Jane Austen's Families

“Jane Austen’s Families” focuses on family dynamics in Jane Austen’s six novels.  After a general introduction, which places its approach in the context of ethical criticism, it divides into two sections.  The first, “Family Dynamics,” consists of three chapters  – “The Function of the Dysfunctional Family,” “Spoilt Children” and “Usefulness and Exertion.” The three chapters of section two, “Fathers and Daughters,” look at father–daughter relationships in “Mansfield Park,” “Emma”