Jane Austen and Modernization

"In addition to a new, interdisciplinary perspective on Jane Austen's novels, Thompson's text is a tutorial in the work of six major sociological thinkers from the late-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. The book departs from the pattern of so many Austen studies by treating its texts, not in chronological order, but in pairs, as they best benefit from the context given by particular social theorists. These pairings bring out fresh readings, making the book a true delight. And Thompson certainly convinces us that it 'took sociology a century to catch up with Austen's insight.'" - Deborah Knuth Klenck, Professor of English, Colgate University, USA

Jane Austen wrote when sociology was being established as the new discipline to understand social issues such as urbanization and industrialization. Drawing on landmark sociologists such as Durkheim and Bourdieu, this study argues that the novels of Austen were heavily influenced by these early developments in sociology.Jane Austen wrote when sociology was being established as the new discipline to understand social issues such as urbanization and industrialization. Drawing on landmark sociologists such as Durkheim and Bourdieu, this study argues that the novels of Austen were heavily influenced by these early developments in sociology.