Jane Austen: Sanditon - Plan einer Verfilmung

Sanditon modern aufgepeppt

Englische Geschichte als Übung in Satire

Der Autor stellt sich vor als "A PARTIAL, PREJUDICED AND IGNORANT HISTORIAN", was mit "parteiischer vorurteilsbelasteter und unwissender Historiker" zu übersetzen sich nahe legt, auf die tatsächliche fünfzehnjährige Verfasserin freilich nicht recht zutrifft.
Ich vermute, dass Jane Austen hier absichtlich das Klischee bedient, dass Frauen nichts von Geschichte verstünden. Jedenfalls aber ist diese "Geschichte" eine Fingerübung für die satirischen Passagen ihrer späteren Romane.

Wenn sie zu Heinrich VI. schreibt:

I cannot say much for this Monarch's sense. Nor would I if I could, for he was a Lancastrian. I suppose you know all about the Wars between him and the Duke of York who was of the right side; if you do not, you had better read some other History, for I shall not be very diffuse in this, meaning by it only to vent my spleen against, and shew my Hatred to all those people whose parties or principles do not suit with mine, and not to give information.

dann kann es gut sein, dass sie sich damit über das damals beliebte Geschichtsbuch The History of England from the Earliest Times to the Death of George II von Oliver Goldsmith (1771) lustig macht.

Die folgende Passage zu Edward VI. und die Hinrichtung von dessen ersten Thronverweser lebt freilich ganz von einem grotesken Gedankenspiel.

As this prince was only nine years old at the time of his Father's death, he was considered by many people as too young to govern, and the late King happening to be of the same opinion, his mother's Brother the Duke of Somerset was chosen Protector of the realm during his minority. This Man was on the whole of a very amiable Character, and is somewhat of a favourite with me, tho' I would by no means pretend to affirm that he was equal to those first of Men Robert Earl of Essex, Delamere, or Gilpin. He was beheaded, of which he might with reason have been proud, had he known that such was the death of Mary Queen of Scotland; but as it was impossible that he should be conscious of what had never happened, it does not appear that he felt particularly delighted with the manner of it.

Den vollständigen Text findet man hier.

Die Pranke der Löwin

Der folgende Text mag einem belanglos erscheinen, die letzten Zeilen sogar ein deutlicher Beweis für Kitsch, so lange man nicht weiß, von welcher Autorin er stammt, und deshalb die Aussageabsicht nicht erkennt und nicht bemerkt, wie hier in nuce eine wichtige Passage ihres bekanntesten Romans vorgebildet ist.

"ONE Evening in December, as my Father, my Mother, and myself were arranged in social converse round our Fireside, we were, on a sudden, greatly astonished by hearing a violent knocking on the outward Door of our rustic Cot.

My Father started -- "What noise is that," (said he). "It sounds like a loud rapping at the door" -- (replied my Mother). "It does indeed," (cried I). "I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence exerted against our unoffending door." "Yes (exclaimed I) I cannot help thinking it must be somebody who knocks for admittance."

"That is another point (replied he); We must not pretend to determine on what motive the person may knock -- tho' that someone does rap at the door, I am partly convinced."

Here, a second tremendous rap interrupted my Father in his speech, and somewhat alarmed my Mother and me.

"Had we not better go and see who it is? (said she) The servants are out." "I think we had," (replied I).

"Certainly, (added my Father) by all means." "Shall we go now?" (said my Mother). "The sooner the better," (answered he). "Oh! let no time be lost" (cried I).

A third, more violent Rap than ever, again assaulted our ears. "I am certain there is somebody knocking at the Door," (said my Mother). "I think there must," (replied my Father). "I fancy the servants are returned; (said I) I think I hear Mary going to the Door." "I'm glad of it (cried my Father) for I long to know who it is."

I was right in my conjecture; for Mary instantly entering the Room, informed us that a young Gentleman and his Servant were at the door, who had lossed their way, were very cold, and begged leave to warm themselves by our fire.

"Won't you admit them?" (said I). "You have no objection, my Dear?" (said my Father). "None in the World" (replied my Mother).

Mary, without waiting for any further commands, immediately left the room and quickly returned, introducing the most beauteous and amiable Youth I had ever beheld. The servant, she kept to herself.

My natural sensibility had already been greatly affected by the sufferings of the unfortunate stranger and no sooner did I first behold him, than I felt that on him the happiness or Misery of my future Life must depend."
(Quelle)

Der Text stammt von Jane Austen und ist Teil der Brieferzählung "Love and Freindship" , die sie mit 14 Jahren schrieb. 
Wie Northanger Abbey ist schon dieser Roman eine Parodie auf die Gothic Novels (daher die scheinbar kitschigen letzten Zeilen) und das Stilmittel der Unterhaltung ist in Sense and Sensibility zur Perfektion gebracht.