![]() ![]() In the same way, Burney has a dig at people who look down on authors by placing the following words into the mouth of the proud and obnoxious Mr Delvile: “Cecilia… secured to herself, for the future occupation of her leisure hours, the exhaustless fund of entertainment which reading, that richest, highest, noblest source of intellectual enjoyment, perpetually affords.” (2) This is reflected in Austen’s novel Emma, where the heroine befriends poor Harriet Smith and later discovers that they are both in love with Mr Knightley.īurney, like Austen, included in her work passages in support of reading: In Cecilia, the heroine befriends poor Henrietta Belfield, but is dismayed when she discovers they are in love with the same man. ![]() “The whole of this unfortunate business,” said Dr Lyster, “has been the result of PRIDE and PREJUDICE.” (1) A parallel with Emma The title of Austen’s most famous book derives from a passage in Cecilia: Her name is listed as a subscriber to Burney’s third novel, Camilla. Jane Austen admired Fanny Burney’s works and was undoubtedly influenced by them in her own writings. Cecilia is a romance but also contains a strong moral message, not only that money does not bring happiness, but also that happiness bought at the price of duty fails to bring peace and joy. Cecilia or Memoirs of an Heiress was Fanny Burney’s second novel and was first published on 12 June 1782, the day before her 30th birthday. ![]()
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