Jane Austen and the Body

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Exploring the significance of physicality in Austen's work, this analysis highlights the roles of health and illness among her characters, including Mrs. Bennet and Emma. By incorporating modern body theories and 18th-century medical insights, the author offers a provocative reinterpretation of well-known novels, revealing how bodily conditions influence social dynamics and character development. This fresh perspective challenges the traditional view of Austen as solely a novelist of manners, emphasizing the deeper implications of physical presence in her storytelling.