Modern Language Association of America, an Imprint of Modern Language Association of America Approaches to Teaching Austen's Persuasion: 166 (Approaches to Teaching World Literature)

Jane Austen is a favorite with many students, whether they've read her novels or viewed popular film adaptations. But Persuasion (1817), completed at the end of her life, can be challenging for students to approach. They are surprised to meet a heroine so subdued and self-sacrificing, and the novel's setting during the Napoleonic Wars may be unfamiliar. This volume provides teachers with avenues to explore the depths and richness of the novel with both Austen fans and newcomers.Part 1, "Materials," suggests editions for classroom use, criticism, and multimedia resources. Part 2, "Approaches," presents strategies for teaching the literary, contextual, and philosophical dimensions of the novel. Essays address topics such as free indirect discourse and other narrative techniques; social class in Austen's England; the role of the navy during war and peacetime; key locations in the novel, including Lyme Regis and Bath; and health, illness, and the ethics of care. Review The purpose of this volume is to help instructors teach Persuasion in many different classroom contexts, and it succeeds marvelously. I am eager to try out the ideas gathered here! --Claudia L. Johnson, Princeton UniversityThe volume makes a valuable addition to Austen scholarship, and its pedagogical approaches are both thorough and innovative. --Laura White, University of Nebraska, Lincoln About the Author Founded in 1883, the Modern Language Association of America provides opportunities for its members to share their scholarly findings and teaching experiences with colleagues and to discuss trends in the academy. MLA members host an annual convention and other meetings, work with related organizations, and sustain one of the finest publishing programs in the humanities. For more than a century, members have worked to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature.