I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
Jane AustenRead
I . . . am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever--& of finding my own story & my own people all forestalled.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a fear of originality being stifled by the cleverness of others and an anxiety about being outdone in storytelling.
In this quote, Jane Austen expresses a common apprehension among writers: the fear that their narratives and characters may be overshadowed by the brilliance of other literary works. It reveals an inner conflict between the desire for originality and the recognition of the vast landscape of literature, where one might feel their unique voice is eclipsed by others' creativity and ingenuity.
Themes
CreativityFearOriginalityLiteratureStorytelling
In practice
Example use cases
In a literature class discussion about writer's block.
More from Jane Austen
All quotes βNobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing - fortifying and bracing - seemingly just as was wanted - sometimes one, sometimes the other. If the sea breeze failed, the seabath was the certain corrective; and where bathing disagreed, the sea air alone was evidently designed by nature for the cure.
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He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
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You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
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She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
Jane AustenRead
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