However, is it possible that if he overstates his case, he is doing this in order to further capture the reader’s interest and spark further reflection on the reader’s part? In the case of an underdeveloped argument, is he simply encouraging the reader to undertake further analysis where he leaves off. You do give examples intended to establish your point.

You suggest that “at times Mullan overstates his case or doesn’t fully develop his argument”.

In fact, readers who respond to Mullan’s style of analysis quickly realize there are many other seemingly small details in Austen which are worth exploring. Why only 20 crucial puzzles solved? Mullan has commented publically that his publisher liked the presumed marketability of a reference to 20 items but there is nothing sacred about this number. You provide a comprehensive and insightful critical profile of John Mullan’s book What Matters in Jane Austen. In the process, he demonstrates that the popular pastime of answering quizzes about the novels is not necessarily trivial, but can lead us to a deeper understanding of Jane Austen’s careful craftsmanship and her innovative contributions to the history of fiction. Mullan’s compelling analysis of detail in Jane Austen’s novels persuades us that “ Little things matter.” In a series of chapters on what he calls “ puzzles,” he asks questions about details and discusses how and why they matter. Darcy’s letter “ with the closest attention” to understand why he separated Bingley from Jane and why he doesn’t trust Wickham. “ The closer you look, the more you see,” writes John Mullan in What Matters in Jane Austen? Elizabeth Bennet learns this lesson in Pride and Prejudice when she reads and rereads Mr. The short answer is, “even the smallest detail matters.” But the bigger question is, “why does it matter?” In my review of John Mullan’s new book What Matters in Jane Austen? Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved (New York: Bloomsbury, 2012) for Austenprose, you can read more about what matters, and why:

John mullan what matters in jane austen