Love and Marriage in the Novels of Jane Austen

This is the dissertation version (later published as the book) of Anne Crippen-Ruderman's wonderful examination of the relationships between the men and women of Jane Austen's novels in their attempts to attain happiness while preserving their dignity. Crippen-Ruderman's thinking has been profoundly and beneficially shaped by her teachers, Saul Bellow, David Grene, and especially Allan Bloom. Her sensitivity to the nuances of Austen's irony and artistry is truly rare. This book will be a source of continuous meditation for the genuine lovers of Jane Austen's works - "carved in ivory".