as the relationship between ethics, language and behaviour.

This reissued edition features a new Preface by leading Romantic scholar Marilyn Gaull who examines Tanner's background and places the original work in context. Lively and informative, the Preface helps to reinforce and explain the continued importance of Tanner's work. Accompanied by an insightful Note on the Text by Austen scholar John Wiltshire, and an expanded Bibliography and Index, this is a timely republication of a study which is now regarded as one of the finest, and most accessible, introductions to a great novelist.

TONY TANNER was sometime Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, UK, and Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Preface to Reissued Edition; M.Gaull
Note on the Text; J.Wiltshire
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Anger in the Abbey: Northanger Abbey
Secrecy and Sickness
Sense and Sensibility
Knowledge and Opinion
Pride and Prejudice
The Quiet Thing: Mansfield Park
The Match-Maker: Emma
In Between: Persuasion
The Disease of Activity: Sanditon
Bibliography
Index