Austen Quote by Elizabeth Bowen
“Jane Austen, much in advance of her day, was a mistress of the use of the dialogue. She used it as dialogue should be used-to advance the story; not only to show the characters, but to advance.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Critique, 1950s
Highlights Austen’s pioneering use of dialogue to drive narrative, not just reveal character.
In simple terms: Austen used dialogue as a storytelling tool.
Key Takeaway
Study how dialogue advances plot.
Themes
literature
dialogue
storytelling
Mood
analytical
appreciative
Type
critical
educational
When to use this quote
- creative writing classes
- book clubs
- literary analysis
- teaching English
Key Concepts
narrative technique
character development
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dialogue shape your reading experience?
- Can you identify similar uses in other works?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may overlook this technique.
![“[On Jane Austen:] To believe her limited in range because she was harmonious in method is as sensible as to imagine that when the Atlantic Ocean is as smooth as a mill-pond it shrinks to the size of a mill-pond.” quote by Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d4/rebecca-west-1248_atlantic-ocean_on-jane-austen-to-believe-her-limited-in_215037.jpg)
![“[Jane] Austen was not a novelist for nothing: she knew that our stories are what make us human, and that listening to someone else's stories -- entering into their feelings, validating their experiences -- is the highest way of acknowledging their humanity, the sweetest form of usefulness.” quote by William Deresiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2bb/william-deresiewicz-15471_austen_jane-austen-was-not-a-novelist-for-nothi_62623.jpg)
