To me [Edgar Allan Poe's] prose is unreadable—like Jane…
![“To me [Edgar Allan Poe's] prose is unreadable—like Jane Austin's [sic]. No there is a difference. I could read his prose on salary, but not Jane's. Jane is entirely impossible. It seems a great pity that they allowed her to die a natural death.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/370/mark-twain-22_allan-poe_to-me-edgar-allan-poe-s-prose-is-unreada_175729.png)
““To me [Edgar Allan Poe's] prose is unreadable—like Jane Austin's [sic]. No there is a difference. I could read his prose on salary, but not Jane's. Jane is entirely impossible. It seems a great pity that they allowed her to die a natural death.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Twain contrasts his ability to read Poe's prose with his inability to read Austen's, implying Austen's style is overly delicate or inaccessible to him, and laments her literary reputation being undervalued.
In simple terms: Twain finds Poe readable but not Austen, seeing her work as too delicate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize differing literary tastes and avoid dismissing authors outright.
Themes
literature
taste
criticism
gender
legacy
Mood
critical
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
opinion
comparative
When to use this quote
- academic study
- book clubs
- teaching literature
- personal reading choices
Key Concepts
reading comprehension
authorial voice
cultural bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal biases shape our reading choices?
- What value does a delicate prose bring?
A Different Perspective
Austen's style may appeal to others; personal taste varies.