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Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 11   AIL 1035 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Austen Characterises by Dialogue

Captions available

The idea

Where Dickens builds a man from description, Austen lets people speak. The Bennets' first exchange gives her opening a marriage rumour and gives him a flat refusal to be interested. Two lines of dialogue establish a marriage, which is a different technique for the same end.

In practice

Two lines establish a marriage.

Where people slip

Description against dialogue.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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