Air Quote by E. M. Forster
“I am a Jane Austenite, and therefore slightly imbecile about Jane Austen. My fatuous expression, and airs of personal immunity-how ill they sit on the face, say,of a Stevensonian! But Jane Austen is so different. She is my favourite author! I read and reread, the mouth open and the mind closed. Shut up in measureless content, I greet her by the name of most kind hostess, while criticism slumbers.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Bookshop, 1932
The speaker confesses a shallow, uncritical admiration for Jane Austen, highlighting a paradox of deep affection yet closed-minded reading.
In simple terms: Loving Austen without truly engaging with her work.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between fandom and critical appreciation.
Themes
literature
self-awareness
humor
Mood
reflective
self‑critical
Type
personal
literary
When to use this quote
- personal reading habits
- literary discussion groups
- book clubs
- academic study
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you move from passive admiration to active analysis?
- What does “mind closed” reveal about your reading approach?
A Different Perspective
The speaker’s self‑deprecation may mask genuine insight into their own biases.
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