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Miss Austen


A witty, poignant novel about Cassandra Austen and her famous sister, Jane.
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How is the idea of marriage being Cassandra and Tom's "one possible happy ending" complicated?

Created: 04/06/21

Replies: 2

Posted Apr. 06, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3444

How is the idea of marriage being Cassandra and Tom's "one possible happy ending" complicated?

In the prologue, we see Tom's proposal to Cassandra. What sort of story does that set us up to expect, and how are our expectations subverted? How is the idea of marriage being their "one possible happy ending" complicated?


Posted Apr. 09, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: How is the idea of marriage being ...

I think the prologue led us to believe that they would have a happy marriage. It was complicated because there were so many people and events that could (and did) get in their way. In life, marriage is one possible happy ending - people why don't marry also have happy endings.


Posted Apr. 15, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: How is the idea of marriage being ...

The prologue leads us to believe that the novel might be focused on the life of Jane's sister - on Cassie - how and where she lived and what was the focus of her life. Of course it does that, but just not in the way we expect that it might. It turns out to be more about the closeness of the two and Cassie's dedication to Jane, "the happy ending" she is determined to guarantee for her. Of course it also reveals her dedication to Tom, simply not in the way we first imagine.


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