The online version of Behn’s The Adventures of the Black Lady is neat as it keeps the original order and gives numbered pages instead of letting it run down till the bottom of the page. Unfortunately, this is just what our text book does – and Robinson Crusoe as well. No chapters. If I am lucky there are at least paragraphs. Thank God writing conventions have changed since.
Behn’s, Manley’s and Haywood’s stories all sound more or less alike, they all deal with morals, love and its place in society. Especially Behn’s short story reminded me of Tom Jones – loads of people get involved in a private business, it looks bad and messed up, but in the end all falls into place.
I found Haywood’s feminist critique rather hilarious. Yes, it is somehow sad that the well-bred girl has to dress up as a whore to make the Beaux talk to her in a relaxed way – or talk to her at all. But is also fun.
September 25, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Judging by the blogs, I think we will have some interesting discussion in class about Fantomina, and what Haywood might be doing with it.