The JASA International Lecture, ‘A Bridge to Austen’s mature works – and more’ – Collins Hemingway

Northanger Abbey serves as a bridge from Austen’s juvenilia to her mature novels. It plays with the conceits of the Gothic novel while also creating Austen’s first relationship story. The presentation uncovers strong evidence that NA likely began as late juvenilia—one of the “betweenities” mentioned by Austen’s niece—and evolved step by step into a mature love story. The presentation shows how Austen builds a modern novel from earlier foundations. The talk demonstrates her developing strengths with dialogue and character development when she moves beyond older literary structures. (Topic of the 2019 AGM presentation.)

Collins has lectured on Jane Austen and the Regency era in the U.S., England, and Australia. He has published in Persuasions and in the journals of the Australian society, and is a regular contributor to Jane Austen’s Regency World. He authored The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen, literary fiction based on Austen’s life.

Please note: This lecture is scheduled to be delivered via zoom.